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

[nyr2k2]

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.

I have been hard on him, but I do agree he seems to be intelligent, thoughtful, and introspective. Which gives you hope that he can figure it all out from a psychological perspective.

 

[Anthony5967]

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.

One can only hope, and I believe JG, JD, Quinn, Bobrov, will all sit down with him and explain all this to him.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

One can only hope, and I believe JG, JD, Quinn, Bobrov, will all sit down with him and explain all this to him.

I have a feeling they assume that everybody understands what NHL hockey is about and assume all players know what "playing the right way" means. Does Kravtsov even know how to throw a body check?

 

[EdJovanovski]

I have a feeling they assume that everybody understands what NHL hockey is about and assume all players know what "playing the right way" means. Does Kravtsov even know how to throw a body check?

I remember in the (first?) Traverse City game last year Kravtsov nailed someone on their ass right off the faceoff lol

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

I remember in the (first?) Traverse City game last year Kravtsov nailed someone on their ass right off the faceoff lol

you sure it was Kravtsov? Maybe Rykov?

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

you sure it was Kravtsov? Maybe Rykov?

Let's not pretend Kravtsov is a player who never delivers a check. He doesn't fly around like a headless chicken hitting every player all the time, but he battles for the puck like every other player

 

[EdJovanovski]

you sure it was Kravtsov? Maybe Rykov?

I’m 100% sure, I’ll try to find it. I believe it was right off the opening draw of the game and the player he hit didn’t even have the puck, I thought he was going to get a penalty

edit:

So it was opening shift against the Blues

 

[romba]

if he comes with an open mind

That's the key, and it takes maturity.

 

[Mikos87]

I don't have a problem with his comments. The Rangers took two kids from mean out of Europe with their top 10 picks, and brought both of them to HFD. Both of these guys made more, and had a higher quality of life back home rather than in HFD.

Does VK sound a little cocky, yeah... perhaps... but I don't have a problem with it. There's nothing wrong with a top offensive prospect having some over the moon goals. His perspective may not be where it needs to be yet, but that's where you have to remember he's 20.

It's all about what he does on the ice out there. Gets bigger, stronger, and plays a consistent game... then he will push for a spot in the NHL. Just too good not too. Doesn't do the little things... then he's not going to be in the show.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

I’m 100% sure, I’ll try to find it. I believe it was right off the opening draw of the game and the player he hit didn’t even have the puck, I thought he was going to get a penalty

edit:

So it was opening shift against the Blues

video doesn't work, but it makes me feel a little less nervous about him, knowing he can play with some intensity.

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Let's not pretend Kravtsov is a player who never delivers a check. He doesn't fly around like a headless chicken hitting every player all the time, but he battles for the puck like every other player

Let’s not pretend he’s really seen him play.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Let’s not pretend he’s really seen him play.

He grew up in the Soviet Union, speaks Russian, but hasn't paid any attention to the highest Russian ever drafted by us...

 

[Mac n Gs]

He grew up in the Soviet Union, speaks Russian, but hasn't paid any attention to the highest Russian ever drafted by us...

It's almost like it's an obvious troll that people keep feeding into every single time.

 

[GAGLine]

It's all about what he does on the ice out there. Gets bigger, stronger, and plays a consistent game... then he will push for a spot in the NHL. Just too good not too. Doesn't do the little things... then he's not going to be in the show.

My concern from the interview is exactly that. Maybe it was the translation. Maybe the things he doesn't understand are actually things he didn't understand at the time, but does now, and the translation didn't get the tense correct. Who knows. Either way, he has to understand that doing the little things is what will make him successful in the NHL. Winning board battles, dumping the puck when there isn't a safe entry into the zone, back-checking hard, having an active stick.

This kid could learn so much from just watching the way Panarin plays. I really hope management staples the two of them together for the next 6 years. Kravtsov has a size advantage that Panarin lacks, but Panarin still wins a lot of battles, especially in open ice, with his skating and stick work.

 

[NYSPORTS]

That's the key, and it takes maturity.

Awkward and confusing to gage time for development and maturity when the calendar we rely on should read prospect camp with 20/21 training camp due in Sept. Yet we’re still trying to start camp for 19/20 so we can finish the season.

