This was about more than just understanding defensive-zone coverages or forechecking schemes or breakouts. Heck, this was about more than just having some dynamic offensive players in Rick Nash and Mats Zuccarello on the flanks in order to help 18-year-old Filip Chytil with the start of his NHL career.

Instead, this was about total acclimation for Chytil, the Rangers first-round pick (No. 21 overall) who earned his opening-night roster spot as the third-line center. And that included Nash rooming with Chytil, 15 years his junior, as the Rangers went on their three-day team-bonding trip to Lake Placid which ended on Tuesday.

“Just kind of showing him the ropes,” Nash told The Post after the team’s practice there on Monday. “[Sunday] night in the room, I explained to him that after dinner we all go to the hospitality room and hang out, watch TV, watch football. Made sure he was aware, came down and hung out with us. Things like that you wouldn’t get the opportunity to do back in Tarrytown, we can do here.”

It’s all been a bit of a shock for Chytil, who is still working through some language barriers from his native Czech Republic, and occasionally leans on countryman and backup goalie, Ondrej Pavelec, for some translation help. But there was Nash on the Lake Placid ice, talking to Chytil and explaining with his hands as the two new linemates smiled in comprehension.

“He’s got a pretty mature game for an 18-year-old,” Nash said.

It wasn’t an easy decision for the organization to keep Chytil instead of fellow first-round pick Lias Andersson, who also is a center and was taken No. 7 overall. But the team has nine games to watch Chytil before the first year of his entry-level deal kicks in. They would love it if he could stick with the team, and if not, he’s more than likely going back to his team in the Czech Republic.

“I just feel that at this time right now, if we’re going to get a real good read on him, we have to give him the best possible chance,” coach Alain Vigneault said.

Of course, Vigneault had to consider his whole roster and where people might fit when making this decision. As Vigneault explained, he wanted to keep together the line of Michael Grabner, Kevin Hayes and J.T. Miller, and also thought the combination of Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad had more success with Pavel Buchnevich on the right wing rather than Zuccarello. (Also it didn’t hurt that Kreider speaks Russian and communicates with Buchnevich in his native tongue.)

So that left Nash and Zuccarello as natural fits, both as skilled players and veterans who can help Chytil with any questions he might have.

“Two experienced guys,” Vigneault said. “Two guys that are definitely going to help a younger player with their experience on the ice and off the ice.”

As training camp rolled along, Nash was focused on his own game and bouncing back from a disappointing statistical season marred by injury. But he couldn’t help take notice of the poise and skill in Chytil’s play, especially when they were put on a line together.

“It seems like he’s got a complete game,” Nash said. “He can play in the ‘D’ zone, has patience with the puck.”

It’s an experiment the Rangers hope pays off when the regular season begins Thursday night at the Garden against the Avalanche. It will be interesting to see if Chytil is ready for the big stage, and if his veteran linemates [and roommate] can help him adjust.

“We’ll see what happens,” Vigneault said. “They’re going to play their first game together and hopefully they’re going to be good.”