I think there's a little underlying...something... when it comes to this. A Russian prospect or young player (Kravtsov) will be referred to as someone who "lacks core strength," while a Canadian prospect or a young player (Howden) with the exact same issues needs to "fill out." The former implies that the Russian isn't doing something while the latter is just saying it'll come with time.
Younger players are very often not developed or strong enough physically for the NHL. If Kravtsov is 6'4 and 185 lbs. that's pretty light. Some people are very wiry strong and can play lighter but that again tends to be those in their mid-20's on up.
As far as Buchnevich the year he actually joined the Rangers I remember the comments about a photo of him in a t-shirt and people were concerned because he looked like he had a boy's body. He's 6'2 and 6'3 and his first couple years he was really getting hammered. He ended up with a back injury and that moved on to the needs to build up his core strength thing. IMO--it was true and FWIW Buch can handle pretty much anything now but it took a little time. I think the same thing is going on with Kravtsov--he needs to develop his physical strength more and put more muscle and weight on. I don't expect that to happen overnight. I just think we're going to need to be more patient with him. Next year he might be very much improved.
As for Howden--he's not very strong either but he's shown an ability to take a beating. There are also different expectations and Howden having a lower ceiling and higher floor played into his making the Rangers as well as the depleted state of the team when Howden showed up to his first training camp. He really could have used some time in Hartford and maybe if he did he'd have more offensive confidence but he's never going to be a top 6 player anyway which is where you'd want someone like Kravtsov to land. Honestly it wouldn't surprise me though over the next couple years if Howden is moved and I think there are possibilities that Buch, DeAngelo and Kravtsov move as well. I think the team overall is pretty much in flux. I expect Lias to be traded as well.