 

[NYSPORTS]

I don't have a problem with his comments. The Rangers took two kids from mean out of Europe with their top 10 picks, and brought both of them to HFD. Both of these guys made more, and had a higher quality of life back home rather than in HFD.
.

lol, but Hartford does have a Dunkin Donuts ball Park which loses approx $3 million annually. Go Yard Goats!!!! Heck, i’d leave too.

 

[Mikos87]

My concern from the interview is exactly that. Maybe it was the translation. Maybe the things he doesn't understand are actually things he didn't understand at the time, but does now, and the translation didn't get the tense correct. Who knows. Either way, he has to understand that doing the little things is what will make him successful in the NHL. Winning board battles, dumping the puck when there isn't a safe entry into the zone, back-checking hard, having an active stick.

This kid could learn so much from just watching the way Panarin plays. I really hope management staples the two of them together for the next 6 years. Kravtsov has a size advantage that Panarin lacks, but Panarin still wins a lot of battles, especially in open ice, with his skating and stick work.

Same with Buchnevich even. Buch's had a couple of ups and downs from the minors. It's work habits... I hope VK and Bread keep up through video calls. Bread should do those calls shirtless, next to a stack of cash, with a cameo from his other half while schooling VK on what it takes. That'd be a hilarious IG video.

 

[GAGLine]

Same with Buchnevich even. Buch's had a couple of ups and downs from the minors. It's work habits... I hope VK and Bread keep up through video calls. Bread should do those calls shirtless, next to a stack of cash, with a cameo from his other half while schooling VK on what it takes. That'd be a hilarious IG video.

Buch has come a long way from where he was when he first got here, and he was older when he got here than Kravtsov was. I'm sure Panarin and Buch talk a lot.

Honestly, many of our players could learn by watching Panarin, not just the Russian kids. None of them have Panarin's skill or brain, but they can emulate his work ethic and his play away from the puck. They can watch Mika too.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

He grew up in the Soviet Union, speaks Russian, but hasn't paid any attention to the highest Russian ever drafted by us...

interesting, how exactly am I supposed to follow him. And I pretty much stopped watching Russian TV after Putin invaded Ukraine which is where I am from.

 

[Anthony5967]

Same with Buchnevich even. Buch's had a couple of ups and downs from the minors. It's work habits... I hope VK and Bread keep up through video calls. Bread should do those calls shirtless, next to a stack of cash, with a cameo from his other half while schooling VK on what it takes. That'd be a hilarious IG video.

LOL, incredible.

 

[FIRE DRURY]

interesting, how exactly am I supposed to follow him. And I pretty much stopped watching Russian TV after Putin invaded Ukraine which is where I am from.

Here’s the thing... If you haven’t watched someone play, don’t sit there and make pretend you know what you’re talking about. You seem to do that quite a bit and numerous posters keep catching it.

There’s nothing wrong with not knowing about a player. There’s too much hockey being played worldwide to follow everyone.

 

[NYRangers16]

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

My point wasn't to compare the two. Given the draft capital expended, I'd argue BOTH would sting if they don't pan out.

However, it takes more than one prospect to build a hockey team.

Lias + Kravtsov both failing would be pretty devastating though. And I don't even want to think about Kakko. I've argued to be patient with him, so I won't even bring up 3 straight 1st rd. fails...

 

[NYRangers16]

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.

*3 straight

Lol I purposely avoided this idea...

 

[RGY]

I don't have a problem with his comments. The Rangers took two kids from mean out of Europe with their top 10 picks, and brought both of them to HFD. Both of these guys made more, and had a higher quality of life back home rather than in HFD.

Does VK sound a little cocky, yeah... perhaps... but I don't have a problem with it. There's nothing wrong with a top offensive prospect having some over the moon goals. His perspective may not be where it needs to be yet, but that's where you have to remember he's 20.

It's all about what he does on the ice out there. Gets bigger, stronger, and plays a consistent game... then he will push for a spot in the NHL. Just too good not too. Doesn't do the little things... then he's not going to be in the show.

When I read the VK comments, I cant help but think of Alex Kovalev. And boy I would be happy to have a player of that caliber.

 

[Kakko Schmakko]

When I read the VK comments, I cant help but think of Alex Kovalev. And boy I would be happy to have a player of that caliber.

I think Anisimov might be closer comparison: