Canucks’ Jim Rutherford ‘concerned’ about Filip Chytil injury

There seems to be very little chance that Filip Chytil will return to the Vancouver Canucks before the season is over.

Appearing on the 100% Hockey podcast with John Shannon and Daren Millard on Thursday, Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford said he was “concerned” about the injury keeping their second-line centre out of the lineup.

“I feel very bad. He’s trying hard to get back to play, but when you’re dealing with those head injuries, that’s a very serious thing. And that’s something he has to decide as to where his future is,” Rutherford said. “This is a guy that’s just had a lot of bad luck, and I am concerned about his injury.”

Chytil, who has already missed 46 games this season with head injuries, suffered a setback in practice ahead of the return from the Olympic break after being hit in the head with a slapshot. The team later revealed he suffered a facial fracture and will be out indefinitely.

Prior to the break, the 26-year-old was six games into his return to the lineup after suffering a concussion on Oct. 19, but was sidelined in their final game due to migraines. Throughout his nine-year NHL career, Chytil has suffered multiple concussions.

“I would almost rather he didn’t (return before the end of the season),” Rutherford continued. “I know he’s out for four weeks, we’re getting close to the end of the season, and I think it’s almost better that he just tries to get to 100 per cent and take a look at where his future is going forward for next year.”

In the 12 games Chytil has played this season, he has three goals. For his career, he’s registered 80 goals and 173 points in 405 games.