Canucks' Chytil Exits Preseason Match After On-Ice Collision with Official
Filip Chytil left Thursday's preseason game against the Oilers after his skate tangled with referee Riley Brace, sending him hard into the boards. Vancouver confirmed he would not return, but did not specify the nature of the injury. Chytil has a history of five concussions and played only 12 games last season due to various setbacks.
Chytil's medical history is extensive, including five documented concussions, recurring migraines, and a facial fracture suffered when a practice shot deflected into his face last season. Those issues limited him to just 12 games with Vancouver last year and 27 total appearances across his last two campaigns combined.
The timing compounds the concern. He is in the final year of the four-year, $17.75 million contract he signed with the Rangers in 2023, with unrestricted free agency looming next summer. Vancouver acquired him mid-2024-25 in exchange for Victor Mancini and a conditional first-round pick, and he contributed six points in 15 games down the stretch. New coach Manny Malhotra's demanding training camp has intensified the battle for bottom-six roster spots, making any absence from the lineup particularly costly.
This incident may affect several groups. Canucks fans and teammates could face roster uncertainty heading into the regular season, while Chytil's free-agent value may take another hit if this proves serious. The collision also highlights the inherent risk of officials sharing the ice with players—a hazard that could prompt renewed discussion about referee positioning and player safety protocols across the NHL.