New York remains ‘hopeful’ Filip Chytil can return this season

Here are the latest news and possible return dates for Rangers players…

Dec. 30, 4:45 p.m.

Prior to Saturday’s game against the Lightning, Rangers coach Peter Laviolette gave updates to a couple of players including Filip Chytil and Kaapo Kaako.

Chytil was reported to have returned to his home country of Czechia as he continued his rehab from an upper-body injury. Laviolette confirmed those reports on Saturday.

“Fil is progressing slowly. It’s an opportunity for him to head home, reset and continue to move forward,” he said. “And when he comes back, we’ll welcome him back with open arms. From a progression standpoint things not moving quickly, it’s just a different avenue to try and push things along.”

When the question of whether Chytil will return this season, the first-year Ranger coach remained optimistic.

“I think we’re more hopeful that he will be back,” he said. “We’re just trying a different approach, a different avenue. This is more of a reset to go home and take a different look at it.”

As for Kaapo (lower-body), Laviolette said he’s back on the ice but has not practiced with the team yet and did not make the trip to Tampa. 

Dec. 28, 12:10 p.m.

Good news for defenseman Jacob Trouba, who left Wednesday’s 5-1 win over the Washington Capitals with an upper-body injury in the second period, as he was seen on the ice at Thursday’s practice.

“All good. Played it safe,” he said after the morning session. “[Possible concussion] is not something to mess with, feel good in the morning, feel good skating, it’s all good.

“Don’t know how much [the team] want me to talk about it. For me, I don’t feel like I can go play if I’m worried I’m going to get hit.”

Trouba’s next chance to play will come on Friday when the Rangers visit the Florida Panthers with puck drop at 7 p.m.

Dec. 27, 8:58 p.m.

Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba left New York’s game against the Washington Capitals with an upper-body injury and did not return.

Trouba last played the second period’s first shift on…