Filip Chytil remains a fan favorite in the Big Apple. The former Rangers center who was traded to the Canucks as part of a package for J.T. Miller, left today’s game against the Capitals following a hard Tom Wilson open ice hit late in the first period.

Just after Chytil released a pass, Wilson caught him with a clean hit that went through his upper torso, injuring him with 36 seconds left in the first. A visibly shaken up Chytil had to be helped off the ice.

The hit was immediately reviewed for an interference major. However, it was a tad late. Right after Chytil released the puck, a committed Wilson caught him shoulder to chest with a heavy hit that sent him down to the ice. It came approximately 0.5 seconds after.

Unfortunately, it’s the latest upper-body injury Chytil’s sustained. During his seven-year Rangers career, he was marred by injuries. The worst came when he suffered the fourth concussion of his career in a game against the Hurricanes on Nov. 2, 2023. Former teammate Jesper Fast caught him with a hit at center ice. I

After playing only 10 games, he was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season due to a setback in practice two days before Jan. 28, 2024. He returned during the second round of the playoffs on May 9 against the Hurricanes. He came back and played six games without recording a point.

After staying mostly healthy in the first half of 2024-25, Chytil had 11 goals and nine assists for 20 points in 41 games. On Jan. 31, 2025, he was traded along with Victor Mancini and a 2025 top 13 lottery protected first round pick in exchange for Miller, Jackson Dorrington, and Erik Brunnstrom. He concluded his Rangers career with 140 goals, 100 assists, and 240 points in 377 games. If he’d stayed healthy, chances are he would’ve produced more consistently and probably remained a Broadway Blueshirt.

In Vancouver, Chytil partook in 15 games to conclude last season, finishing with two goals and four helpers for six points. Unfortunately, another concussion ended his year. In a game against the Blackhawks, he was hit from behind by Jason Dickinson on Mar. 15, 2025. Astonishingly, there was no call on the play. It was the fifth concussion of his career.

If he suffered a likely sixth concussion in today’s game on the Wilson hit, it’s hard to say what Chytil should do next. Head injuries are a very serious issue in the league. With concussion protocol, which he had to undergo this afternoon, teams are much more cautious when it comes to these kind of injuries. For the 26-year-old former Rangers 2017 first round pick, this isn’t his first rodeo. How much more punishment can he take?

We’re talking about Chytil’s well being. There’s more important things than playing hockey. He has persevered before to battle back through long rehab to get back. But at what cost. Now, both the Canucks team doctor and Chytil will make that determination. His family will probably be very involved. So will wife Nikol Hlavackova, who he finally tied the knot with on July 12.

Wishing Chytil the very best in his recovery.