GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Consider it nothing less than a breakthrough for center Filip Chytil.
The 18-year-old Czech, selected 21st overall at the NHL draft in June, made the Rangers opening-day roster, and skated between Mats Zuccarello and Rick Nash at Thursday’s practice.
“He’s earned the right to be here,” said general manager Jeff Gorton, who along with coach Alain Vigneault, have nine games to evaluate whether Chytil should be kept on the roster and use a year on his entry-level contract, or be re-assigned. “So far, he’s handled it well,” said Vigneault. “Can he handle it moving forward?