Prospect Info: Vitali Kravtsov: Part IX

[kovazub94]

Was going to mention that Kravtsov is playing solidly in the defensive zone his low minus in +/- stat is earned, not an accident.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Yeah I know, and when he did he was excoriated. When one of our forwards does it, it's filthy. Just an amusing dichotomy.

Yes, definitely. And unfortunately that happens all the time. Same with defensemen

 

[nyr2k2]

Was going to mention that Kravtsov is playing solidly in the defensive zone his low minus in +/- stat is earned, not an accident.

I'm curious, how has he been doing lately? I know someone posted some stats about his +/- a while back and it painted an excellent picture. I look now and see he had 3 minuses his first 21 games and then 8 minuses his past 11 games (not including today). Is that just noise or has he struggled more lately?

 

[kovazub94]

I'm curious, how has he been doing lately? I know someone posted some stats about his +/- a while back and it painted an excellent picture. I look now and see he had 3 minuses his first 21 games and then 8 minuses his past 11 games (not including today). Is that just noise or has he struggled more lately?

I just mushed Kravtsov - he was on for Red Stars GWG with under 1 min left. I feel terrible. : )

Nah, he's been playing well defensively. The last couple of games he looked a bit stronger physically so maybe he's been dealing with some lingering (physical or mental) post-injury issues.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I'm curious, how has he been doing lately? I know someone posted some stats about his +/- a while back and it painted an excellent picture. I look now and see he had 3 minuses his first 21 games and then 8 minuses his past 11 games (not including today). Is that just noise or has he struggled more lately?

Answer?

It's always Sedlak's fault

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I'm curious, how has he been doing lately? I know someone posted some stats about his +/- a while back and it painted an excellent picture. I look now and see he had 3 minuses his first 21 games and then 8 minuses his past 11 games (not including today). Is that just noise or has he struggled more lately?

Up to Nov 18th, Traktor allowed 34 in 21 games
Since then, they allowed 38 goals in 12 games

Traktor as a whole just hasn't been as solid defensively as they were early on

 

[kovazub94]

2+1=3 in the last 4 games.

Maintains 0.5 PPG pace in the KHL while just turning 21 yo.

 

[HFsNumber1Heel]

2+1=3 in the last 4 games.

Maintains 0.5 PPG pace in the KHL while just turning 21 yo.

Not bad. It's all about his overall game and gaining experience/reps. It will help him when he comes to NA permanently.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

That was disgusting

 

[archanfelnsx]

That was disgusting

 

[I Eat Crow]

That move doesn't work too often against NHL defensemen. It's a nice little bit of skill, but we know he has skill. I'm more encouraged that he's really improved on his play without the puck this year so far.

 

[nyr2k2]

That move doesn't work too often against NHL defensemen. It's a nice little bit of skill, but we know he has skill. I'm more encouraged that he's really improved on his play without the puck this year so far.

C'mon man. That's Chelly he beat!

Former decent AHL defender Jake Chelios. LOL. I had no idea he was overseas, honestly.

 

[ThirdEye]

That's some serious eye candy

 

[ThirdEye]

I can see Kravtsov's career trajectory similar to the of Buchnevich. Incremental improvements each year until he reaches his peak about 4-5 years into his career. With our depth at forward actually respectable now, he'll need to find ways to win Quinn's trust doing things other than scoring. Good thing is he went from our top offensive prospect to our third best within two years so there will be little to no pressure on him. Just needs to work hard and avoid distractions

 

[n8]

glad he is improving his defensive game. I could only hope he is trying to model his game after Datsyuk

 

[Levitate]

Picked that goalie apart. I mean that finish was world class

Yeah honestly getting that mustard on a backhand was real nice...nicer than the move.

We see NHLers make that move and get scoring chances fairly regularly in the NHL. it's not always a clean beat the defender for a breakaway type chance but it happens

 

[kovazub94]

Yeah honestly getting that mustard on a backhand was real nice...nicer than the move.

