Prospect Info: 2018 NHL Draft / Pick #9 - Vitali Kravtsov (RW) - Part VII

[nyr2k2]

They're not eyeballing these numbers, you know. The measurements are recorded by the NHL or the league where they play.

Yeah but you never know when they're actually updated. Last year Aaltonen's Liiga team listed him at 167 (still do), the Rangers list him at 176, the previous year he was 154, and his Finnish Association page listed him at 147. The Rangers say Pajuniemi is 196. TPS says he's 182. The Rangers say Nils is 187; his SHL page lists him at 174. And on and on. This was the first year I remember where Hartford and the Rangers were in sync; normally, a guy would magically be an inch taller and ten pounds heavier in NY than in HFD (or sometimes vice versa).

When I see a player's height and weight, I assume that it's +/- 2 inches and +/- 15 pounds.

 

[its josh]

Going down worked really well for chytil and Lindgren. Both looked much better for it.

Chytil always looks awful after a layoff, and Lindgren should have stuck around.

Not the cases I'd use to show Hartford is a successful developmental organization.

 

[nyr2k2]

Chytil always looks awful after a layoff, and Lindgren should have stuck around.

Not the cases I'd use to show Hartford is a successful developmental organization.

It's not even about "being a good developmental organization" as much as it's about "put your head down, give a good effort, do what the coaches ask, and you'll be back soon enough and better for it."

Anyway, Davidson placed an emphasis on Hartford, Drury is only in his third season, and they have a new coach. I don't think anyone knows what Hartford is or isn't at this point.

 

[UnSandvich]

It's not even about "being a good developmental organization" as much as it's about "put your head down, give a good effort, do what the coaches ask, and you'll be back soon enough and better for it."

Anyway, Davidson placed an emphasis on Hartford, Drury is only in his third season, and they have a new coach. I don't think anyone knows what Hartford is or isn't at this point.

A city in Connecticut?

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

You know we're always talking about character - and I don't want to read too much in to Kravtsov's character as a whole because of some comments made here that are most likely considerably muddied because of the language and cultural barrier - but there is very much to be said for a kid just going down to the minors even if he wholly disagrees with it and playing his ass off regardless of how he feels treated.

Chytil did it. Lindgren spent time down there. Pionk as well. And for all the negative talk about Tony D's character - that guy came here with NHL experience and went to the AHL when assigned there and we never heard a peep out of him and he played well and earned his way back up here.

I am guessing the higher you are drafted the more entitled you feel and the more disappointed you feel if things are not working out. I have a feeling Rangers scouts messed up yet again and he might be a bust. He wasn't even projected to go that high. Would he have even been a 1st rounder if not for the 16 playoffs games in KHL where he scored 11 points?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I am guessing the higher you are drafted the more entitled you feel and the more disappointed you feel if things are not working out. I have a feeling Rangers scouts messed up yet again and he might be a bust. He wasn't even projected to go that high. Would he have even been a 1st rounder if not for the 16 playoffs games in KHL where he scored 11 points?

Draft rankings change over time. Players rise, players fall. Kravtsov was nowhere near the reach Chytil was who was ranked as low as 72 the weeks leading up to that draft

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

Draft rankings change over time. Players rise, players fall. Kravtsov was nowhere near the reach Chytil was who was ranked as low as 72 the weeks leading up to that draft

what was the highest ranking for Chytil?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

what was the highest ranking for Chytil?

32 I think. Rankings are very fluid and should never be used as justification or criticism alone for a draft pick

 

[Thirty One]

A city in Connecticut?

Too early to say.

 

[NYRangers16]

This kid should just stay in Russia until he’s good enough to crack the top 6. Keep him happy. Keep him developing his creativity and offense. Fill in the defensive blanks at the NHL level.

The rebuild hinges on this kid making it. He can’t bust.

I disagree - 1 prospect doesn't make a rebuild unless it is a generational talent. We're still building/drafting/trading.

 

[aufheben]

Can one of these high picks work out for f***’s sake

 

[aufheben]

I disagree - 1 prospect doesn't make a rebuild unless it is a generational talent. We're still building/drafting/trading.

It’s going to sting a lot more than Andersson if Kravtsov doesn’t pan out

 

[Oscar Lindberg]

The Rangers whiffing on two straight top 10 picks (who were both reaches) would be disastrous

That said I don’t think Kravstov is anywhere close to being what Andersson is

 

[aufheben]

The Rangers whiffing on two straight top 10 picks (who were both reaches) would be disastrous

That said I don’t think Kravstov is anywhere close to being what Andersson is

*3 straight

 

[NoQuitInNewMexico]

Andersson and Kravtsov circling around the league (and maybe Europe) for five years before becoming useful middle six players on the Minnesota Wild <<<

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Can one of these high picks work out for f***’s sake

For. Real.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

It's way too early to tell or write Kravstov off. JD could be just doing the PR thing but lets see whats up with camp and expanded rosters in a few weeks.

