Filip Chytil suffered a setback in practice for the Rangers. With only a couple of players remaining near the conclusion, Chytil was in pain on the ice for at least five minutes. Zac Jones and Jake Leschyshyn, along with some of the training staff, had to assist him off the ice.

Initially, there was no indication by any reporters on what caused the injury to Chytil. However, it was reported by multiple sources that it’s related to the previous injury he suffered on Nov. 2.

Obviously, Chytil’s well-being comes first before anything else. It was a big concern when he returned from Czechia to participate in team practice. Even skating in a no-contact red jersey couldn’t prevent another upper-body injury. As USA Today’s Vince Mercogliano asserted in his tweet above, the most important thing is Chytil’s health. If, as feared, it’s a concussion, that would be the fifth of his career.

At this point, it’s hard to imagine the Rangers letting Chytil return this season. The 24-year-old center’s hockey career is in jeopardy. I never want to consider such doomsday scenarios. However, here we are. You can only hope for the best moving forward for Chytil. We’re talking about his livelihood.

Selected by the Rangers with the 21st pick in 2017, Chytil is in his sixth season. After posting a goal and two assists in a nine-game cameo during 2017-18, he scored double digits in goals over his first two full seasons.

Following a pair of disappointing seasons in which he posted an identical eight goals with 14 assists for 22 points, Chytil set new career highs in goals (22), assists (23), points (45), and plus/minus (15) in 2022-23. That followed up a strong 2022 postseason. He had seven goals and two assists for nine points while centering the Kid Line with fellow first round picks Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko. They played a pivotal role in helping the Rangers reach the Eastern Conference Final.

In a first round defeat to the Devils, Chytil tallied a goal and three helpers for four points. Rewarded by the Rangers with an extension worth an average cap hit of $4.44 million through 2027, he’s in the first year of that contract. He registered six assists in 10 games before suffering a concussion on an accidental collision with Hurricanes forward Jesper Fast. Chytil is on the long-term injured reserve (LTIR).

With it looking grim, the Rangers probably should plan ahead without Chytil. After waiving Nick Bonino, they’re in the market for a third line center. Jonny Brodzinski can’t be asked to fill that role. Barclay Goodrow is the matchup center on the checking line that Rangers coach Peter Laviolette likes to use versus opponents’ top scoring lines.

It’s definitely been a tough couple of days for the organization. Bonino cleared waivers. The Rangers won’t assign him to the Harford Wolf Pack until following the All-Star break. Now, it looks like they’ll be without Chytil for the remainder of the season, including playoffs. A possibility before the latest setback.

The Rangers host the Golden Knights at 7 EST later tonight.