Dissecting the Kravtsov to the KHL rumors

Things to remember

The Rangers play seven games before November 1.  If the Sports-Express report is correct that Kravtsov cannot execute his contract out until that date, that’s a lot of games for the Blueshirts to play and a lot can happen.

Similarly, the Wolf Pack will be playing six games before November 1, an opportunity for the young Russian to prove that he belongs.  If he gets a lot of ice time and has a positive experience, it could go a long way towards keeping him content to stay in North America.

Per the CBA, a player on an Entry Level Contract ($925k) gets paid only $70k if in the minor leagues.  Also, Kravtsov could earn as much as $1.775 million in performance bonuses in the NHL. That’s a big drop in pay.

Remember that before the Vlad Namestnikov deal, the Rangers didn’t have the cap space to keep Kravtsov on the roster.   The salary cap is always a factor. The team is still two players under the 23 player active roster maximum.

A return to the KHL is not the end of the world.  If he returns to Russia and signs with a good team, he will get valuable experience.  The regular KHL season ends on February 27 and he could return to the Rangers as soon as the season is over.  That said, if he signs with a playoff team, he could be playing in Russia until the end of April.

Here is the language in the CBA regarding European Assignment Clauses:

"11.19 Loans to Clubs Outside North America.  The SPC (Standard Players Contract) of any Player may contain a clause that provides that, in the event his NHL Club Loans the Player to a club outside the NHL, during the period of such Loan, the Player shall have the option to be Loaned to a club of his choice outside North America."

Vitali Kravtsov is the youngest player on the Hartford Wolf Pack.  He has repeatedly stated that playing in the NHL for the Rangers is his dream.  He was outstanding in Traverse City and played decently in training camp.  He spent the summer in North America and made a serious effort to learn English.  He wants to be here. Here is his last Twitter post:

We tend to forget that he is still only 19 years old.   Being sent to Hartford must have been a crushing blow to him, as it was for Filip Chytil.   Chytil is playing hard and working towards the inevitable re-call to New York.  You have to believe that Kravtsov will do the same.

Kravtsov is a valuable piece of the Rangers’ future and we don’t know what is going on behind the scenes.  The good news is the Rangers really cannot lose either way.  He can play in Hartford or Russia, get experience and be ready to make the move to the NHL at some point.  The question is how real the chances are that this will even happen.