Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette reveals why this forward was selected to slot in for Filip Chytil

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Joshua Deeds
November 16, 2024 (2:27 PM)

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The New York Rangers are in the terrible position of having to fill the void Filip Chytil's upper-body injury leaves.

The Rangers do have plenty of depth they can use to fill the spot, but Chytil was one of the team's best forwards early in the season.

Chytil has been an inspiring bright spot for the Rangers with nine points (four goals and five assists) through 15 games. He's the driving force on a highly effective line with Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko, which has infused New York's bottom six with scoring punch and lengthened the lineup as a whole.2 days ago

So, Laviolette will have to shift priorities and use a bottom-six forward who has some of Chytil's capabilities( forechecking, scoring, and backchecking).

Jonny Brodzinski.

Brodzinski had originally found success in the AHL, as the Captain of the Hartford Wolfpack, but now has found a spot in the NHL with the Rangers.

He's been a bottom-six forward who Laviolette can rely upon, while Chytil heals up. Brodzinski took advantage of this opportunity last season and earned an extension with the Rangers as well.

Brodzinski on how his AHL experience has helped him in the NHL:

JB: Yeah, well, I've been playing the American League for the last three years and I felt like I've been one of the better players there. So it's playing in that first-line role the last three years in the second-best league in the world. I know I can do it. You're getting an opportunity, get the chance and they [the coaching staff] see it and then I just kind of run with the opportunity that I have. I can play first, second, third, fourth [line], whatever you need. Checking line on the powerplay, penalty kill, play center, play wing so I think that's one of the good things about being down there for the past few years is you know, I played a lot of different positions, and in a lot of different situations. So it's helped a lot.

Brodzinski has played 7 games for the Rangers this season, scoring 2 points( 1 G, 1 A), and hasn't played a game for the Blueshirts since November 1st.

Now he'll be able to showcase his talents on the dynamic third line with Kaapo Kakko, and Will Cuylle.

Often, the Rangers' best line on the ice, nightly.