Rookie Watch: Chytil follows in footsteps of idol Jagr with Rangers

Filip Chytil was no different than any other teenage hockey player growing up in the Czech Republic, studying video of Jaromir Jagr with aspirations of one day playing in the NHL.

"He's the big idol for everyone in Czech," the New York Rangers forward said. "He's one of the best players not only in our country, but NHL history, and you can't help but appreciate everything he's done for so long."
Chytil, who is 6-foot-2, 208 pounds, was chosen in the first round (No. 21) in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Rangers and has a body type and style reminiscent of Jagr, who was 6-2, 228 when selected No. 5 in the 1990 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
"With my size, I'm trying to do the things that made [Jagr] good by playing strong in all areas of the ice," Chytil said. "But it is hard to play against the best players in the world, so I have to use my body, and my size and do the little details. When I watched [Jagr], he was so good at shielding the puck with his body; he was one of the best at doing this."

Jagr played four seasons with the Rangers, had 123 points (54 goals, 69 points) with them in 2005-06, and was their captain from 2006-08. Now Chytil plays for one of the nine teams his idol played for.
"When I was drafted by the Rangers, I knew Madison Square Garden was one of the best arenas in the NHL," Chytil said. "We have great fans. New York is the biggest city I've ever been. Prague is the biggest city in Czech Republic and one of the nicest, but I can't compare it to New York. I like to hang out in the city on off days, go to the restaurants for lunch or dinner."
The 19-year-old has come a long way as a rookie for the Rangers this season after playing in nine games and picking up three points (one goal, two assists) last season. He not only is one of three players to score 10 or more career goals as a teenager with the Rangers (Mike Allison in 1980-81, Alexei Kovalev in 1992-93), but the only teen to have a five-game goal streak (Nov. 12-21) in franchise history.
"He's got great speed, hands and a great head on his shoulders and the thing about him is I think all three of those things work really well together," Rangers coach David Quinn said. "A lot of guys have all three of those things but can't bring them together, but I think Fil's hands, head and feet all work together.
"He thinks fast and can play fast, so when you have those abilities you're going to create offense for yourself and he's a guy who can create offense on his own."

Chytil is tied for 13th with Minnesota Wild forward Jordan Greenway among NHL rookies with 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 61 games and is tied for fifth on the Rangers with defenseman Tony DeAngelo in minor penalties drawn with 12.
Chytil also has five points (two goals, three assists) and six shots on goal on the power play.
"He's a young kid and it takes a while to adjust and gain confidence in this League," Rangers forward Jesper Fast said. "He was a little hesitant at first, but now he's taking charge, skating, and doing all the stuff that makes him who he is. He's a big guy, strong and fast, and he has the skills."
Fast said what makes Chytil so dynamic as a rookie is his skating.
"He just needs to choose when to pick his spots to do the stuff he's good at," Fast said. "He's a young kid, learning, and has a great future ahead of him. I think he's going to be an impact player in this League."
Chytil is getting accustomed to the rigorous NHL schedule, making sure he remains a threat when he is in the lineup. He's been a healthy scratch four times this season.
"Consistency is the No. 1 thing for a young player because when you go through the hockey world as a teenager and have the talent [Chytil] has, he's been able to get away with an awful lot just because he's had the puck probably more than everybody else and was getting points," Quinn said. "At this level it's more difficult to do that and I think sometimes you have to learn the hard way to understand what it takes to have success at this level day-in and day-out.
"I think he's made a lot of progress this year, but he's also had to step back every now and then, which is very common for a 19-year-old kid playing in the NHL."