Rangers’ Chytil says ready to roll with the punches after lost season

GREENBURGH — For anyone holding their breath when Filip Chytil gets hit this season, the Rangers center has this message: Don’t worry, because he’s not.

“If I was scared, I could play somewhere in the fourth division (of the professional league) in the Czech Republic right now and enjoy my life,” Chytil said after the Rangers’ double-team practice Saturday, the third day of training camp. “But I’m back (in the NHL). I’m 100 percent ready to work on myself, be 100 percent myself and I’m not afraid of any contact.”

Chytil missed the final 72 games of last season with a concussion that was never officially identified by the Rangers but almost certainly was one. But he returned to play six playoff games and was cleared to participate in camp, according to Rangers general manager Chris Drury.

Coach Peter Laviolette said he had no concerns the Czech center would be hurt in practice or a pre-season game.

“Given that he’s been given the green light to play, I’m confident he can take a hit,” Laviolette said. “Right now, he’s perfectly healthy. There’s no sign of caution.”

Chytil, who turned 25 on Sept. 5, has reportedly suffered several concussions in the past, and when an unintentional hit from former teammate Jesper Fast in a Nov. 3 game against Carolina landed him on injured reserve, concern was high for him. After a post-Christmas trip to the Czech Republic, he appeared ready to return to action in late January. But he suffered a setback, and the Rangers announced he would be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

He joined them for practice when the playoffs began and was able to play late in the second round. He took some hits in the games he played (“it was good,” he said) and said Saturday it was important for him to play in those games.

“I had a great two months with the whole team, all the way through the playoffs,” he said. “And then when I played … I remembered the speed of the most important games of the season.”

Five days after the Rangers were eliminated in the Eastern Conference final, Chytil said he was back on the ice with his coach in the Czech Republic. He had a fresh mind on where he needed to be, and that helped motivate him during his summer workouts, he said. He says he feels good now and is looking forward to playing some pre-season games.

“I haven’t played since Nov. 3,” he said. “I’ve only played five or six games in the playoffs, and I’ve only done 10 percent of what I could do.

“So I want to get going, work hard and now, as it’s pre-season, I’m going to remember what I was missing and take it step by step with each game… until the first game of the season.”

Kakko’s time?

Kaapo Kakko, a longtime teammate of Chytil, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NHL draft who is entering his sixth training camp with the Rangers, was asked if he thought this would be the year he finally broke through after five seasons marred by injuries, illness and inconsistent production.

“I think that’s the question I ask myself every year when I come back here,” said Kakko, who signed a one-year deal over the summer and has skated on an updated version of the old Kid Line, featuring Chytil and Will Cuylle, so far in training camp. “I felt like two years ago I had my best season, and then I was ready to break out last year.

“So maybe this time it’s better not to think about it, just try to do my best,” he said. “I hope it comes.”

Maybe being on the same line as Chytil again will benefit Kakko.

“There’ll be different combinations throughout training camp, but I think there’s a little bit of chemistry between those two,” Laviolette said.

“I don’t even know how to explain it, but there’s a connection between us,” Chytil said. “We don’t even have to talk about it, but it’s there, and it’s worked from the first year we played together.”

Rempe is in good shape

Last year’s sensation Matt Rempe has made a name for himself by winning most of the end-of-practice sprints so far in camp.

“He came in in great shape,” Laviolette said. “He’s been training hard this summer off the ice and he’s been training hard on the ice. He’s been trying to work on every aspect of his game to come back and give himself the best chance.” … The Rangers will play their first preseason game Sunday in Boston against the Bruins. Laviolette said he expects about half of the regular-season roster to be in action. Puck drop is at 5 p.m. and the game will be televised on MSG-TV.