The Vancouver Canucks finally ended the J.T. Miller/Elias Pettersson saga, trading the former to the New York Rangers last night.
Heading to the Rangers with Miller is defenceman Erik Brannstrom and prospect Jackson Dorrington. In return, the Canucks received Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and a conditional first-round pick in 2025.
The biggest part of the return is Chytil, who the Rangers selected 21st overall in 2017. The 25-year-old is a left shot who has spent a large portion of the 2024-25 season centring the Rangers third line. Through 41 games he’s recorded 11 goals and 20 points.
Chytil’s biggest season production wise came in 2022-23, where he managed 22 goals and 45 points through 74 outings. He also had a massive showing during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, scoring seven goals in 20 games.
Chytil never seemed to get a big opportunity with the Rangers. This season, he’s averaged less than 15 minutes in ice time. This change in scenery could allow for him to turn into the player many envisioned he would become just a few years ago.
Though his defensive play could use some work, Chytil has some great offensive skills and has shown some good finishing touch throughout his career. He also has good size at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds.
Filip Chytil, acquired by VAN, is a middle six centre with strong puck skills in transition and great hands. Willing to go to the dirty areas of the ice along the boards and in the netfront. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/KKYvrj0TpS
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) February 1, 2025
Part of the reason as to why Chytil has never seemed to fully reach his potential is injuries. He’s suffered numerous concussions over the course of his career, the most recent of which limited him to just six games last season. In large part due to his head injuries, he’s suited up for 70 or more games just once.
While the head issues are a point of concern, it also gives room to believe that he still has plenty of room to grow as a player should he remain healthy from here on out. It’s a gamble for the Canucks, but one they were seemingly comfortable enough with to pull the trigger on this trade.
The Canucks have an off day today, but are back in action tomorrow night versus the Detroit Red Wings. We don’t know where Chytil will be inserted just yet, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him get an opportunity on the second line behind Elias Pettersson.
Chytil may not be the only new face in the lineup tomorrow night, either, as the Canucks made a second deal later in the night that saw them acquire defenceman Marcus Pettersson and forward Drew O’Connor from the Pittsburgh Penguins.