Once again its expectations vs. the warped reality of the 2013 NHL lockout where they went bananas with 18-year-olds on rosters.

Lundkvist and Kravstov were drafted the same year yet its ok for Nils not to play in Hartford until next fall but if Kravstov isn't putting up Kuznetsov production in some makeshift summer tournament for the Cup then he's Alexander Daigle? It doesn't work that way dawgs.

Lets get through summer hockey first and see where the NHL is for 2020-21 before we all start hitting the bottle over Kravstov.

I will say that if Kravstov and Anderson but, yet all of Chytil/Lunskvist/K. Miller are key contributors, is that acceptable?

Regardless, both not working out if it happens will cause Clark to "retire" or be moved. Just a guess.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

how impressive is 36 points in 41 MHL games for a 17 year old? Are those good or amazing numbers?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

how impressive is 36 points in 41 MHL games for a 17 year old? Are those good or amazing numbers?

10th all time in points
6th all time in points per game (min 10 GP)

 

[DutchNYR]

yes, but the way they presented the questions to him sounds like they were trying to get him pissed against the Rangers/NHL/AHL. That is Russian style to twist the truth to try to force you to come to the conclusion they want you top come to.

Russian style?

I think that style resonates closer to home than you think...

Anyway, who cares what he says in an interview? It might be a bit immature, but not half as immature as sh*t that gets thrown around here everytime someone says something they don't want to hear. Ironically, the same thing they're blaming Kravtsov and others for.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Russian style?

I think that style resonates closer to home than you think...

Anyway, who cares what he says in an interview? It might be a bit immature, but not half as immature as sh*t that gets thrown around here everytime someone says something they don't want to hear. Ironically, the same thing they're blaming Kravtsov and others for.

That's what happens when you use Google Translate

 

[romba]

If I’m an athlete giving an interview, I’d expect leading questions and would smile and focus on the message I want to get out. Too much wanting to get ‘my version’ out there from him. He didn’t say anything terrible thankfully though. Also the idea of playing with skilled guys isn’t so simple like some of these young guys think. Fast does wonders along the boards for Panarin and Strome, and he plays north south hard nosed get it deep and go to the front of the net hockey. Prove you can work with guys who compliment your game, not only guys who play the same style. VK wants a figure skating line of pure skill but this is the NHL homie....VK’s first rivalry game against the Islander or Caps and he’ll be thrilled to have a guy like BL skating down his opposite wing.

 

[Anthony5967]

If I’m an athlete giving an interview, I’d expect leading questions and would smile and focus on the message I want to get out. Too much wanting to get ‘my version’ out there from him. He didn’t say anything terrible thankfully though. Also the idea of playing with skilled guys isn’t so simple like some of these young guys think. Fast does wonders along the boards for Panarin and Strome, and he plays north south hard nosed get it deep and go to the front of the net hockey. Prove you can work with guys who compliment your game, not only guys who play the same style. VK wants a figure skating line of pure skill but this is the NHL homie....VK’s first rivalry game against the Islander or Caps and he’ll be thrilled to have a guy like BL skating down his opposite wing.

Either the translations are so off or he has a wayyyyys to go in terms of learning the NHL game. This isn't the USSR of the 70s and 80s where you start behind your net, make 5 jaw dropping passes, and then the puck finds its way into the net for a highlight-reel goal every single time. Fast, Lemieux, these guys are essential to establishing a forecheck and maintaining offensive zone time. I honestly didn't see him do this enough during the preseason. He was floating for the most part. No, I don't expect him to go in like Lemieux on the forecheck, but, damn, I do expect a little more. Ask Panarin how important Fast is to that line.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

That's what happens when you use Google Translate

If you were born and lived in USSR you don't need google translate.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

Either the translations are so off or he has a wayyyyys to go in terms of learning the NHL game. This isn't the USSR of the 70s and 80s where you start behind your net, make 5 jaw dropping passes, and then the puck finds its way into the net for a highlight-reel goal every single time. Fast, Lemieux, these guys are essential to establishing a forecheck and maintaining offensive zone time. I honestly didn't see him do this enough during the preseason. He was floating for the most part. No, I don't expect him to go in like Lemieux on the forecheck, but, damn, I do expect a little more. Ask Panarin how important Fast is to that line.

I agree, I get the vibe he does not really get how NHL hockey works. But on the other hand I get a vibe that he is smart and thoughtful, so I do think he will get it if he comes with an open mind and not sulk.