Prospect Info: Vitali Kravtsov: Part VIII

[nyr2k2]

Alex Nunn posted a highlight video of Kravtsov's game. Great to see how impactful he seemed in those clips. He looked even better than he did in HFD at end of the season. Doing it all, hitting, forechecking, passing, shooting. If he keeps it up...

I would hope so, because he still looked pretty mediocre at the end of Hartford's season, IMO.

 

[Kovalev27]

No likes for either of you. : )

Being able to carry the puck and play boards on offense doesn’t make him a center. Defensive side in the own zone is what makes player a center.

he is a very defensively conscious player and extremely smart

I think he’d have the puck more at center too. Just have always wanted to see more of him there

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

No likes for either of you. : )

Being able to carry the puck and play boards on offense doesn’t make him a center. Defensive side in the own zone is what makes player a center.

He has the tools you would need to excel on the defensive side of the puck.

Long reach, check. Speed, check. Effort that he displayed in that video? if that stays consistent, Check.

Positioning can be taught. He'll likely suck at face offs, but if theres a long term spot for him here moving forward, its at C.

 

[gravey9]

he is a very defensively conscious player and extremely smart

I think he’d have the puck more at center too. Just have always wanted to see more of him there

I think there's validity to this idea. In part because a big part of his game is his skating. And he's so good at carrying the puck through the neutral zone.

I think Traktor plays on a larger ice surface and it just seems like there's so much more room for him, so he really gets to use skating as a weapon. But playing the wing on smaller surfaces in NA means he's a bit more stationary in the D zone. Its' harder for him to find the space to uncoil his long stride.

I also think he's a far better playmaker than a shooter. Very nice vision. And in many ways his skill set is more suitable to 2C than Chytil. But we'll see... But, I do see where this is coming from. For now, I'd like him to grow his game and keep playing. And just grow in his confidence. If he can build on his physical game today and continue to use his body without getting too worn down I think that will create more possibilities down the road re: NHL deployment.

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I think there's validity to this idea. In part because a big part of his game is his skating. And he's so good at carrying the puck through the neutral zone.

I think Traktor plays on a larger ice surface and it just seems like there's so much more room for him, so he really gets to use skating as a weapon. But playing the wing on smaller surfaces in NA means he's a bit more stationary in the D zone. Its' harder for him to find the space to uncoil his long stride.

I also think he's a far better playmaker than a shooter. Very nice vision. And in many ways his skill set is more suitable to 2C than Chytil. But we'll see... But, I do see where this is coming from. For now, I'd like him to grow his game and keep playing. And just grow in his confidence. If he can build on his physical game today and continue to use his body without getting too worn down I think that will create more possibilities down the road re: NHL deployment.

I think every KHL team moved to the small ice this year.

 

[gravey9]

I think every KHL team moved to the small ice this year.

Really? So maybe he's just skating at another level compared to the rest of the league. Or maybe it's style of play. But it just seems like there's more room out there compared to the NHL and even the AHL.

 

[kovazub94]

I think every KHL team moved to the small ice this year.

All but two clubs are playing on either North American or Finnish (slightly wider) size rinks.

 

[Kovalev27]

Small ice now. Just looks like he was flying

 

[Brooklyn Rangers Fan]

Looks great from those clips. Very exciting to see.

 

[Igor Shestyorkin]

Kravtsov's skill was always undeniable. Just need to see progress now. Solid game from him today, liked the puck pursuit.

 

[Harbour Dog]

That highlight reel is a beaut.

Love that he found his tenacity again. Now bring it back to North America when you come, Kid!

 

[nyr2k2]

He skated hard and back-checked well when he was here. The problem was the decisions he would make with the puck on his stick--carrying when he should dump, when he should pass, passing up shots, etc. Lots of lateral movement and not enough North-South. The effort was definitely there, it was just the decision-making.

 

[Harbour Dog]

He skated hard and back-checked well when he was here. The problem was the decisions he would make with the puck on his stick--carrying when he should dump, when he should pass, passing up shots, etc. Lots of lateral movement and not enough North-South. The effort was definitely there, it was just the decision-making.