We see NHLers make that move and get scoring chances fairly regularly in the NHL. it's not always a clean beat the defender for a breakaway type chance but it happens

Yup, in this case the move on the defenseman was secondary - just to gain some space. The disguised backhand flick over the goalie shoulder was what made it a beaut.

 

[WojtekWolski86]

That was Crosby/Kane velocity on the backhand.

 

[Ola]

Yup, in this case the move on the defenseman was secondary - just to gain some space. The disguised backhand flick over the goalie shoulder was what a beaut.

Yeah, so much is about processing the game despite the high pace at that level, being able to make plays at top speed, in traffic and so forth.

The move itself says nothing. But to make those type of plays at that level is really impressing.

 

[2014nyr]

Yup, in this case the move on the defenseman was secondary - just to gain some space. The disguised backhand flick over the goalie shoulder was what made it a beaut.

yea the move going outside is just a way to pull the puck there using your legs to protect it...if anything the subtle hesitation on his forehand as the d got close is what bought the space...he spazzed out fearing getting beat inside and was donezo. the backhand tuck though is what makes this so awesome. very few can hit that spot from there on the move, but the disguise you mention is elite. you can see the goalie left room upstairs and might think thats him just playing it poorly - that sells vk way short. the way he rounded that corner with his blade over the puck forced the goalie to defend him cutting across the crease. one thing though - i loved the act like you've been there before celly but kinda weird for him no? usually pretty expressive after scoring, so a highlight reel goal to tie a game and nothing felt off - maybe nothing to it but seemed out of character. maybe just wanted to make the goal as disrespectful as possible in every way, which is something i'm here for

 

[SA16]

That move doesn't work too often against NHL defensemen. It's a nice little bit of skill, but we know he has skill. I'm more encouraged that he's really improved on his play without the puck this year so far.

It was a good move and a good shot but I'd have rather seen him pull up there and look for a pass. That is a very low percentage play in the NHL to both get around the defender and to beat the goalie. That was very similar to what he was trying in the preseason last year where he was overly fancy and nothing worked.

 

[kovazub94]

yea the move going outside is just a way to pull the puck there using your legs to protect it...if anything the subtle hesitation on his forehand as the d got close is what bought the space...he spazzed out fearing getting beat inside and was donezo. the backhand tuck though is what makes this so awesome. very few can hit that spot from there on the move, but the disguise you mention is elite. you can see the goalie left room upstairs and might think thats him just playing it poorly - that sells vk way short. the way he rounded that corner with his blade over the puck forced the goalie to defend him cutting across the crease. one thing though - i loved the act like you've been there before celly but kinda weird for him no? usually pretty expressive after scoring, so a highlight reel goal to tie a game and nothing felt off - maybe nothing to it but seemed out of character. maybe just wanted to make the goal as disrespectful as possible in every way, which is something i'm here for

As far as I remember Kravtsov cellys this season have been very low key.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

As far as I remember Kravtsov cellys this season have been very low key.

Yeah, that's very typical of Kravtsov. He's an introvert. Unless it's a big goal, you won't see him celebrate

 

[nyr2k2]

It was a good move and a good shot but I'd have rather seen him pull up there and look for a pass. That is a very low percentage play in the NHL to both get around the defender and to beat the goalie. That was very similar to what he was trying in the preseason last year where he was overly fancy and nothing worked.

Yeah that's what frustrated me about his play in the AHL and why I was hoping we'd be able to get him back to the AHL this season ASAP (maybe not even an issue now). He made some really tremendous plays, really high skill stuff. However, he also made a lot of decisions that led to really low-percentage plays (or no percentage plays/bad giveaways). In general he did not know what to do with the puck on his stick; the skill was there but he needed to adapt to a different style of play and I was afraid he would just stick with what had always worked if he was in the KHL.

His overall game has clearly improved but I'm not really sure he's necessarily much closer to being an impact player in the NHL than he was at the start of last season. But I'm just a "doubter" so whatever.

 

[Kords]

He looked way too casual making that play, bet his heart rate didn't even crack 40bpm