Player development isn’t always a straight-line trajectory. There are often twists and turns, learning lessons on the fly and moments of adversity that can shape a hockey player’s path from greenhorn to established pro.
The bar of expectations was set high when the Rangers drafted Filip Chytil at 21st overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Through 84 career NHL games, the 19-year-old center has recorded 12 goals and 14 assists. That’s not the start Blueshirt diehards were hoping for, but keep in mind the most important number of all: his tender age of 19.
His post-All-Star break production of two goals and three assists in 28 games may be alarming, but time is on Chytil’s side. It’s not uncommon for young players to hit the wall on the path to stardom.
Let’s use former Ranger J.T. Miller as an example. Miller combined for 10 points in his first 56 regular-season games as a 19- and 20-year-old. He struggled to escape Alain Vigneault’s bottom-six in his early years, mostly because of his deficiencies on the defensive end of the ice. Despite that, Miller’s potential as an energetic, scoring wing was obvious.
Miller eventually blossomed into a finely-tuned offensive weapon and the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Tampa Bay Lightning are benefitting from his growth. The 26-year-old has collected 63 points (23 goals, 40 assists) in 92 games since arriving in Tampa as part of the February 2018 blockbuster deal that sent former Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh to the Bolts.
Look at how the Rangers’ alternate captain, Mika Zibanejad, is faring at age 25. Zibanejad has flourished into an effective two-way center whose production has risen as part of an improved all-around game.
Having been drafted sixth overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2011, Zibanejad was under pressure to justify the Sens’ faith in his ability to develop into a franchise player. There was a time when media and fans in the Canadian capital questioned whether the Swede could shed the label of playing passively and make good on his promise. Eventually, the Sens opted to swap Zibanejad and a 2018 second-round pick for Derick Brassard and a 2018 seventh-round pick.
No one is questioning Zibanejad’s ability or desire in 2019. Look at him now. He’s a ball of ceaseless energy for the Blueshirts, and having his finest statistical season with 72 points (30 goals, 42 assists) in 79 games.
It’s important not to rush to conclusions on Chytil’s future. He’s still a teenager with little more than a full, 82-game season of career games under his belt. There will be questions for him to answer when he arrives at training camp in September, and it will be up to him to prove that he’s ready to take strides forward and shoulder more responsibility.