Why Alexis Lafreniere isn’t the only Rangers rookie to watch next season

Alexis Lafreniere is the consensus pick to go first overall to the New  York Rangers but don’t forget about Vitali Kravtsov

When the New York Rangers won the 2020 NHL Draft Lottery, they knew that they were going to get a generational talent. Alexis Lafrenière is the presumptive number one pick and is said to be a a special player, compared to Sidney Crosby and Steven Stamkos.  Lafrenière really has it all, from the size (6’1″, 192 pounds)  to the stats (112 points last year in the QMJHL) to the leadership skills.

If and when the Rangers select Lafrenière in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft on October 9, he will join a Rangers team filled with young players who have already shown they can do it on the big stage.  Adam Fox, Kaapo Kakko, Igor Shesterkin, Filip Chytil, Ryan Lindgren all have two years or less in the NHL.  Then they will adding Lafrenière,  destined to become the most heralded rookie in New York, and maybe in the entire league.

It is clear that this kid is the stud, but he is not the only Rangers’ rookie to look out for next year. 20 year old Vitali Kravtsov will also get his first chance at the NHL regular season and even though Lafrenière will get most of the spotlight, fans should keep their eyes on Kravtsov.

Last season, he played 39 games with the Wolf Pack, tallying 15 points. But, in the second half, he was creating more chances offensively, played more end-to-end defense and was less flustered with the North American style. He could communicate better with his teammates and started learning their strengths.

The Rangers brought him to Toronto for the Qualifier and he impressed in camp and when Jesper Fast went down with an injury, Kravtsov was one of the finalists to replace him. The team ended up going with Steven Fogarty, but Kravtsov’s performance each practice gave the coaches something to look out for.

When the Rangers selected Kravtsov, they saw his potential to be a dynamic, offensive winger with size (6’3″, 170 pounds) and speed and great puck handling with the ability to become  a top liner. After showing how good he can be in the second half of the year and becoming more used to the North American playing style, many think he is ready to be on the Ranger’s roster come December.

Alexis Lafrenière will for sure get all the spotlight, and maybe that is a good thing for Kravtsov. In his rookie season, Kaapo Kakko didn’t play as well as many anticipated under the New York  spotlight. While Lafrenière has been a media star for years it’s a new experience for Kravtsov.  He has a metor in fellow Russian Artemi Panarin and a best friend in Igor Shesterkin and that can only help his development.

Even though Lafrenière will be the main focus and the name on the back of more jerseys, an overlooked Kravtsov could potentially have as much of an impact.