One of the surprises among yesterday’s opening day roster submissions was in New York, where the Rangers decided to send Vitali Kravtsov back to the minor leagues. Today, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports that the team has given Kravtsov’s camp permission to seek a trade. Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports that Kravtsov has refused the assignment to the AHL and will likely be suspended by the team.
The 21-year-old Kravtsov was the ninth overall pick just three years ago, but has had an up-and-down relationship with the Rangers ever since. After playing a handful of games with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL at the start of the 2019-20 season, Kravtsov exercised his European Assignment Clause to return to the KHL. He’d been benched and even made a healthy scratch in the minor leagues, so he returned home to continue his development with a team he expected to play a lot for. That didn’t work out as planned, however, and Kravtsov was back in North America, playing for the Wolf Pack before the season was through.
Last season, with the KHL starting earlier than the professional leagues in North America, Kravtsov once again suited up for Traktor and showed he had reached a new level of consistency. The Rangers left him there through the end of the KHL campaign, and then added him to the NHL roster where he played in his first 20 games. He had just two goals and four points in those contests, but things seemed to be back on the right track.
Notably, Kravtsov changed agents a few months ago and is now represented by Dan Milstein of Gold Star Hockey. In the final year of his entry-level contract, he’ll be a restricted free agent next summer. After seeing Julien Gauthier and Dryden Hunt make the roster over him, it’s clear that Kravtsov’s time in New York may be coming to an end.
So stupid just a stupid stupid front office
You have to wonder if the front office sat down with the player and the agent on conference call to discuss what is taking place and what they see the players role going forward. It seems as though this did not take place at all. Maybe the agent was talked to before but evidently the player was not.
Pick up the phone rob blake!!!!
Would make a ton of sense as they need depth on wing
It would have been better to lose Hajek on wavers than to trade Kravtsov for some lousy picks.
I don’t think this would be a trade for lousy picks (or at least I hope not). Maybe they can package him with a guys like Hajek, Strome, Georgiev and picks to get Eichel.
Unless BUF would retain 50% there’s no money for Eichel. And he’s damaged goods anyway.
cheap suit
Expensive purse.
Dumb kid. He should have taken asdihnment and earned it!
I actually blame his agent for this.
Maybe David Poile could look into this…….there I go again with thinking the Preds might add scoring to their mundane roster. :/
Quack Quack.
I wish the ducks would jump on this while his trade value is low. give him some top 6 NHL time and hope for the best. I say the ducks should just give them Henrique. at least he’s a viable NHL player. retain some cap if needed. looks like a win win to me.
Why is his trade value low?
I’d take Henrique over Kravtsov in a heart beat, given the salary retention.
Why would the Rangers do that? So give away scrap for our top prospect is how you think trades are made? How about you give us Zegras and we give you Strome? That a fair deal?
damn man why are you so sensitive where did all this hostility come from? but anyway, to answer your question, the rangers would do that because it’s clear that this guy isn’t going to get the NHL experience he needs to advance his game on the Rangers. and Krat already made it clear he doesn’t want to and won’t play in the AHL. Might as well get a player who can make an impact in the NHL for a player who is just going to be playing overseas for years to come. and to call him your top prospect just shows how stupid you are dude.
Kravtsov’s trade value is low because he is 21 years old and has yet to solidify any spot at the NHL level. Essentially, if teams were to trade for him now, it comes at a risk of him NEVER making a name for himself. And from what i read above, Kravtsov is tired of waiting for the Rangers and he feels like his potential is being wasted. especially when you see the other players who made the roster above him. Henrique, to me, would be a good trade because the Rangers could use an experienced center. Henrique is very good for the ducks. he is very good at face-offs, he is a good penalty killer, and most importantly, he is a legitimate NHL player. maybe the ducks might have to throw in a late round draft pick, but I think the trade is fair without it.
Now I’m stupid because you want to trade us Henrique for our top prospect? You didn’t even throw in another prospect but sure we will take Henrique off your hands because it makes sense to you! Ok so Rangers flat out say no, now here’s my dumb counter proposal. Hmmmmm I’ll give you Kratsov and Strome for Zegras! Final offer!
Ohhh wait I just got it???? Adam Henrique of the Ducks right? The same 30yo making close to 6 million a year signed for 4 more years! Sure hand him over and we will cut another player to fit him under the cap and gladly surrender our top prospect! Lmao
Really? On what team would you take him? 31yo winger!
Who does the Rangers cut to fit him in? Lol
Ugh. Kid started looking good late last season. Friggin front office…
Rangers really beefed up this year, would you take another in kyle Clifford for kravtsov? Clifford and a 6th?
I want Zegras straight up for Kratsov because a few Duck fans on here want Kratsov badly so let’s ask for the stars! Lol