After spending the entirety of the 2018-2019 season in the NHL, Chytil was the favorite to win a wide-open preseason competition for the team’s second-line center position. That he not only did not win the job but failed to make the team altogether was rather stunning, though not necessarily uncalled for. Chytil’s preseason appearances were underwhelming and while he held his own in his rookie season, he didn’t play so well as to earn the benefit of the doubt.
While the Rangers still search the current roster for a passable second-line center (among other things), Chytil has taken the demotion to the AHL in stride.