Can Chytil be that 2C?

[Lancer]

Have been ruminating on the recent media coverage on Chytil and his offseason. Seems he’s had a full, busy and targeted offseason - working on specific muscles and movements to help him improve and particularly working on his shot. Then there were some NYR head office sources admitting Chytil never got a full, fair shot in his time in NY with injury and Centre depth.

What if Chytil shows up this season and grabs that 2C spot for real instead of default? What are the odds?

He’s as quick as any of the other forwards. He showed last season that he can gain the zone with control with his stick handling and skating. He gets to scoring areas in tight. If he can boost his shooting percentage - which has room for improvement - can he hit 30 goals (he managed 22 in 74 games in ‘22-‘33)?

That said, I wasn’t out of my seat over his play making. Even if he hits on all fronts, one bad hit and they’re back to square one.

But if he can put up 65-70 points while being dependable at both ends, does that end management’s hunt for a 2C and perhaps focus on an upgrade among the top-6 wingers instead?

Stupid fan optimism starts germinating at this time of year, but I don’t think this is a pie-in-the-sky probability here.

Foote did say he was comfortable going into this season with Chytil at 2C. You can call that resignation in the name of a job, or Foote may have some faith in the kid.

[theman]

The only reason I am not comfortable going into next season with Chytil as 2C is his concussion history. I am not saying he can be an outstanding 2C but think he can 'hold his own' at that position and be a decent one.

[Chef Boi RD]

The short answer? No.

[5thhorseman]

Crosby came back from concussion. It's not a death sentence.

[Meds]

Crosby came back from concussion. It's not a death sentence.

Putting Chytil and Crosby in the same sentence is rather discrediting.

[Blob Mckenzie]

The short answer? No.

One of your better posts.

He's a wet sack of shit until proves he isn't


Need a Cirelli type that can chew some hard minutes.

[5thhorseman]

Crosby came back from concussion. It's not a death sentence.

Putting Chytil and Crosby in the same sentence is rather discrediting.

Why? Do you think Chytil plays a concussion-prone style of play and Crosby doesn't?

[Chef Boi RD]

Chytil isn’t a threat at 2C, he scares nobody, he’s Mason Raymond at centre. We need a redwood tree with soft hands like a Mason McTavish in that slot.

[UWSaint]

But if he can put up 65-70 points while being dependable at both ends, does that end management’s hunt for a 2C and perhaps focus on an upgrade among the top-6 wingers instead?

He's not going to put up 65-70 points, and he's not dependable in his own end from what we saw; he seems to understand his assignments and work hard, but he doesn't have great overall awareness and made multiple unnecessary high risk plays in his own end. If he can tighten that up, he might get to average, which would be good enough if his offensive game were there.

But I also think Chytil does not need [edit] 65-70 points to be a decent second line center if the defense can be average. He's bringing good size, speed, puck possession to the table -- attributes that are plus attributes for a second line center. But more than that, how many teams have a second line center that is good for 65-70 points? Less than a third, with maybe another third thinking they might get that if everything goes great, but just as likely to have no one getting 70 points.

55 points would be good enough given the composition of this team. Of course it would be far better to get a reliable 65-70 guy -- but the price of that is significant -- even if its just for the potential. Before being traded, Bo Horvat never had a 65 point season while getting very good ice time (though did get it the year he was traded and got it in his first Islanders season). Dubois never had a 65 point season when Winnipeg traded for him, and when LA traded for him (and when Washington obtained him -- though they didn't pay a high price).

[UWSaint]

Chytil isn’t a threat at 2C, he scares nobody, he’s Mason Raymond at centre. We need a redwood tree with soft hands like a Mason McTavish in that slot.

For a couple of seasons, Mason Raymond was a very good second line winger, and if Chytil could be what Mason Raymond was in 2010-11, I'd be thrilled. Raymond had Plus speed, effective defense (especially pickpocketing and transition), good hands, good passing, decent offensive IQ. When he went down in the SCF, it mattered.

People on boards always overestimate what a typical, middle third of the league, second line player looks like.

[Tciso]

Chytl is a 2C. He is not an elite 2C, but he is clearly a 2C. I'd put him around 16-to 24th range of the 32 2Cs in the league.

I think the question people are really asking is if he can magically become a top 5 2nd line center. Highly unlikely, and we don't need him to be. We just need him to be that 40-50 point guy that he is. Our goaltending and defence is already designed to pick up some of the slack.

[Meds]

Crosby came back from concussion. It's not a death sentence.

Putting Chytil and Crosby in the same sentence is rather discrediting.

Why? Do you think Chytil plays a concussion-prone style of play and Crosby doesn't?

My comment was tongue-in-cheek 5th.....

BUT, in all seriousness.....

I've watched Chytil as briefly as the rest of us, short answer (based upon very limited sample size) is: Yes.

Chytil goes to the net and into traffic with the puck, but his head is down a bit too much. Crosby is one of the greats, he's on a different skill level in every aspect of the game than Chytil, and it is easier for players of Sid's calibre to come back from injuries because they are good enough to change their game to adjust.

Also a factor, Crosby has had 4 total documented Concussions in his career, the most recent was 9 seasons ago. The timing of his concussions was also a very considerable factor. The first was in the 2010-11 season, he returned and then suffered another one the same year during the 2011 Winter Classic. He ended up missing the remainder of the 2010-11 season, and then most of the following 2 seasons. His 3rd concussion was at the start of the 2016-17 season and he missed some time (still played 75 games), and then he was diagnosed with a 4th concussion in the playoffs of that year, but he played 24 games and earned his 3rd ring and and second Conn Smythe. He just completed his 20th NHL season.

Chytil just completed his 8th season, he's had 5 documented concussions. That a lot in such a short span. He suffered one in a game versus San Jose in which he ran into his own defenseman while pursuing a loose puck up towards the point in the offensive zone. These collisions happen, but it was a clear lack of awareness on his part. He suffered another on a collision over the blueline against the Pens after a whistle, but it didn't look full tilt. He also got one in a collision with a Hurricanes' player in which he appeared to be braced for the contact and actually threw the defending Carolina player back onto his ass. The only replay I can see where the result was a concussion for him that one could clearly say was a bad hit that was completely the fault of the other player, is the most recent one.....that's all dirty work by Dickinson.

Bottom line is that Chytil is definitely more prone to concussions, perhaps because he hasn't taken the full time to allow for recovery before returning, but there is certainly an element where he seems to lack a little bit of situational awareness, usually watching the puck at the wrong time.

It is also worth remembering that Crosby has been a target for defenders since he came into the league. Every player who is that good will have a target on them and opponents will try to get shots in to slow them down and try to make them think twice. I'd say Sid has taken a helluvalot more hits than Chytil.