AREFilip Chytil hasn’t played for the New York Rangers in almost two months. Chytil was placed on injured reserve (IR) immediately after the Blueshirts’ November 2nd game against the Carolina Hurricanes due to an upper-body ailment that was ultimately determined to be a concussion. Since then, he has not been with the club.
It’s already late December and HC It has been verified by Peter Laviolette that Chytil is still skating alone. But since his most recent concussion, he hasn’t participated in team practices. Since he doesn’t have a realistic return date, the Rangers should start thinking about their alternatives for a
replacement center at the trade deadline.
How would the Rangers come up with the money to sign a new center?
Even though Chytil’s injury has created a huge hole in the lineup, New York is still not prioritizing it as the trade deadline approaches. The Rangers will surely try to address the right wing position in the first line immediately, as it is in dire need of one. Using the new center at positionWith two on the priority list and the restricted cap space available to the Blueshirts, the Rangers will find it extremely challenging to finance a second player.
Fortunately, Vincent Trocheck has filled in well as the second-line center following Chytil’s concussion. The Rangers will only need to search for a bottom-six player if Chytil is down for an extended length of time and they do need to add a new center before the trade deadline. This would be far less expensive, so the Blueshirts could realistically purchase both that and a winger.Who could work well in New York?
Sean Monahan, a center for the Montreal Canadies, seems to be one of the greatest possibilities available right now. Monahan is still playing well this year, despite the fact that the Canadiens’ lackluster play has undoubtedly affected his stats.
It’s not his offensive prowess that draws us in, but rather Monahan’s contract and style of play. With a salary charge of less than $2 million, he is a cheap choice should the Rangers decide to pursue a top-six winger as well. He’s also regarded as a tough, defensive forward, and his abilities would be a great complement to Will Cuylle, Blake Wheeler, and (maybe) Kaapo Kakko on the Rangers’ third line.
Though the NHL trade deadline is still some time off, the Blueshirts ought to start investigating Monahan right now. It would be better to add additional depth as soon as possible to allow Laviolette more time to sign a club that truly deserves to win the Stanley Cup.
