NHL Rumors: Rangers Starting Extension Talks With Center

The New York Rangers have a fair deal of work to do before next season in regards to extending their young players. Along with the focus of this piece, Filip Chytil, the team also has Alexis Lafreniere, Vitali Kravtsov, K'Andre Miller, Zac Jones, and Libor Hajek as set to become restricted free agents.

Arthur Staple reported that there have been early talks between the Rangers and Chytil's agent on a new deal but no progress has been made yet due to cap uncertainties. These cap uncertainties may lie in how much the cap will go up and how much the Rangers will have to spend on each of their young players in need of a new contract.

The cap isn't expected to go up significantly just yet which could lead to another bridge deal. Right now Chytil is stuck as the third line centre without much room to elevate due to Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck centering the top two lines. Chytil seems to fit into the third line centre role quite nicely though between Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko. It worked in the playoffs last season and is once again working. As a third line centre, not a lot of money will be allotted to Chytil right now until he undoubtedly shows the ability to move up the lineup. He is catching Trocheck in terms of production as he has two more goals but five fewer points this season.

The Rangers' 2017 first round pick is progressing at a slower rate, but still progressing. I don't think a long-term deal is in store just yet, but a couple of years down the line seems more likely if he continues to produce.