New York Rangers: Vitali Kravtsov’s top five plays of the summer
After being drafted ninth overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, New York Rangers prospect, Vitali Kravtsov, had himself an impressive summer.
Kravstov, who is a current member of Traktor Chelyabinsk in the KHL, made waves during the playoffs for his team. He played in 35 regular season games for Traktor in 2017-18 and recorded just four goals and three assists for seven points on 35 shots. However, his numbers jumped in the postseason.
In 16 playoff games, Kravtsov recorded six goals and five assists for 11 points on 37 shots. Two of these goals were recorded at even strength and the rest were recorded in powerplay opportunities.
His season with Traktor was enough to earn him a spot on the preliminary roster for the Four Nations Tournament, and on August 22nd, he was officially named to the 23-man roster.
In the three games played in this tournament, Kravtsov has recorded one goal and three assists for four points.
Kravtsov will remain in the KHL during the 2018- 19 regular season — meaning he did not make the Traverse City roster that was released on August 28 — and based on what we have seen from him since the draft, another year overseas can only help him.
Regardless, the way he has played this summer gives us a lot to look forward to when he has a shot to earn a roster spot next season.
Here are some of Kravtsov’s best moments this summer.
Number 5
Kravtsov’s outing in the KHL Playoffs was impressive, to say the least.
His stats during the regular season were not all that eye-popping, and this caused some to question management’s decision to pick him at number nine. However, since then, he has been dominant in both the KHL and in international play.
Our choice for number five comes from Kravtsov’s time in the playoffs. Here, Kravtsov displays his skill and scoring ability in this shootout attempt.
While shootouts are not the most representative of game action, this stutter step completely throws off the goaltender. In various other shootout attempts, he has shown that he can read goaltenders and score goals.
Best of all, Kravtsov brings this high-level skill set into his play as well.
Number 4
This is our lone highlight from this year at Four Nations Tournament — though there are a plethora that you can check out here.
This is simply because of how dominant Kravtsov was in Traktor’s postseason, he was truly hard to contain.
In our pick for number four, Kravtsov shows his ability to work the puck in the zone and read the offense.
In this play, Kravtsov recieves the puck with time and steps up into the play with options.
In this scenario, Kravtsov has options. While there seems to be an opportunity for him to shoot, he opts to use a play that seems logical, to make a less anticipated move. Faking a shot, he passes the puck off to Mozorov who merely has to tip the puck past the goaltender.
A flawless set up for an important goal.
Number 3
Our choice for number three is a great example of how well rounded a game Kravtsov can play.
After a nice rush up ice by Traktor defenseman, Nikita Khlystov, the puck is controlled by a Metallurg player in the corner and knocked around the boards to the blue line where Kravtsov picks it up.
Feeling the oncoming pressure, he passes to a teammate, Ryan Sota, who, when double teamed by two Mutallurg players, gives it right back to Kravtsov. Though there ew two defensemen, neither is in a good enough position to step up and Kravtsov skates right through them and puts a shot on net which the goaltender fights off.
Kravtsov collects his own rebound and passes the puck off, returning to the blue line as the puck makes its way along the opposite side of the ice. A Mutallurg defenseman pinches a bit too far to Kravtsov’s right, and he is able to gain a step.
Sota, who has control of the puck sees this and floats a puck a bit far out in front of Kravtsov. He is able to control it, and with a quick release, finishes the play.
There are an enormous amount of good things that happen in this brief minute and 27-second video. It is a great example of not just the raw skill and speed that Kravtsov has but also displays his awareness and sense of where he needs to be to be most threatening.
Number 2
In our choice for number two, Kravtsov makes an extremely difficult play look easy.
KravtsovKravtsov skates the puck into the zone and makes a pass off to Alexei Kruchinin, who shortly after returns the puck.
When Kravtsov receives the puck, he is not in the most advantageous position, with his back completely to the goal. In addition, the pass comes in a bit tight on his body, but he manages to control the puck.
Recognizing he has room, Kravtsov turns and has enough time to deke and sneak the puck in between the goaltender’s legs.
Here, we see more of the high-level skill that Kravtsov is capable of. And it only gets better from here…
Number 1
Our choice for number one is a clear example of just how much Kravtsov has to offer offensively.
In this clip, Kravtsov displays the sheer skill he possesses, showing poise, control and vision.
Kravtsov flys up through the neutral zone pulls the puck outside along his body as the opposing defenseman catches up to him, slips the puck between his feet and picks it back up in front of his body in one seamless motion.
Now having a step on the defenseman, Kravtsov uses the residual speed he generated into the zone and takes the puck straight to the net, through the goaltender’s legs and in.
This is not the only time that Kravtsov has tried this move — it is one of the few times he has been successful with it thus far.
The fact that he continues to attempt this move, shows just how creative he can be, and it is something the Rangers can build around in the future.
Kravtsov is off to a good start
As mentioned, Kravtsov is back in the KHL with Traktor this season and has already continued the good play that we saw throughout his summer.
Kravtsov has six points through his first 10 games (three goals, three assist). On October 7, he registered a goal an assist in Traktor’s game. The assist came off a puck he stole behind the net and after a perfect pass, allowed Igor Polygalov to slip in a goal.
Later, the goal he scored was his third of the season and was a beautiful top shelf shot:
With his six points in the first 10 games of the KHL season, Kravtsov leads players younger than 20-years-old in points. He is also is tied for first among KHL players younger than 20 in goals.
Another year in the KHL to allow Kravtsov the time to develop will only help as he makes the transition to the NHL. Though slightly different, in a similar scenario, we have seen good play from Filip Chytil who spent a year in Hartford before joining the roster full time this season.
Next. Yegor Rykov’s Mysterious KHL Season. dark
The bottom line is that the Rangers need an elite player like Kravtsov to solidify their rebuild — with the skill he’s shown so far, there is a lot to be excited about.