NHL Draft 2017: New York Rangers Select Filip Chytil With 21st Overall Pick

Note: There were no pictures of Filip Chytil, so enjoy this picture of Sean Day in the meantime.

With their second selection in the 2017 NHL Draft, the New York Rangers went off the board yet again by picking center. Filip Chytil was projected to go near the end of the first round based on TSN’s draft rankings, so again, this was another reach but it is one with high ceiling potential. In 38 games with HC Zlin of the Czech Extraliga, Chytil recorded four goals, four assists and eight points.

His numbers are a bit underwhelming, but it’s worth noting that he is only 17 and made the leap to the top league Czech league last season. Here’s a nice little summary of Chytil’s skill set courtesy of McKeen’s hockey:

One thing to keep in mind when talking about Filip Chytil is his age. He is a very late 99-born and is almost one year younger than some other prospects, indicating that there may be more growth in him than in many others in consideration for an early round pick in this draft. He is a scoring winger who possesses good awareness of his linemates. Skating is probably one of his best assets as he is smooth on his skates and shows good overall speed. Puck skills are good as well and he is a fine puckhandler.

Assuming the Rangers make no other moves tonight or tomorrow morning, they will not have another selection until the fourth round. We will likely have some further analysis on the Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil picks in the coming days, so stay tuned for those.