New York Rangers news: Vitali Kravtsov returns to Russia
By Steve Paulus
New York Rangers first round draft pick Vitali Kravtsov is returning to play in Russia after not making the big club and spending three weeks in Hartford with the Wolf Pack.
In a move that had been rumored for weeks, Vitali Kravtsov has exercised the European Assignment Clause that allows him to sign and play with a team in Russia. Kravtsov signed a one year contract with his old team, Traktor Chelyabinsk, but he is subject to recall by the Rangers. At the very least, he can return to North America at the end of the KHL season.
The regular KHL season ends on February 27 and he could return to the Rangers as soon as the season is over. If he is with a playoff team, he could be playing in Russia until the end of April. Traktor is 9-15 on the season and in last place in the Kharlamov Division. They are in tenth place overall in the Eastern Division with the top eight teams making the playoffs. Of course, Kravtov’s return to Traktor makes them a better team.
On October 17, an article in Sports 24, a Russian sports website, reported on Traktor’s desire to sell his rights for about $3 million with SKA Saint Petersburgh and Avangard Omsk showing interest, but the price tag was too high and Avangard wanted a three year commitment. His entry level contract with the Rangers would make that a non-starter.
Sports 24 also reported that Kravtsov is not a good fit with the new coach of Traktor, former NHL goalie Peter Skudra. We’ll see how that goes.
Sent to Hartford
Everything looked good for Kravtsov before training camp. He had spent the summer in North America, learning to speak English and working out with other NHL players. He had an excellent showing at the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City and many were surprised when Kravtsov and Filip Chytil were assigned to the Wolf Pack in the final batch of roster decisions.
Kravtsov must have been disappointed with the assignment and apparently, it showed in his play. After playing the Wolf Pack’s first game, he was a healthy scratch in the their second game, replace by Ville Meskanen. Kravtsov played in the last four Wolf Pack games, registering one assist and sporting a plus/minus rating of -2.
The Wolf Pack schedule has been as light as the Rangers’ schedule with Hartford playing only six games so far this season. Their schedule starts to get busy beginning this weekend.
The demotion and subsequent benching prompted some speculation as the reason he had been sent to the minor leagues was for him to play. Here’s what Jeff Gorton had to say about his assignment to Hartford: “He’s a highly-skilled guy that’s a young player that’s trying to figure out North American hockey, and I think he shows flashes of really good things — specifically on the power play…I think we saw his skill. We can all see his thinking, his skill, his hands. I don’t think he’s too far away, but I think 20 minutes is a better service to him than six, seven, eight minutes or not knowing if he’s going be in the lineup.”
At that point, the rumor mill started working overtime about his return to Russia and it really took on a new life on October 16 when Igor Eronko of the Russian sports publication Sports-Express tweeted that a return to Russia was in the cards.
The big question is how this will impact his relationship and future with the Rangers.