Filip Chytil making ‘positive’ Rangers strides with Game 1 vs. Panthers looming
The Rangers are almost assuredly going to hold Filip Chytil’s playing status close to the vest until 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday night when they hit the ice for warm-ups ahead of Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Panthers.
But the signs continue to look good for the Czech to come back into the lineup after his triumphant return hit a snag after he played Game 3 against the Hurricanes then did not play for the rest of the series.
Chytil skated as a full participant at Monday’s practice and was on the third line along with Alex Wennberg and Kaapo Kakko.
He also drew in on the second power-play unit.
Nothing is certain. But this is how the Rangers should want things to look for Chytil to be on track to play on Wednesday night.
“Remove the part [about Chytil] you want to get into, for anybody that comes into the lineup, we’ve gotta do our job,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “If you’re a defensive physical player, you gotta bring that to the table. If you’re a guy that creates, you gotta come in and create. If you’re a great defender, come in and defend.
“Had another good practice today, I thought Fil looked good. Had a good practice, so that’s a positive for us.”
The Rangers did not allow Chytil to speak to a Post reporter after Monday’s practice, but one day prior, he made clear he wants to play in the conference finals.
Chytil’s regular season lasted just 10 games before he suffered what is believed to be his fourth documented concussion.
It took until Game 3 of the second round to get back — with a trip home to Czechia to reset in January — but after returning, he suffered “illness” and “soreness” which kept him out of the rest of the series.
With Chytil playing on the third line, Will Cuylle dropped to the fourth line alongside Barclay Goodrow and Jimmy Vesey at Monday’s practice.
Matt Rempe, Jonny Brodzinski and Blake Wheeler all skated as extras.
Ryan Lindgren was absent from practice due to maintenance. Zac Jones skated in Lindgren’s usual spot next to Adam Fox as a placeholder. The defense pairs were otherwise the same as in Game 6 against the Hurricanes, with K’Andre Miller and Jacob Trouba skating as the second pair.
The Rangers signed 2023 sixth-round pick Dylan Roobroeck to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Monday.
The 19-year-old Roobreck scored 26 goals with 46 assists for the Ontario Hockey League’s Oshawa Generals this season, his third in the OHL.
Roobreck also signed an amateur tryout agreement with the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack, allowing him to join the minor league team immediately as it contests the Atlantic Division Finals against Hershey.