Filip Chytil practices with Rangers for the first time in nearly three months

TARRYTOWN − Nearly three months after what appeared to be a glancing blow turned Filip Chytil’s season upside down, he’s taken a major step toward reviving his career.

The Rangers center skated with the team Thursday for the first time since sustaining a concussion on Nov. 2. He was wearing a red non-contact jersey, but his presence on the MSG Training Center ice represented the most significant sign of progress yet.

"It’s day one, and so he’s starting up the process of working up to speed," head coach Peter Laviolette said. "It was good to have him out there."

It’s been a long and arduous process for the 24-year-old, who has suffered at least four concussions in his career with worsening symptoms each time, one person with knowledge of the situation told lohud.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. The latest was the result of an open-ice bump from Carolina Hurricanes forward Jesper Fast, causing Chytil to miss 37 games and counting.

As his recovery stalled, the Rangers granted him permission to return to his native Czechia in late December for what Laviolette deemed “a reset.” That’s where Chytil spent the last three-plus weeks rehabbing, with his recent improvement fueling optimism that a return is possible this season.

He flew back to New York on Monday and has now been cleared for limited team activities. No. 72 participated in some drills Thursday while rotating in on the third line between Will Cuylle and Kaapo Kakko, but kept a relatively safe distance whenever the intensity got ramped up.

There are still a few hurdles to clear, most notably getting to the point where team doctors deem him ready for full contact and seeing how he responds to that. Don’t expect that to happen until the Blueshirts return from next week’s all-star break, at the earliest.

"There’s no time frame," Laviolette said regarding an ETA for Chytil's return.

Concerns remain about whether it would be wise for Chytil to play again this season, but multiple sources have indicated he’s motivated to do just that.

The Rangers, who are in the midst of 4-6-2 skid since the calendar turned to 2024 and a troubling 11-11-2 stretch dating back to Dec. 5, sure could use him. The lack of center depth in the organization has been exposed in Chytil’s absence, leaving a gaping hole on a largely ineffective third line. They've sorely missed the dynamic young player they signed to four-year, $17.75 million extension last year while he was in the midst of a breakout 22-goal season.

It remains possible – likely, even – that team president Chris Drury will look to add a center prior to the March 8 trade deadline. That would protect them in the event that Chytil suffers another setback, or if fears of his increasing susceptibility to head injuries are realized. Of course, removing him from long-term injured reserve would drastically reduce their available salary cap space, with roughly $700,000 expected at the time he’s activated. If that happens at some point in early February, for example, they’d likely be able to raise that number over $1 million through the accrual process by the time the deadline arrives.

But those are all secondary concerns. The primary objectives are for Chytil to regain his quality of life and get back to doing what he loves. Thursday’s positive development makes that feel more realistic than it has at any point in the last 12 weeks.

"Everyone wants to play, but that’s your life," Kakko said. "With your head, you just don’t know when you’re ready. It’s way harder than with your leg or anything else when you know how long it’s going to take. ... You need to be careful."

Nick Bonino placed on waivers

The center who's spent the most time trying to fill Chytil's void received some difficult news Thursday, with the Rangers electing to place veteran Nick Bonino on waivers.

"He met with Chris Drury this morning," Laviolette said. "It’s the decision that was made."

The 35-year-old was signed to a one-year, $800,000 deal over the summer and figured to serve as the fourth-line center, but Chytil's injury forced him to move up in the lineup. Since then, the third line has struggled to produce, with Bonino stuck on just five points (one goal and four assists) and minus-12 rating through 45 games played.

Laviolette values his intangibles, including his penalty killing ability and willingness to block shots, but his lack of speed and negative impacts in other key areas were becoming harder to ignore. The 6-foot-1, 198-pounder ranks last on the team in xGF (38.92%), Corsi (38.64%), shot share (44.42%) and actual goals rate (28.98%), according to Evolving Hockey.

Meanwhile, an effective fourth-line trio emerged with Jimmy Vesey, Barclay Goodrow and Tyler Pitlick, which helped convince the Rangers that Bonino wasn't going to be a regular in their post-deadline lineup.

If he clears waivers, the team would likely assign him to their AHL affiliate and Bonino's hometown Hartford Wolf Pack. But given how well-respected he is in the locker room and within the organization, the belief is that Drury would grant him a release if that's his preference.

"I don’t know what Nick’s intentions are, so it would be wrong for me to comment on that," Laviolette said. "I’ve worked with Nick for a quite a few years going back to Nashville. I can’t speak enough about him as a person. He’s just a good guy, a good teammate. It’s a tough day with regard to that."

Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Filip Chytil practices with Rangers for first time in nearly 3 months