SAN JOSE, Calif. — Filip Sitil is one step closer to a potential return.
The Rangers center is returning to New York after spending about three weeks in his native Czech Republic recovering from a suspected concussion, league officials said.
There is still no timeline set for Sitil's return to action or when he will resume practice with the team.
But it was a positive development in what initially seemed a bleak situation after the organization sent him home in hopes that a change of scenery would help.
When the Rangers play the Sharks on Tuesday night at SAP Center, Sitil will miss his 37th consecutive game.
He recently posted a photo on Instagram with Czech Jaromir Jagr and personal coach Radek Duda, the latest in a recovery process that head coach Peter Laviolette described as “separate paths.” It is a step.
“Phil is making slow progress,” Laviolette said on Dec. 30. “It's an opportunity for him to come home, reset and keep moving forward. When he comes back, we'll welcome him with open arms.”
Chytil, who left the team after the Rangers' win over the Hurricanes on Nov. 2, had six assists but no goals in the first 10 games of the season, looking to build on his first career 20 goals from a year ago. .
Last year under coach Gerard Gallant, Sitil had the most success with the “kid line” around Alexis Lafrenière and Kappo Kakko, but the majority of his ice time was spent with Laviolette, who is now the Blueshirts' coach. was spent with Lafreniere and Artemi Panarin.
