Vancouver Canucks centerman Filip Chytil missed the last 16 games of the season after sustaining a concussion in the team’s March 15th win over the Chicago Blackhawks. It was yet another concussion for the 25-year-old, after brain injuries limited his 2023-24 season to 10 games and forced a brief return to his native Czechia. But good news has finally crested, with Chytil sharing that he’s feeling back to 100 percent and even skated at Canucks practice last week, per Sportsnet’s Brendan Batchelor.
Were the Canucks able to make up the six-point difference between their final result and a playoff entry, they could have been entertaining the thought of working Chytil back into the lineup soon. Even then, his return to full health is encouraging. Chytil’s career has been marred by persistent injuries – including no fewer than three suspected long-term concussions. He has never played in more than 75 games in a single season – with that mark set in his rookie season, which was ended early by a suspected concussion. Upper-body injuries forced Chytil out of long stretches through each of the next three seasons, before he returned to mostly-good health in 2022-23. That was a breakout season for Chytil, marked by a career-high 22 goals and 45 points. But he couldn’t hold his footing through either of the last two seasons.
The constant injuries are made extra frustrating by just how bourgeoning Chytil’s game seems. He seems to be emerging as a proud second-line center capable of reaching 20 goals and 50 points. Even through injury this season, Chytil totaled 13 goals and 26 points in 56 games this season – an 82-game pace of 19 goals and 38 points. The performance was evidence of a stride forward in his offensive output, after he scored 22 or 23 points in every season between 2018 and 2022 regardless of how many games he played.
Reaching full health at the cusp of the offseason could be perfectly timed for Chytil. He’s signed to the Canucks roster through the end of the 2026-27 season, and should have a clear path to a top-six center role pending any summer additions. That stability and projection will let Chytil focus solely on training and nursing his persistent injuries. With a summer of dedicated effort, next season will hopefully be the year that Chytil can embrace a year of good health.
Healthy enough to enjoy golfing!
Just in time.