Yeah, that's fair.

I just don't remember him being so assertive in the handful of games I watched. Perhaps having to adjust to the style of game here and the new decisions that come with it, he stopped playing instinctively for a while.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I think every KHL team moved to the small ice this year.

Dinamo Riga and Kunlun Red Star got dispensation to stick to larger ice surfaces, but every other team has a smaller rink. I'm unsure on the exact dimensions but I am working on that with a friend in Russia to get those details. Teams are either on NHL-sized rinks, or hybrid like they use in Finland. I think Traktor switched to NHL-size but will have to find confirmation

 

[pld459666]

Looks pretty big.

Seems more interested in taking charge of the game when on the ice

Very quick as well

One play stood out was after circling behind the net, he stutter stopped, fed the breakout pass to the far point and was in position to take the return on the fly.

Smart, nice touch and quickness all on the same breakout.

I agree with the masses, C looks good for him

 

[kovazub94]

Dinamo Riga and Kunlun Red Star got dispensation to stick to larger ice surfaces, but every other team has a smaller rink. I'm unsure on the exact dimensions but I am working on that with a friend in Russia to get those details. Teams are either on NHL-sized rinks, or hybrid like they use in Finland. I think Traktor switched to NHL-size but will have to find confirmation

I’m pretty sure I read an article that Traktor installed Finnish size boards (had a video too)

 

[kovazub94]

Dinamo Riga and Kunlun Red Star got dispensation to stick to larger ice surfaces, but every other team has a smaller rink. I'm unsure on the exact dimensions but I am working on that with a friend in Russia to get those details. Teams are either on NHL-sized rinks, or hybrid like they use in Finland. I think Traktor switched to NHL-size but will have to find confirmation

Finnish size.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Kravtsov looks a lot faster. Thats the player we drafted, i know its one game but he looks much better.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

Finnish size.

Thanks.

 

[Entrancemperium]

I want Kravtsov to be a center seeing as the Rangers center depth is.... meh...... and that also makes me ask this question.

Will he be able to handle it or is it that we want him to be a center?

And I know he looked at the very least decent in the world juniors at center but yeah.... I wonder....

 

[Synergy27]

I’m glad everyone here seems to be impressed with VK’s first game. Looks like an average game from an average player to me. I don’t think VK is just an average player, but I’m not blown away by what I saw in this reel either.

 

[kovazub94]

I’m glad everyone here seems to be impressed with VK’s first game. Looks like an average game from an average player to me. I don’t think VK is just an average player, but I’m not blown away by what I saw in this reel either.

What would’ve impressed you?

 

[NYSPORTS]

hmm, no fans but doubt that’s a bubble tournament. We’re all hoping

 

[kovazub94]

I want Kravtsov to be a center seeing as the Rangers center depth is.... meh...... and that also makes me ask this question.

Will he be able to handle it or is it that we want him to be a center?

And I know he looked at the very least decent in the world juniors at center but yeah.... I wonder....

Same, I think recognizing a center in Kravtsov is more of a wishful thinking.

Look, in his draft year and D+1 in Traktor he played almost exclusively as a wing. Last year in Hartford he was (almost) exclusively as a wing.
This year Kravtsov again has a wing position in Traktor’s top two lines and it would need to be a dire situation like losing at least 2 out of their C1, C2 or C3 that he might get a center consideration, maybe even worse.
Next year he almost certainly will be tried at the wing when they decide to give him a chance with the Rangers. After that? It will be more than two years from now and it would mean that the Rangers center depth hasn’t been addressed which I surely hope would not the case. Definitely a worse scenario than simply have Kravtsov eventually push Kreider to the 3rd line.

 

[kovazub94]

hmm, no fans but doubt that’s a bubble tournament. We’re all hoping

There were fans. I think only three teams announced that they won’t let fans into arenas. Requirement is six feet (1.5 meters actually) so they sell only every other seat unless sold to families.

BTW, Traktor was missing quite a few players and remember I mentioned that there was a report where Traktor had 5 covid positives during preseason.