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Prospect Info: Vitali Kravtsov: Part IX

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Other than messing with the kids head I see no reason to send him to Hartford first.

I've been a critic of Kravstov's, but he and the team figured it out. I was disappointed he didn't stick in NA and learn the pro game here.

However, he's developed in Russia which was the best decision for him in hindsight. Bring him in and let him play and practice with the big club - even if he skates with the taxi squad first and watches a few games to get acclimated back into the club/system (Saying this without knowledge of the cap ramifications and if the Rangers can actually do that).

If they decide to send him down to get acclimated there I don't think you are sending the right message. You don't want him to sour on things again and have him get discouraged.

Now if he goes out and plays several games and he is huge liability after been given an honest shot, than that it a different story but you need to let the kid play up in the NHL after what he's proven he can do at the pro-level. Not to mention the current kid line isnt lighting it up and the minutes can be spread around a little.
 
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True Blue said:
I am sure he is not starting in Hartford unless his play is so deficient. If his play warrants it, he will play. If he is a giveaway machine like Kakko was last year, then his playing time will probably be very limited if at all.
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Based on what I saw from him in the KHL, I'd be surprised if Kravtsov defensive game were so lacking now as to require him to be sent to the AHL. IMO Kravtsov was excellent in the neutral zone coming back and his play defending in the own zone and moving the puck out. Yeah, he might have an occasional brain fart or error in executing getting a puck deep but it was far from being an notable issue.
 
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kovazub94 said:
Based on what I saw from him in the KHL, I'd be surprised if Kravtsov defensive game were so lacking now as to require him to be sent to the AHL. IMO Kravtsov was excellent in the neutral zone coming back and his play defending in the own zone and moving the puck out. Yeah, he might have an occasional brain fart or error in executing getting a puck deep but it was far from being an notable issue.
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I see no smoke or fire to believe that he will be anywhere but the starting lineup.

Will be interesting what kind of effects all of this has on Gauthier tonight. Been scratched. Now back but Kravstov is here and will be pushing. This is the up or out scenario, if Kravstov's play ca push.
 
True Blue said:
I see no smoke or fire to believe that he will be anywhere but the starting lineup.

Will be interesting what kind of effects all of this has on Gauthier tonight. Been scratched. Now back but Kravstov is here and will be pushing. This is the up or out scenario, if Kravstov's play ca push.
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Specific to Gauthier, he's in competition for two spots on the 4th line with Lemiuex, Howden and PDG. Chances about even so 50%. He's also in competition for 2RW and one of 3W spots with Lafreniere, Kakko, Brackwell and now Kravtsov. While everyone is healthy his chances there I'd say realistically are about 10% if that.
 
kovazub94 said:
Specific to Gauthier, he's in competition for two spots on the 4th line with Lemiuex, Howden and PDG. Chances about even so 50%. He's also in competition for 2RW and one of 3W spots with Lafreniere, Kakko, Brackwell and now Kravtsov. While everyone is healthy his chances there I'd say realistically are about 10% if that.
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This is one of those moments for him that I was talking about when I talk about some upcoming depth in general. Players like him, who will face competiton from some of the prospects, face an "up or out" situation. And that is not a bad thing
 
True Blue said:
This is one of those moments for him that I was talking about when I talk about some upcoming depth in general. Players like him, who will face competiton from some of the prospects, face an "up or out" situation. And that is not a bad thing
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Competition to earn ice time is good. Giving unearned promotions because of other factors - bad.
 
duhmetreE said:
Top 1st round pick... heart rate... Russia :( Where would Cherepanov be right now?
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He'd be 32, so near the end of his career.

I do think he would have been the difference maker in the cup series vs. the kings. It would have placed him in his mid 20s, right in his prime, and would likely had been the weapon to put us over the top.
 
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ElLeetch said:
He'd be 32, so near the end of his career.

