New York Rangers: Kravtsov scores and other KHL news

If anyone thought the New York Rangers made a mistake letting Vitali Kravtsov play in the KHL, think again

The KHL season is in full swing in Russia and so far, things are looking good for New York Rangers prospect Vitali Kravtsov.  Although his team, Traktor Chelyabinsk dropped a 2-1 decision to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, Kravtsov scored his second goal of the season.

For Kravtsov, it was a power play goal, scored 12 minutes into the second period and it was the last goal scored in a defensive contest.   Pontus Aberg assisted on the goal.  Aberg is a Penguins property who was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Kasper Kapanen deal.

For Kravtsov, it was another active game.  He took a hooking penalty in the first period and led all Traktor players with five shots on goal.  He added three hits and played 16:42, fifth most among Traktor forwards.

Traktor is off to a rocky beginning with only one win in their first four games.  Kravtsov is off to a good start.  His two goals are second on the team. He leads the team with 21 shots on goal (SOG) and he is averaging 15:50 time on ice (TOI).  Those 21 shots on goal are third most in the KHL and his per game average of 5.25 SOG’s is tops in the league.

Perhaps what is most encouraging is how he is playing.  In his second goal he crashed the net and put in a rebound.  He did the same on his first goal last week.

Kravtsov’s next game is Tuesday, September 15, when Traktor takes on Spartak Moscow.

Other KHL news

Yegor Rykov notched his second assist of the season in CSKA Moscow’s 5-1 drubbing of Amur Khabarovsk on Saturday.  He got the secondary assist on the goal scored by Nikita Korostelyov. He made the pass from the blue line to Anton Slepyshev who took the shot that led to the rebound goal.

The Rangers’ defense prospect is playing regularly for CSKA, and his 16:44 TOI in that game was third most on the team.

CSKA Moscow is in first place in the Tarasov Division with a 5-0-1 record.  Their 11 points is the most of any team in the league.

Some trivia

For you trivia fans, here’s a KHL question.  Who is the player currently tied for second in the KHL with six points in four games  who is costing the Blueshirts $300k in cap space next season?     The answer?  Ryan Spooner, who is playing for Dynamo Minsk.  Spooner was bought out in 2019 by the Vancouver Canucks and since the Rangers retained some salary when they traded him to Edmonton, there is a buyout cap hit next season.