Filip Chytil

Chytil took a major step forward in 2022-23, holding his own as a third-line center while racking up 22 goals, 23 assists, 177 shots on goal and a plus-15 rating over 74 games. The 23-year-old suffered an upper-body injury during the IIHF World Championship, but he's expected to be fine for training camp, where he's likely to play in a middle-six role again. He doesn't add much physicality, and the Rangers' strong top six prevents him from getting much power-play usage, but Chytil could have some appeal as a depth pick in some fantasy formats. His shooting percentage will likely dip from the 12.4 percent mark last year, but a 20-goal, 45-point campaign isn't an unreasonable expectation for 2023-24.

Chytil will be entering his fifth full NHL season and already has more than 250 games under his belt despite the fact he'll turn just 23 years old right before training camp begins. He spent virtually all of last season centering New York's third line, posting eight goals and 22 points in 67 games, his exact totals from 42 games a year prior. Chytil was much better in the playoffs, managing seven goals and nine points in 20 games. The Rangers have dabbled with Chytil playing the wing, but that's not the preferred outcome for the team. Chytil has very little redraft value, but he should still be rostered in all dynasty formats. There's still upside here.

Chytil started the 2020-21 season off hot, posting a pair of goals and a helper through his first five games, but an accidental collision in a game in Pittsburgh in late January cost him 14 games and over a month's worth of action. Chytil has never posted more than 14 goals or 23 points in any one season, but he's considerably more talented than those numbers would suggest. The Rangers are looking to upgrade at the center position and it's not out of the realm of possibility Chytil could be included in those trade discussions. A move would probably be a best-case scenario for his fantasy value, as Chytil is locked into a third-line role in New York.

Chytil has scored 23 points in each of his first two seasons, but he needed just 60 games to reach that mark last year and raised his goal total from 11 to 14. Having just turned 21 in September, the Czech center will likely open the season on the third line but could earn a promotion to the second line with a hot start. If he remains separated from New York's top wingers and sees limited power-play time like last season, Chytil's output will likely remain pedestrian, but a strong start could snowball into a larger role and lead to a breakout season for the 2017 first-round pick.

Chytil doesn't turn 20 until September, but he already has 84 games of NHL experience under his belt, including a 23-point campaign over 75 appearances last season. The Rangers have high hopes for the 2017 first-rounder, who has good size at 6-foot-2 and 208 pounds while occasionally flashing elite skill. Chytil has a high ceiling, but his production this season will come down to the pace of his development. While there's a chance he settles into a top six role and doesn't look back, Chytil might be another year away from contributing at that level.

He was taken 14 picks later than teammate Lias Andersson in the 2017 draft at 21st overall, but Chytil probably has the greater fantasy upside between the two young Blueshirts. The Czech center produced 31 points in 46 games at AHL Hartford as an 18-year-old to go with three points in nine NHL contests, and he'll have his eyes set on a top-six role with the big club heading into his second year in North America. You can expect some growing pains given his age, but Chytil could start posting lofty point totals as soon as this season.

The second of the Rangers' two first-round picks in the 2017 draft, Chytil played pro hockey in his native Czech Republic last year, netting a meager eight points in 38 games for Zlin. He won't be 18 until September, so Chytil is quite unlikely to spend time with the Rangers this season; instead, he'll either stay in the Czech league or come over to the AHL to continue his development. Monitor his progress in dynasty formats.