Confirmed with Link: Kravtsov requests trade

[NYRKing]

I don’t understand why people blame management here. Kravtsov was hurt, he’s not ready to assume a ton of minutes and he can definitely benefit from getting those minutes in the AHL. He’s very talented, but this decision is trash on his part. He needs more time to develop.

unfortunately, this is not Lias mudskates andersson. Kravtsov can very well develop similar to Buch but we’re likely to get pennies on the dollar with this attitude.

 

[EdJovanovski]

I'm glad that it sounds like the Rangers are trying to make it work with him, admit to your own faults; hopefully Krav will admit to his and they can reconcile. The balls in his court now, hopefully he comes to his senses & returns. This situation is a lose/lose right now. Everyone loves a good redemption story, hopefully things will work out. There are a lot of things going for this team right now but one thing we're lacking is that offensive flare, Krav has it

 

[clmetsfan]

I don’t understand why people blame management here. Kravtsov was hurt, he’s not ready to assume a ton of minutes and he can definitely benefit from getting those minutes in the AHL. He’s very talented, but this decision is trash on his part. He needs more time to develop.

unfortunately, this is not Lias mudskates andersson. Kravtsov can very well develop similar to Buch but we’re likely to get pennies on the dollar with this attitude.

Because apparently to some, having a work ethic isn't necessary as long as you have raw talent, even if it never translates into actual success on the ice.

 

[LiveLongandProspal]

Gallant to Kravtsov: what? You think I actually WANT to play Hunt?

 

[NikC]

Depends on what your definition of Great is.

Chris Drury won a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2001, is a three-time medalist in international competition, is the only player ever to capture the Calder Memorial Trophy and Hobey Baker Memorial Award and helped Boston University earn the NCAA title in 1995.

https://www.nhl.com/news/chris-drury-recognized-as-winner-at-every-level/c-792403

 

[Tawnos]

This is a bad look for Drury. If he knew there were going to be issues with Krav he should've acted accordingly and not let Buch go.

If anything, opening up the spot by trading Buchnevich should've given Kravtsov the extra motivation he needed to make the team. What seemed like a difficult situation got easier for him and he still didn't grab it.

 

[chosen]

It's all so incredibly complex.

A player is not in game shape and gets sent down to get in shape.

The player runs to Russia because he's a spoiled brat.

 

[RangerBoy]

If Vitaly had reported to Hartford last Tuesday, he would have called up a few days later. The coach likes him. He picked up the phone and tried to change Kravtsov's mind about coming back. Vitaly probably would have played last night in Toronto.

Many young players struggle early in their careers. I was listening to the Jeff Marek show today. It's available on iTunes podcasts. Elliotte Friedman is a daily guest. Jeff said Troy Terry wanted out of Anaheim. They didn't trade him. We aren't trading you. Suck it up and move on.

 

[EdJovanovski]

It's all so incredibly complex.

A player is not in game shape and gets sent down to get in shape.

The player runs to Russia because he's a spoiled brat.

If he's not in game shape, what kind of shape are Laf & Kakko in? Those guys are out of breath every time they come to the bench

 

[smoneil]

The team needs a top six RW. Even with Kravtsov back--as he currently is as a player--we don't have one. The roster is LOADED with bottom 6 RW guys. We need what we needed at the end of pre-season--for Kravtsov to go down to the AHL, get a ton of minutes in all situations, and push through those final obstacles that are currently getting in the way of him being that top six winger. He's the only guy we have who can develop into that, and going to the AHL is the fastest way for that to happen. Bringing him back to play the 3rd line in the NHL is a waste of everyone's time. That's not what we need him to be (nor is it, I'd wager, what Kravtsov wants to be).

If he doesn't want to do that? Fine. Move his ass. Frankly, even if he DOES want to do that, I would be looking to trade him as soon as his value starts to spike, as I don't trust his character after two pout sessions in Russia.

 

[Tawnos]

If Vitaly had reported to Hartford last Tuesday, he would have called up a few days later. The coach likes him. He picked up the phone and tried to change Kravtsov's mind about coming back. Vitaly probably would have played last night in Toronto.

Many young players struggle early in their careers. I was listening to the Jeff Marek show today. It's available on iTunes podcasts. Elliotte Friedman is a daily guest. Jeff said Troy Terry wanted out of Anaheim. They didn't trade him. We aren't trading you. Suck it up and move on.

That first part is the craziest thing about all of this, to me. Not that it wasn't predictable but seriously.

I wonder what his peers think about it? And by that I mean the young players also with the organization who didn't make the team out of camp. Barron is probably happy that Kravtsov made him a few thousand extra dollars. Are any of them *not* shaking their heads at his behavior here? Is anyone with the big club?

 

[smoneil]

If he's not in game shape, what kind of shape are Laf & Kakko in? Those guys are out of breath every time they come to the bench

Kakko put up 5 points in preseason. Laf put up 4. As someone else noted, production leads to a longer leash.

