Rangers F Chytil to miss remainder of season with upper-body injury

New York Rangers forward Filip Chytil will miss the rest of the NHL season after experiencing an injury setback.

Chytil, 24, has not played since early November because of suspected concussion issues that led him to go home to his native Czechia to skate with Jaromir Jagr, among others, in an attempt to get back.

“The organization's top priority throughout this process has been Filip's health, and we will continue to fully sport him in his recovery with an attempt to return for the 2024-25 season,” the Rangers said Sunday in a statement, calling it only an upper-body injury.

Chytil returned to North America this month and resumed practicing with the Rangers last week, wearing a no-contact jersey. He left the team’s morning skate Friday — his second time on the ice with the Rangers since coming back — without explanation until later that night.

“Fil suffered a setback with regard to the injury he was dealing with,” coach Peter Laviolette said after his team's 5-2 loss to Vegas. “He was evaluated this morning and will continue to be evaluated. He’s at his house here in New York.”

Chytil said Sunday in a social media post that it has been the hardest three months of his life, a stretch that has not been easy for his family, those closest to him and the team.

“We gotta stay positive even in these tough moments and just think what is ahead of us," Chytil said on Instagram. ”Thanks to you all for nice messages! I’ll come back stronger than ever!"

A message seeking comment or additional details sent to Chytil's agent was not immediately returned.

A 2017 first-round pick, Chytil's career has been hampered by injuries since he made his debut more than six years ago. When on the ice, he has been productive with 157 points in 367 regular-season and playoff games.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL