Filip Chytil

[VanJack]

We've seen Chytil in enough games to have a pretty good book on him. You can see why he really never rose above being a third-line center in New York.

He's big, fast and can gain the blueline with ease. But then things just seem to break down. He skates himself into traffic--and really can't seem to find his wingers to generate much in the way of scoring chances. That line with Lekkerimaki and Debrusk looked dangerous at times--but the bottom line is nothing across the goal-line.

I suppose there's chance he can become more than the sum of his parts in Vancouver. After all, he missed a lot of time with injuries and concussions in New York. so he's still relatively early in his development curve.

But expecting him to be a top-two center, might be wishful thinking on the part of the Canuck faithful.

 

[docbenton]

He needs to be stronger on pucks at times and better positionally. But I still think speed and skill are underrated in general. Even if he turns some pucks over at least he got those pucks and transitioned the puck to a dangerous area in the first place. The turnover doesn't look good, but a slower, less skilled player would have never touched the puck in the first place. And if the play works then it's a grade A chance. He's getting and creating chances every game, even if his initial dominance of the puck has faded quite a bit.

He does need to be quicker and more decisive to shoot IMO, he needs to have a mindset where he makes one move then right away rip the puck. He actually does have a good shot but doesn't get it off and through defenders nearly enough.

 

[Just A Bit Outside]

I like Brittle Chytil but he's a middle 6 C who can play 2 C in a pinch but should be a 3 C on a better team.

 

[MS]

I didn't like this acquisition at all but was pleasantly surprised by his first couple games.

Since then ... yuck. Chances have dried up, production has dried up, he's absolutely terrible defensively and has looked like the same player I didn't really like at all with NYR. And now he's had another concussion (which a bunch of people have correctly been saying looked inevitable the way he was playing) and it's probably 50/50 whether his career is over.

Terrible trade target.

 

[Nucky]

I liked his game, think he brought elements that this team lacks. Good size/speed combo, excellent at zone entries.

But he was a bad trade target because of the head injuries. After that hit last night I think he should strongly consider retirement if it's a concussion, it isn't worth ruining your future over this game. Seems like a good dude.

 

[VanJack]

I'm beginning to think that the Canucks were always viewing Chytil as a 'stop-gap' in the middle until they can acquire somebody else in the off-season.

That hit last night was a violent one, but no worse than what lot of NHL players face during a normal game. The problem is, concussions are cumulative. It takes less and less of a hit along the boards to cause the symptoms to flare up again.

By the time Michael Ferland was winding down his career with the Cancuks--he couldn't even sustain a light bump along the boards without landing back on injured reserve. And finally he heeded the advice of his family and agent, to pack it in.

I don't know what it is with the Canucks acquiring guys with a concussion history. They handed out a three-year contract to Ferland; and a ridiculous four-year contract to Tucker Poolman--that they finally got out from under only this year.

Obviously the Canucks Medical Staff must have a role in examining the medical reports and clearing these guys to play. So somebody must have told Allvin that Chytil was worth the gamble. But given his history, it wasn't a question of 'if' but 'when' he'd go down again.

 

[HairyKneel]

We've seen Chytil in enough games to have a pretty good book on him

No we haven't.

 

[Bourdon]

I'm beginning to think that the Canucks were always viewing Chytil as a 'stop-gap' in the middle until they can acquire somebody else in the off-season.

That hit last night was a violent one, but no worse than what lot of NHL players face during a normal game. The problem is, concussions are cumulative. It takes less and less of a hit along the boards to cause the symptoms to flare up again.

By the time Michael Ferland was winding down his career with the Cancuks--he couldn't even sustain a light bump along the boards without landing back on injured reserve. And finally he heeded the advice of his family and agent, to pack it in.

I don't know what it is with the Canucks acquiring guys with a concussion history. They handed out a three-year contract to Ferland; and a ridiculous four-year contract to Tucker Poolman--that they finally got out from under only this year.

Obviously the Canucks Medical Staff must have a role in examining the medical reports and clearing these guys to play. So somebody must have told Allvin that Chytil was worth the gamble. But given his history, it wasn't a question of 'if' but 'when' he'd go down again.

Pretty sure Chytil was more of a cap dump, that could have some usefulness but if it went the way it's gone for the last few years (concussions), we'd just LTIR him.

He was never going to elevate to a 2nd line center, nor is he a true fit for 3C because he has not reliable defensively. Concussions will always be a part of his game when healthy, because he'll avoid hits more and more down the line. That's not a reliable player in any capacity.

I don't even think it was a particularly egregious hit. I could have merited a 2 minute boarding, but even a game or 2 would have been a stretch. You see even worse hits on the daily. If it's a concussion, I feel for Chytil and like people were saying before the start of the season, he probably needs to think about life after hockey instead of playing.

 

[HairyKneel]

I didn't like this acquisition at all but was pleasantly surprised by his first couple games.

Since then ... yuck. Chances have dried up, production has dried up, he's absolutely terrible defensively and has looked like the same player I didn't really like at all with NYR. And now he's had another concussion (which a bunch of people have correctly been saying looked inevitable the way he was playing) and it's probably 50/50 whether his career is over.

Terrible trade target.

That concussion was inevitable? Really? He got buried from behind. He has some good elements to his game. Trade target? Lets not forget the prick we traded for him only gave a one team list

 

[MS]

That concussion was inevitable? Really? He got buried from behind. He has some good elements to his game. Trade target? Lets not forget the prick we traded for him only gave a one team list

He loves carrying the puck through the neutral zone (which is good, and makes him very good at zone entries) but he carries it like Lindros and doesn't keep his head up and on a swivel and he's nearly been wiped out several times already. And this is what Ranger fans have said too - you admire his bravery carrying the puck but you cringe when he's doing it.

This hit wasn't exactly that but he's had a pile of concussions and extended PCS absences in his career, and this felt very inevitable.

I have never liked this player much and thought he was pretty much a worthless asset when we acquired him based on his production/poor defensive play/salary/injury history. Nothing has really changed my opinion so far.

 

[Peen]

I think MS’ evaluation of this player is spot on. I can’t comment on the rangers portion but everything we’ve seen here… he’s nailed it.

I’d try and move him this summer and bring back Suter now.

 

[krutovsdonut]

the whiplash on his head on that hit was terrible.

i like his kamikaze jam but realistically he's probably doomed.

 

[sting101]

Whatever suck it up buttercup.

Most jobs have occupational hazards these guys get to retire in their 30s. Probably do more head damage partying than a bunch of concussions. If its that bad they can consult with their doctors and make the decision.

Was a bad target because he's injury prone and not even a great 3C given his lack of vision hockeyIQ and questionable defence.

 

[JT Milker]

I didn't like this acquisition at all but was pleasantly surprised by his first couple games.

Since then ... yuck. Chances have dried up, production has dried up, he's absolutely terrible defensively and has looked like the same player I didn't really like at all with NYR. And now he's had another concussion (which a bunch of people have correctly been saying looked inevitable the way he was playing) and it's probably 50/50 whether his career is over.

Terrible trade target.

To be fair, I think he was only a trade target in that NYR were the only team to offer material value for Miller and we needed a C, and they were willing to trade him. They clearly really wanted that 1st to use in the subsequent trade with Pitts.

 

[VancouverJagger]

And instead of Chytil we should have targeted? I'm quite ok with targeting this guy - he's exactly the type of guy we should have targeted - someone with some skill and upside. This is specifically noting the position we were in - a tough spot with limited options. What else could we have gotten from the Rags that would have made more sense? Laf was never an option ........Overall I still think we did great on that trade considering we were bent over a barrell.

He started off great but has gone pretty bland as of late............I still think he brings an element we are sorely missing (zone entries and speed) he def has some work to do though.....learning how to better use his teammates.......if anything this re enforces to management that we need a #2 guy.

 

[StickShift]

I didn't like this acquisition at all but was pleasantly surprised by his first couple games.

Since then ... yuck. Chances have dried up, production has dried up, he's absolutely terrible defensively and has looked like the same player I didn't really like at all with NYR. And now he's had another concussion (which a bunch of people have correctly been saying looked inevitable the way he was playing) and it's probably 50/50 whether his career is over.

Terrible trade target.

I've always suspected the Canucks view Chytil as an avenue to cap-space, rather than as a roster player asset.

Keep in mind that Chytil will only be 25 years old at the time of the next buyout window—meaning they will only be on the hook for 33% of his remaining cap-hit if they were to buy him out. The cap-hit of such a buy-out would be only $281k, $1.4m, $718k, $718k.

Ownership was more than happy to get out of the Virtanen and OEL contracts. I wonder if they would do it again for Chytil if they thought they could spend that cap on a UFA like Marner or Ehlers...

 

[Brookbank]

I think his career is over personally. So the trade ended up being Oconnor Mancini and the pick.

Whatever Miller did behind the scenes to force the trade , it better be spicy. Because this version of the Canucks is done without him

 

[IslandBeast]

Baertschi 2.0

 

[Canucker]

Count me among the people who were "ok" with Chytil being a part of the deal...I didn't want to move Miller, and I didn't want to send him to the Rags, but it is what it is...I thought Chytil might have had some untapped potential with his size and speed, but after watching him closer in a Canucks jersey....love the speed...but super cringe at the style of play, he may not be at fault for this most recent concussion, but the way he plays he's lucky he wasn't concussed already....I've seen 3-4 times where he's been just missed getting hit hard, he's not going to last much longer unless he gains another level of awareness on the ice.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

To be fair, I think he was only a trade target in that NYR were the only team to offer material value for Miller and we needed a C, and they were willing to trade him. They clearly really wanted that 1st to use in the subsequent trade with Pitts.

Also Miller was willing to wave to only very few teams.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

I think his career is over personally. So the trade ended up being Oconnor Mancini and the pick.

Whatever Miller did behind the scenes to force the trade , it better be spicy. Because this version of the Canucks is done without him

Think of it like this.

The trade 100% does not happen with out Quinn Hughes giving it the thumbs up.

 

[VanJack]

Sadly, I think a lot of the assessments of Chytil by posters on this thread are pretty well 'bang-on'.

He was basically a 'cap dump' by the Rangers, and a contract the Canucks were forced to accept in order for New York to take on the entirety of Miller's $8m contract with term.

I think they probably hoped they could get through the rest of the season with Chytil down the middle--but didn't really see him as a viable long-term solution.

Now that he's back in concussion protocol--it's not a big stretch to suggest that he's probably played his last game for the Canucks. He either gets bought out this off-season; or like Ferland or Poolman, lands on LTIR for the remaining two years of his contract.

Either way, the Canucks gain back most of the cap room on his $4.45m contract.

 

[Hansen]

You really have to hope for a guy that this doesnt have long term consequences, especially on quality of life.

That said if he is out long term we have a shit ton of cap space this summer. You can probably put money on Sam Bennett being the target

 

[FuzzyTitus]

Does a player need to be cleared and healthy to be bought out? I thought yes.

He may just spend time on LTIR until his contract is up.

 

[VanJack]

You really have to hope for a guy that this doesnt have long term consequences, especially on quality of life.

That said if he is out long term we have a shit ton of cap space this summer. You can probably put money on Sam Bennett being the target

Agreed. But it's just too bad 2025 will be a particularly weak year on the UFA market. But if the Canucks wanted to go 'big-game hunting' with Marner, they'd certainly now have the cap-room to do it.

But their critical need is center--and I just don't see a lot of options on either the trade or UFA front.