Kravtsov didn't produce. He didn't produce in his 20 game stretch last year. He didn't produce in his previous (brief) stint in the AHL.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

I don't think it's fair to link the Buch trade to this. Buch was primarily a cap casualty (no way to sign him w/ Fox & Mika/Mika's hypothetical replacement getting big $ next year). Opening space on the right side was a secondary benefit, but that was primarily a cap move.

 

[haveandare]

Gallant to Kravtsov: what? You think I actually WANT to play Hunt?

The crazy thing is if I remember right, Hunt has scored at a better pace than Kravstov in the NHL and a far, far better pace than Kravstov in the AHL. People seem to not really notice that he’s accomplished so, so little in NA so far.

 

[rangers1314]

I also find it very funny that this organization actually does have a player who's well within his rights to be furious at being sent down, Zac Jones.

 

[gravey9]

Just out of curiosity--if getting yelled at a couple of times by his boss is such a trauma-inducing event, why did Krav report to camp in the first place? It's almost like the yelling incidents wouldn't have mattered to him if he had been handed what he wanted (a free space in the team). Sounds like just another excuse to justify him bailing on his contract because he was expected to earn his spot. Don't want to get sent down to the AHL? Play better than the guys who made the team in top 9 spots. He didn't, so it's clearly Drury's fault for yelling at him two years ago.

So, here's the thing I don't get. You cannot possibly get to this level of hockey without getting yelled at by a coach. The baseline for on-ice communication either in practice or during games is pretty much something closer to yelling than talking calmly. Hockey rinks are acoustically very challenging. Yelling happens constantly during every practice. Of course, Kravtsov has an issue with being insulted moreso than being yelled at. But still, again, practices are also regularly filled with these kinds of motivational insults from coaches to players. Even today its quite typical.

My young son recently tried hockey. He needed work on his skating and I took him to a few clinics. One of which was run by a bunch of ex-NHL players who were Russian. The practice was filled with coaches shouting, yelling and barking at kids and slamming sticks on ice. Very aggressive. I felt like I was back in the 80s. Maybe more aggressive actually. All of these guys were brought up in Russia in the last 3 decades. I would say the barking was considerably more aggressive than most American youth coaches my son has had. This is no knock on these Russian coaches. I was taken aback at first just cause my son is still pretty young but I ultimately found it charming. I appreciated the passion even though it was very old school. This was literally my son's 2nd hockey clinic experience in his life.

The idea that VK hasn't had coaches like this at any level in his time playing hockey seems far fetched. Even in this day and age. The vast majority of players have had coaches like this at some point in their careers. What I simply don't get is how players can reach this level of play without having developed thick enough skin. It's bizarre to me. I'm sure there's a logical explanation. But I have a feeling most NHL and AHL level players would be similarly shocked at the inability to play for coaches or upper management with whom you don't see eye to eye. How quickly VK came to the conclusion that coaches and management didn't like him seems a bit striking. I mean, same for Lias.

So far what's been reported does not add up to a player being convinced the org actively is trying to hold back their career. But I also don't get how Kravtsov can possibly be that thin skinned. It requires a level of coddling that I'm not sure exists in hockey. But maybe I'm wrong? Maybe if you're always the best player on your team the coach lays off? I dunno. I have a feeling his KHL coaches haven't been so easy on him either.

So yeah even with the Staple article this isn't adding up yet. And if this is roughly the shape of it, then I think VK needs a sports psychologist or maybe moving on to something else in life that suits him better.

 

[duhmetreE]

The crazy thing is if I remember right, Hunt has scored at a better pace than Kravstov in the NHL and a far, far better pace than Kravstov in the AHL. People seem to not really notice that he’s accomplished so, so little in NA so far.

This is the part I do not understand. Kravtsov has accomplished ZERO in NA. He's a good talent full of potential. He's not a stud.

Even his KHL numbers are nothing extraordinary. He's had some success in the playoffs though

 

[will1066]

So, here's the thing I don't get. You cannot possibly get to this level of hockey without getting yelled at by a coach. The baseline for on-ice communication either in practice or during games is pretty much something closer to yelling than talking calmly. Hockey rinks are acoustically very challenging. Yelling happens constantly during every practice. Of course, Kravtsov has an issue with being insulted moreso than being yelled at. But still, again, practices are also regularly filled with these kinds of motivational insults from coaches to players. Even today its quite typical.

My young son recently tried hockey. He needed work on his skating and I took him to a few clinics. One of which was run by a bunch of ex-NHL players who were Russian. The practice was filled with coaches shouting, yelling and barking at kids and slamming sticks on ice. Very aggressive. I felt like I was back in the 80s. Maybe more aggressive actually. All of these guys were brought up in Russia in the last 3 decades. I would say the barking was considerably more aggressive than most American youth coaches my son has had. This is no knock on these Russian coaches. I was taken aback at first just cause my son is still pretty young but I ultimately found it charming. I appreciated the passion even though it was very old school. This was literally my son's 2nd hockey clinic experience in his life.

