The Rangers knew that speaking and understanding English was going to be a hurdle for Filip Chytil, their second first-round pick (the 21st overall) in this year’s draft. But it has turned out to be a larger hurdle for the 18-year-old from the Czech Republic than first anticipated.
Just a few days ago, coach Alain Vigneault learned Chytil was struggling to follow along during the group video sessions. Despite being able to converse and understand in one-on-one situations, he got lost in the group sessions.
So before Chytil makes his preseason debut Wednesday night against the Devils at the Garden, he will have a talk with assistant head coach Scott Arniel, and fellow Czech Ondrej Pavelec, the first-year backup goalie, will be there to help with anything that might get lost in translation.
“The language was a little bit bigger barrier than we anticipated,” Vigneault said. “He’ll be fine.”
Vigneault previously said he hopes Chytil will be able to fight for an opening-night roster spot, despite having dealt with a groin injury just before training camp started. So far in practices, Vigneault has been impressed with his skill, saying Chytil “looked real well.”
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Chytil also was able to suitably answer questions for himself without a translator, and made it clear he knows that it will be quite the task for him to make the team.
“It’s a long way to be in this spot, make the roster,” he said. “There [are] many great players. I want to be a part of the team as soon as possible. I will work hard and I will see.”
Chytil also said he likes the smaller ice surface of the NHL compared to the bigger international rinks, “because it’s faster game and I can [shoot] from any position on the ice.”
Center Mika Zibanejad will not play Wednesday, sitting out a second straight game with a cold. He did practice with the non-game group on Tuesday in Tarrytown, and is expected to play either Friday against the Islanders in Bridgeport, Conn., or Saturday against the Devils in Newark.
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Vigneault is going to watch one of the final two preseason games from the press box with general manager Jeff Gorton, either Monday against the Flyers at the Garden or Tuesday at Philadelphia, the preseason finale.
The only players set to play both of the first two games are first-round pick Lias Andersson and veteran Andrew Desjardins, who is on a professional tryout. The other 16 skaters and two goalies will be different from Monday night.