For the second day in a row, the New York Rangers have signed a top prospect. After convincing Adam Fox to forego his senior season at Harvard yesterday, the Rangers have finalized an entry-level contract with Vitali Kravtsov, according to CapFriendly. Kravtsov will earn the full $925K maximum in each of his three years, and can also earn up to $850K in performance bonuses. Notably, the deal also includes a European Assignment Clause that would give him the option of returning to the KHL if the Rangers decide to keep him in the minor leagues.
The team also announced that they have agreed to terms with goaltender Igor Shesterkin, another top prospect who spent the last several seasons in the KHL.
Kravtsov, 19, was the ninth-overall pick in last June’s draft and impressed on several stages this season. In 50 games with Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL he recorded eight goals and 21 points, solid production for a player his age, and really starred at the international level. Kravtsov recorded six points in seven games with Team Russia at the World Junior tournament, helping them secure a bronze medal. The big winger can contribute no matter what kind of game his team wants to play, bringing physicality, speed and skill in bunches.
The Rangers already have several young forwards ready to make a splash at the NHL level, and will likely add either Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko with the second-overall pick this year. The idea of lining up Kakko, Kravtsov, Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil and Brett Howden as they grow and develop has to be exciting for GM Jeff Gorton, who has done a nice job quickly rebuilding the team.
It’s not just forwards that Rangers fans have to look forward to though, as Shesterkin is an impressive talent in his own right. Originally a fourth-round selection in 2014, the 23-year old goaltender has been one of the best in the KHL for the last three years. Leading the league with a .953 save percentage this season in 28 games with St. Petersburg, Shesterkin had an almost unbelievably low goals against average of 1.11.
His arrival does pose some questions for the future however. Henrik Lundqvist still has two years left on his massive contract that carries an $8.5MM cap hit, but young Alexandar Georgiev has also shown he can handle play at the NHL level. With Shesterkin coming to North America the Rangers now have some decisions to make on how long they will wait before installing one of their young Russian goaltenders in the net full time. Lunqvist has said in the past that he wants to stick around New York and even turned down the opportunity of a trade last year. The 37-year old goaltender has a full no-movement clause in his contract.
Next Season is definitely looking better! Hopefully, by the trade deadline, we trade a few more Veterans, acquire a few more picks or prospects, and prepare for another decade of playoff hockey and a few cups.
2 more top Russian prospects under contract.Hope they can sign Panarin to help bring them along to a smooth transition to North America.The future looks bright.
IF the Stars win this round the Rangers get the no.18 pick. How far up would 18,21 (from Jets) and Krieder get them in a first round pick exchange?
Another top 5 I’d say, but are any of those other guys worth it?
If the Stars win this round their pick will be between 28 and 31 while the Jets pick can drop as low as 18 depending on who else advances.
If not Panarin, Kreider makes a pretty good interpreter and role model. Kreids is set for a breakout season if he isn’t forced to play injured so much, hopefully, Coach Q sees a healthy Kreider as the only option, and when Kreids or any player is injured and a shadow of themselves will plug some kids in the lineup to get valuable game experience.
Looking at all the draft reports, general consensus 3-20 is a crap shoot, all good players but no real standouts. Probably best to hold on Kreider until at least the tradeline and get some real value in next years draft class, or an exciting prospect.
I’m pretty sure his name is Shestyorkin and Georgiev is from Bulgaria
He has decided to go with Shesterkin, and while Georgiev was born in Bulgaria, he moved when he was very young and competes for Russia internationally.
Panarin would seal up the forward lines.
Chicago would probably trade number 3 for 18,21, Krieder, and Shattenkirk w salary retained. Eats into most of their cap space but they add two legitimate prospects, a top 6 forward, and a huge upside defenseman.