Prospect Info: Vitali Kravtsov: Part IX

[Mac n Gs]

He only had 8 assists on the year, but that doesn't even remotely come close to telling the whole story. Scroll through this and the previous thread to see clips of numerous high-danger scoring chances he's set up that weren't converted. He realistically should've had double the amount of assists, and a 16-16-32 statline would be very respectable for a kid his age in the KHL

 

[The New Russian Five]

He gets into the dirty areas quite a lot. Rangers could use some of that!

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I honestly do not expect Kravtsov to just be added to the line up immediately when he comes over. Probably starts in Hartford or on the taxi squad.

Whatever he has done in the KHL probably has not changed the way Quinn thinks about him.

 

[kovazub94]

Traktor and Kravtsov are facing Salavat Ulaev in the first round. Strong team but Traktor was had a pretty strong finish, unlike the teams they were competing for this 5 spot in the East.

Games will be March 3, 5, 7, 9, 11*, 13*, 15* (* if necessary)

 

[CupSeeker]

He can be in the Rangers Top 9 right now. His defensive play has come a long way. He is not going to be a selke candidate but he is responsible enough to be put right in the Top 9. That ice time would up his trade value because I am confident he would do well with the Talent we have in the top 9 when everyone is healthy. Him flanking Chytil would be two big boys coming at the defense

Those two and Laf would be a pretty sick third line next year.

 

[Lion Hound]

Can’t wait to watch him develop with the big club.

 

[kovazub94]

He only had 8 assists on the year, but that doesn't even remotely come close to telling the whole story. Scroll through this and the previous thread to see clips of numerous high-danger scoring chances he's set up that weren't converted. He realistically should've had double the amount of assists, and a 16-16-32 statline would be very respectable for a kid his age in the KHL

Love that Kravtsov spent this season under Gatiyatulin as his HC. The team defends “5 in the picture” and Kravtsov has shown a full buy-in always coming back to defend.

 

[JimmyG89]

Even if Kravtsov doesn't get much time with the Rangers this season, we're looking at next season having D+4 Kravtsov, D+3 Kakko and D+2 Lafreniere.

A little more mature players that will have pro game experience under their belts on the wing to compliment Kreider, Panarin, and Buch. The top 9 wingers could be the best group of wingers we've ever seen iced at one time for the Rangers. The top 9 in general could have an immense amount of skill.

 

[Profet]

Brooks speculating about recalling Kravtsov.

https://nypost.com/2021/02/28/vitali-kravtsov-expected-to-join-rangers-soon/

 

[NYSPORTS]

Brooks speculating about recalling Kravtsov.

https://nypost.com/2021/02/28/vitali-kravtsov-expected-to-join-rangers-soon/

gee idk, i would think Hartford first. Still have to get young Kakko and Chytil back in the lineup along with Panarin. Putting Krav in the mix with so many changes elsewhere i would think is a lot.

 

[n8]

i hope the kid gets PP time in the slot position. That seems to be his bread and butter and even if it makes defenders swarm to him, that opens up room for a lot of the other guys to let loose on the PP.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

i hope the kid gets PP time in the slot position. That seems to be his bread and butter and even if it makes defenders swarm to him, that opens up room for a lot of the other guys to let loose on the PP.

But he's a left-handed shot...

 

[eco's bones]

I honestly do not expect Kravtsov to just be added to the line up immediately when he comes over. Probably starts in Hartford or on the taxi squad.

Whatever he has done in the KHL probably has not changed the way Quinn thinks about him.

I have no idea what Quinn thinks about him but my guess would be that like most NHL coaches if he hasn't played any games for his team or done any practices lately then they really don't know them apart from maybe they're a high profile prospect.

As far as Kravtsov's season in the K--to me it's been okay. He's a good player on his team there. He's been mired it seems in a bit of a slump lately though and been streaky all season long.

 

[bl02]

i hope the kid gets PP time in the slot position. That seems to be his bread and butter and even if it makes defenders swarm to him, that opens up room for a lot of the other guys to let loose on the PP.

pp time here? with the Rangers? Maybe if he ever goes to Hartford. If he ever gets pp time here he will be lucky to get the final 20 seconds on the second unit.

 

[n8]

But he's a left-handed shot...

to think, we'd try something new!

pp time here? with the Rangers? Maybe if he ever goes to Hartford. If he ever gets pp time here he will be lucky to get the final 20 seconds on the second unit.

yeah, that's the sad reality but a guy can wish.