I do think he would have been the difference maker in the cup series vs. the kings. It would have placed him in his mid 20s, right in his prime, and would likely had been the weapon to put us over the top.
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Don't kid yourself, they would've traded him after it took 3 or 4 years for him to hit his stride after multiple symptoms and send downs/call ups /s
 
CupSeeker said:
This is flat out false. He is emerging with the puck more often than not. Often beating two defenders on the boards. He now needs to finish his chances and if his linemates do the same, his numbers will match the quality of his play.
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I really don't know what you are watching. The only time he beat two defenders on the boards was tonight, which brought me to my feet. Was very surprised. He had a good game tonight, but still made mistakes, a few wrong decisions. Nothing critical like Blackwell threading the blueline on his backhand, that led to a partial breakaway but still... It was shortly after Blackwell's bad decision that Kakko replaced him on the second line. Kakko wasn't moved up due to his fine play, but Blackwell's blunder.

But I was happy to see Kakko not slow that line down. I have said many times, Kako has improved much over last year. But if you look at the films, you'll see one area he still needs work, is winning battles along the boards. Tonight, like I said was an exception. We'll see if he can keep it up. And I truly hope he can. I have no doubt a year or two from now he will be very tough to knock off the puck, sorta like Jagr was. But he is not there yet, and still needs to grow and develop.

His two goals tonight were gifts from Panarin. He deserved them, he's been working hard.

But the idea that he has been emerging with the puck, of the wall, more often than not,.. is ridiculous. It's possible that might change sooner than I think. Last night was a step in that direction.
 
ohbaby said:
I really don't know what you are watching. The only time he beat two defenders on the boards was tonight, which brought me to my feet. Was very surprised. He had a good game tonight, but still made mistakes, a few wrong decisions. Nothing critical like Blackwell threading the blueline on his backhand, that led to a partial breakaway but still... It was shortly after Blackwell's bad decision that Kakko replaced him on the second line. Kakko wasn't moved up due to his fine play, but Blackwell's blunder.

But I was happy to see Kakko not slow that line down. I have said many times, Kako has improved much over last year. But if you look at the films, you'll see one area he still needs work, is winning battles along the boards. Tonight, like I said was an exception. We'll see if he can keep it up. And I truly hope he can. I have no doubt a year or two from now he will be very tough to knock off the puck, sorta like Jagr was. But he is not there yet, and still needs to grow and develop.

His two goals tonight were gifts from Panarin. He deserved them, he's been working hard.

But the idea that he has been emerging with the puck, of the wall, more often than not,.. is ridiculous. It's possible that might change sooner than I think. Last night was a step in that direction.
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You've picked out his biggest strength and are saying it's a weakness. Genuinely amazed!
 
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Harbour Dog said:
You've picked out his biggest strength and are saying it's a weakness. Genuinely amazed!
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Will be his biggest strength. Just not there yet. I think you guys see maybe one or two plays where he might come away with the puck, but are not particularly paying attention when he gives it up, which happens much more often.

We're always looking for the highlights, never the bad decisions or misplays.
 
ohbaby said:
Well I'll agree he hasn't been flat on his back as much as he had been last year. But he still can't wins battles with those along the boards. He's improving but still has a ways to go.

His stick is much improved, breaking up plays, but when it comes to physical battles he's at a disadvantage still.
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I don’t like to get into these family squabbles but you really need to start watching a little closer.
 
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bobbop said:
I don’t like to get into these family squabbles but you really need to start watching a little closer.
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I watch the games live, and watch the replays the next day. I don't know how much closer I can look. Tonight, he won a battle against two defenders along the wall. That was new. It hasn't been a regular thing.
 
kovazub94 said:
Based on what I saw from him in the KHL, I'd be surprised if Kravtsov defensive game were so lacking now as to require him to be sent to the AHL. IMO Kravtsov was excellent in the neutral zone coming back and his play defending in the own zone and moving the puck out. Yeah, he might have an occasional brain fart or error in executing getting a puck deep but it was far from being an notable issue.
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Kravtsov is pretty smart defensively for his age. I agree that even if the offense doesn’t come this season, he can still play in the bottom 6.
 
ohbaby said:
I watch the games live, and watch the replays the next day. I don't know how much closer I can look. Tonight, he won a battle against two defenders along the wall. That was new. It hasn't been a regular thing.
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He's been winning board battles every single game.I'm honestly not sure what you think you've been watching to come up with that comment
 
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Profet said:
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Looks like a kid in that clip compared to now. Can't wait to see what he can do. I say get him in there for Thursday's game for sure and give him a chance to stand out. I think he'd really like one and I'd like to see him seize that opportunity.
 
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