The idea that VK hasn't had coaches like this at any level in his time playing hockey seems far fetched. Even in this day and age. The vast majority of players have had coaches like this at some point in their careers. What I simply don't get is how players can reach this level of play without having developed thick enough skin. It's bizarre to me. I'm sure there's a logical explanation. But I have a feeling most NHL and AHL level players would be similarly shocked at the inability to play for coaches or upper management with whom you don't see eye to eye. How quickly VK came to the conclusion that coaches and management didn't like him seems a bit striking. I mean, same for Lias.

So far what's been reported does not add up to a player being convinced the org actively is trying to hold back their career. But I also don't get how Kravtsov can possibly be that thin skinned. It requires a level of coddling that I'm not sure exists in hockey. But maybe I'm wrong? Maybe if you're always the best player on your team the coach lays off? I dunno. I have a feeling his KHL coaches haven't been so easy on him either.

So yeah even with the Staple article this isn't adding up yet. And if this is roughly the shape of it, then I think VK needs a sports psychologist or maybe moving on to something else in life that suits him better.

Congratulations on your son trying hockey. I like to read your insights. He played in the KHL, and I'm sure there's plenty of adulting that goes on there too. Maybe he feels after the K, the A is two levels down for him from the NHL. I can understand if that seems unacceptable to him.

But, he needs a good life lesson. He reportedly comes from a well-off family, has had the silver spoon in his mouth, dresses like he don't care. He needs a trip with Irishguy to the animal hospital to see an orangutan on life support up, close and personal, to learn that life is fragile and there are no shortcuts. Life can change quickly. In a NY minute. Everything can change.

Or does the NY minute apply more to Drury? Better take care of your own. Cuz one day they're here, next day they're gone. Hmm.

 

[Levitate]

Congratulations on your son trying hockey. I like to read your insights. He played in the KHL, and I'm sure there's plenty of adulting that goes on there too. Maybe he feels after the K, the A is two levels down for him from the NHL. I can understand if that seems unacceptable to him.

I mean I keep saying this but it's not really about the skill level or needing to "develop" in the AHL, it's about learning what's needed to play the north american style game. It's different, it's an adjustment, you may be "too good" for the AHL skill wise but if you're lost playing the in your face fast paced no space game that the NHL plays then some time in the AHL to start getting accustomed to that shouldn't be an issue.

I also kinda wonder if some of that report from Staple was "leaked" info from Kravtsov's camp

 

[The New Russian Five]

If he's not in game shape, what kind of shape are Laf & Kakko in? Those guys are out of breath every time they come to the bench

Laf, yes. Kakko, no. He's skating circles around players this season. Or did you forget he was the most dominant player in pre-season?

 

[Richard Banger]

If he's not in game shape, what kind of shape are Laf & Kakko in? Those guys are out of breath every time they come to the bench

Come on. You know for a fact Kakko is in fantastic shape this season.

 

[gravey9]

Congratulations on your son trying hockey. I like to read your insights. He played in the KHL, and I'm sure there's plenty of adulting that goes on there too. Maybe he feels after the K, the A is two levels down for him from the NHL. I can understand if that seems unacceptable to him.

But, he needs a good life lesson. He reportedly comes from a well-off family, has had the silver spoon in his mouth, dresses like he don't care. He needs a trip with Irishguy to the animal hospital to see an orangutan on life support up, close and personal, to learn that life is fragile and there are no shortcuts. Life can change quickly. In a NY minute. Everything can change.

Or does the NY minute apply more to Drury? Better take care of your own. Cuz one day they're here, next day they're gone. Hmm.

I can see him feeling that way about the A. But from following his career pretty closely, he seemed to be stuck with unskilled players at both levels. I don't know. I would hope that there's something else here.

The other thing to just remind everyone about: VK had issues with his KHL team after he left HFD the first time. He was sent down to the VHL or whatever and then he came back to HFD after that. Point being, someone should needs to do a deeper dive into VK's background to see if butting heads with coaches has been a thing for him over the years. You know, one thing that can create a bad pattern is, if you've butted heads with coaches in the past and the teams always backed down. Or you were allowed to join a different team with a coach you got along with. If VK has a pattern of that and it goes back to his younger years then I could see how that makes sense because it's coming from a lesson learned over and over again.

 

[fm]

The Rangers are going nowhere with Drury at the wheel. Jesus.

 

[pld459666]

If anything, opening up the spot by trading Buchnevich should've given Kravtsov the extra motivation he needed to make the team. What seemed like a difficult situation got easier for him and he still didn't grab it.

I could be wrong, but I believe he looked at that situation and assumed the spot was his.

And it could have been his with the old saying "your spot to lose" and he lost it.

that said, being dressed down is not the issue, but I would have a problem with a boss that dresses me down in front of my peers. That would be real problem for me. I'm not sure how I would handle that.

You know, time and place for all that and such and such.

 

[The New Russian Five]

Everyone is forgetting that it is Drury he has the problem with, not playing in the AHL. He has already said he would play his up from the AHL on another team. Everyone calling him a spoiled brat are missing his real issue here. It's Drury.

And if that is the case, then that speaks volumes to how Drury handles players.