 

[kovazub94]

...He's been mired it seems in a bit of a slump lately though and been streaky all season long.

No slump - after missing a few games due to injury Kravtsov came back for the last two games and played as well as at any point during the season.

 

[eco's bones]

No slump - after missing a few games due to injury Kravtsov came back for the last two games and played as well as at any point during the season.

Okay 16 goals and 24 points in 49 games. A point every other game and 7th on his team in scoring. Maybe if he were to stay another year in the KHL next year would be the year he'd start to take off. For now he's one of his team's better players but he's not really the guy driving the offense.

I wouldn't expect a whole lot more out of him now as far as production than we've gotten from Kakko or Lafreniere so far especially with our problems at center. If he's not the guy driving the offense for his team in the KHL it's unlikely he's ready to do it in the NHL.

Personally I think Lundkvist is the player most ready to step into the NHL.

 

[ColonialsHockey10]

I literally have negative faith in VK coming over this season and being put in a position to succeed/develop. I think it’s a horrible idea to have him come over.

It’s a bit different for defensemen, but I can’t possibly think of a worse scenario for developing forwards than we currently have.

 

[kovazub94]

Okay 16 goals and 24 points in 49 games. A point every other game and 7th on his team in scoring. Maybe if he were to stay another year in the KHL next year would be the year he'd start to take off. For now he's one of his team's better players but he's not really the guy driving the offense.

I wouldn't expect a whole lot more out of him now as far as production than we've gotten from Kakko or Lafreniere so far especially with our problems at center. If he's not the guy driving the offense for his team in the KHL it's unlikely he's ready to do it in the NHL.

Personally I think Lundkvist is the player most ready to step into the NHL.

I’d say to set one’s expectations re. Kravtsov performance look to how Buchnevich performance when he first came over (though I suspect that Kravtsov would be able to perform better).

As far as Kravtsov hard stats translation into PPG, Vitali himself acknowledged that it took him a long time to get into a decent shape often his early season’s injury. Everyone is free to make their own minds but even excluding terrible puck luck from his linemates not converting on gimmes from Kravtsov, I view him as a .65 PPG KHL producer.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Still think if it were based solely on camp performance rather than draft pedigree, he would’ve made the team over Kakko last year. During training camp the staff & everyone were raving about Kravtsov specifically, not Kakko. Even watching in the preseason he looked more like Hughes than Kakko, showed way more flashes of that high end skill despite being physically overwhelmed. I think fans will be happy that he is a much more creative player than the typical Rangers picks who are very much x’s & o’s guys without much flash to their game.

 

[Rempe73]

He only had 8 assists on the year, but that doesn't even remotely come close to telling the whole story. Scroll through this and the previous thread to see clips of numerous high-danger scoring chances he's set up that weren't converted. He realistically should've had double the amount of assists, and a 16-16-32 statline would be very respectable for a kid his age in the KHL

Agreed. I normally don't like the "he could have had more points" argument, but I really like his vision. He can become a real threat offensively because the defense will have to respect his willingness to shoot, the pass, and the dangle. Only problem offensively is that his shot isn’t exactly lethal, but still.

 

[East Coast Bias]

Future Buffalo Sabre VK

 

[Sayba]

Still think if it were based solely on camp performance rather than draft pedigree, he would’ve made the team over Kakko last year. During training camp the staff & everyone were raving about Kravtsov specifically, not Kakko. Even watching in the preseason he looked more like Hughes than Kakko, showed way more flashes of that high end skill despite being physically overwhelmed. I think fans will be happy that he is a much more creative player than the typical Rangers picks who are very much x’s & o’s guys without much flash to their game.

Maybe Buffalo has memories of and misses Afinogenov and accept him as the main piece of the Eichel trade.

 

[tlk]

We'll have to fix him up with some jet-skates or something.

 

[The New Russian Five]

Still think if it were based solely on camp performance rather than draft pedigree, he would’ve made the team over Kakko last year. During training camp the staff & everyone were raving about Kravtsov specifically, not Kakko. Even watching in the preseason he looked more like Hughes than Kakko, showed way more flashes of that high end skill despite being physically overwhelmed. I think fans will be happy that he is a much more creative player than the typical Rangers picks who are very much x’s & o’s guys without much flash to their game.

Creative you say? But we only dump and not chase, and grind it out on Quinn's team.