He is not beyond criticism, if you look back you’ll see I was always a Kravtsov Stan (I got roasted for proposing trading Kevin Hayes to move up & draft him) but I was one of the few people who did NOT side with him the first time he left to Russia. Even though I thought he was our best player in the 2019 preseason (and he was statistically) I thought he should’ve toughed it out in Hartford and criticized him on here as you’ll find if you search. The second time it happened I defended him because I noticed there is clearly a pattern with Drury/Hartford and young players and because of the pathetic players who made it over him.
But what if he sucks Eddy?
Personally, despite the rub he has given me - I think he'll do well in camp and of course I want to see him succeed. Of course.
It's about the finer details of the game, the system and his presence once things get rolling. How will he respond to the first benching, reduced minutes or tough love from Gallant (inevitable imo, for many reasons) if he isn't as focused defensively in a game or has a rough go of it for a short stretch? That's going to be real question.
But I must say, and this is very important - if that were the case and Kravstov didn't respond in the exact fashion we would like to see from him on the ice, or was just flat out MEH in the first portion - hell, even the first HALF of the season - I'd be a big fat hypocrite if I sat here and crushed him because I've been preaching patience with Kakko and Lafereniere (especially Kakko) and they've had a combined 300 games to get going.
Yes, Kravstov has his history with the club and you can blame either side or both for what transpired. But the fact of the matter is he is 22, not a NA native and has only 20 games under his belt. He should be given the same leash and patience as the other big draftees have had recently.
I'll leave the bashing to the other portion of fans who think Kakko's a bust. But it wont be me despite how I feel about the kid. The way the cap situation is it all has to be water under the bridge. Kravstov is an important part of this season and may be the unsung key for success.
