Prospect Info: 2018 NHL Draft / Pick #9 - Vitali Kravtsov (RW) - Part VI
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True, but the dudes in those highlights didn't even look like they were trying. At least in Hartford he'd be playing in and learning the system. It's like he's going to have to start from square one when he comes back next year. Seems like a waste.
See that a lot with guys trying to just get a puck to the net. Back to the goal, falling down, they spin a puck across the crease to a wide-open guy at the far post and it's like, wow! How did he see him? He didn't, he was just trying to get the puck on net rather than losing it.
Amazing Kreiderman
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- Apr 11, 2011
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In Europe the first instinct isn't really to dump the puck though. It's based on possession. The first instinct is more likely to play the puck backwards to a defenseman. This is why Russian players need time to adjust. It's a different mindset
So why isn't here in NA adjusting?
NYR Viper
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Give AK a minute to find his bat phone and call up Kravtsov for the skinny
effen
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- Jun 27, 2003
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Amazing Kreiderman
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Because he negotiated an EAC. And used it.
A player doesn't have to adjust at age 19 to become a successful player in the NHL. There are tons of examples. From Zuccarello and Tarasenko to Kuznetsov and Panarin. I am not saying Kravtsov is or will be as good as them, just that those players adjusted at a later age and turned out fine
Because his agent negotiated it says more about the agent's skills than the players. But you said it takes a player from that league time to adjust to NA hockey, yet the player left NA to go back to that league. How does that help him or the Rangers? Seems like they're wasting a year of development unless he magically breaks the habit he picked up in the league he's back playing in.
Love to see that kind of drive in a first round pick.
What!?Last week St Louis scored in overtime on a 3-on-0 breakaway
This stuff happens in hockey.
As for his development: He's 19. Turning 20 next month. His deficiencies aren't going to be fixed overnight. Players take time to develop.
"It wasn't amazing. Nice to see but he's still got holes to fix and thats what's most important."
"Yea but St. Louis scored a 3-0 goal and tomorrow he still will have holes"
Like seriously...what!?
Gluten Free Breadman
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effen
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- Jun 27, 2003
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just about every NHL goal can be cropped down to "the D was atrocious that shit would never fly in the NHL!"
Most goals are scored from breakdowns. Anton Stralman has been an excellent defenseman for years and he got schooled by Chytil the other night and looked bad doing it in a "that D was atrocious and that would never work in the NHL!" kind of way
Perhaps what I'm saying is stop being foolish
Most goals are scored from breakdowns. Anton Stralman has been an excellent defenseman for years and he got schooled by Chytil the other night and looked bad doing it in a "that D was atrocious and that would never work in the NHL!" kind of way
Perhaps what I'm saying is stop being foolish
Except Chytil did it in the NHL against an NHL defenseman, not against guys not good enough to be in the NHL. I'm glad he's having success over there. But I don't think saying he should be in NA working on the things that will help him find success in NA is all that whacky. It's been said Russian players need time to adjust to the NA game. How does going back accomplish this?
I'm not arguing that point, just that people for some reason always complain about "bad defense" whenever they see a highlight goal from another league and it's dumb because no matter what league or how good the players on defense, most goals come off of breakdowns and no player in the world is 100% perfect.
As for Kravtsov...I would have preferred he stayed in the AHL for at least a couple of months to see try to adjust and see how things went and if he could earn a call up. That said, this isn't a lost season for him or something. There are plenty of skills and other things he can work on in the KHL to become a better player between now and next season (or even the end of the KHL season). He's still going to develop and progress in the KHL, many extremely good NHL players spent more than a few years in the KHL getting better before coming to the NHL. He's still 19, this isn't a travesty.
And as much as I want to say he should have stayed and toughed it out, if he was really struggling mentally with not making the NHL and the whole culture shift ultimately it's fine to go back for another year. I don't think it will hurt his development in the end.
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well he will get used to losing quicker so I guess that is why he went back to the KHL to get used to it when he plays for NYR if he ever does
Larrybiv
We're CLEAN, we PROMISE!
This is true, fine examples but like @Pawnee Rangers said; "seems like a waste". Yeah, it really does. At his early age, he could have had a one year jump on above reference. I understand and don't have a problem with his decision (It's his right, and his life) but, I think had he stuck it out and gradually learned here, he would have been above the curve eventually.
I don’t see anyway this is a good situation for him. The team is otherworldly bad. Not even competitive. No chance for this kid to do much there. It’s going to be a completely lost year.
Prepare to watch his stock drop across every prospect report.
Prepare to watch his stock drop across every prospect report.
So Traktor gets caved in every f***ing game, and we have to hope and pray Kravtsov is working on his physicality, his willingness to dump a puck into the zone rather than dangle through four players, etc. Great move, here. This is really good for his development as an NHL prospect. But he's happy! He's in a good mental space! Hooray!
He could have been a key cog on a very competitive Hartford team if he had been willing to fight through some adversity. Disappointing.
He could have been a key cog on a very competitive Hartford team if he had been willing to fight through some adversity. Disappointing.
Calad
Section 422
The kid negotiated a khl clause in his contract for this year, why is everyone singing that the sky is falling when he actually uses something he negotiated for? Of course we'd all rather he be here in NA fighting for a roster spot, but a Russian kid playing in the KHL at 19 isn't exactly a huge problem. Mountains out of molehills, people.
Most guys coming over from Russia, and many from Europe, negotiate an EAC. Very few use it. From his interviews, he clearly wasn't happy here, but rather than tough it out and work on improving his game in a way that will actually help him become an NHL player, he exercised his EAC the very first day possible to go home and play for an absolute dumpster fire.
End of the world? No. Waste of a season? Probably, given the way things are unfolding with Traktor.
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