Prospect Info: Vitali Kravtsov: Part VIII
- Thread starter Krams
- Start date
-
Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
- Status
Shesterkybomb
Registered User
- Dec 30, 2016
- 17,660
- 19,368
I still like him as a prospect but he needs to be here training with our trainers as soon as this corona virus is under control. For whatever reason players out of Russia lack the core strength needed to play in the NHL, it's part of what takes them longer to adjust.
romba
Registered User
Historically though, if they take a little longer to come over and hit their Man Bodies, it becomes less of an issue and they can train on the fly. VK saw up close Miller’s insane physique and is aware of what he’s up against in the NHL, he’ll put the work in.
First goal he quick released it 5-hole. Goalie was waiting for VK to make the first move, and he did.
Second goal he had no room with the players and goalies all over the place in tight, but he had patience and snuck it through short side post and in. He’s making things happen AND finishing, it’s great to see.
- Jan 7, 2013
- 19,579
- 12,255
romba
Registered User
Let him grow into his body a little. He had a big grow spurt since the draft and he’s adjusting to his size. CK was about the same height but ripped at VK’s age, and he too struggled for a while. He just needs time and off season training.
gravey9
Registered User
- Dec 29, 2008
- 2,945
- 6,331
I don't see the need to bring him over right away. The confidence he's playing with right now. Let him build on this. Let him tear up the KHL. Let him become bigger/stronger and let him cook. And if he were try center I'd almost prefer he try it first in the KHL.
I will say that despite being so lanky, he really didn't get pushed around that much at the end of the AHL season. He managed to retrieve pucks and cause turnovers just fine. But in the AHL he was playing with AHL skill guys, which meant, there's a whole lot more grinding and dump and chasing and not only is that totally his game right now but with his lankyness it's not necessarily an ideal place for him to develop his skilled game. I don't want him wearing down because he's stuck in teh AHL grinding it out when he'll likely be a top 6 forward in the NHL if he reaches his ceiling.
In the KHL, even though he might be playing with even less skilled players than in the A, he's got more space to let his offensive game flourish. I think it's a better fit.
Lastly, of his 5 goals so far, all but 1 have come right around the goal area. I think this is an important part of his game. I don't think he'll be beating goalies form 30 ft out that often in the NHL. I think his game will be finding a way to the front of the net. I don't think he'll be terribly effective as a perimeter player in the NHL. His shot isn't exactly in the Zib, Ovechkin range. So, any and all man strength he develops will be instrumental to his game.
I will say that despite being so lanky, he really didn't get pushed around that much at the end of the AHL season. He managed to retrieve pucks and cause turnovers just fine. But in the AHL he was playing with AHL skill guys, which meant, there's a whole lot more grinding and dump and chasing and not only is that totally his game right now but with his lankyness it's not necessarily an ideal place for him to develop his skilled game. I don't want him wearing down because he's stuck in teh AHL grinding it out when he'll likely be a top 6 forward in the NHL if he reaches his ceiling.
In the KHL, even though he might be playing with even less skilled players than in the A, he's got more space to let his offensive game flourish. I think it's a better fit.
Lastly, of his 5 goals so far, all but 1 have come right around the goal area. I think this is an important part of his game. I don't think he'll be beating goalies form 30 ft out that often in the NHL. I think his game will be finding a way to the front of the net. I don't think he'll be terribly effective as a perimeter player in the NHL. His shot isn't exactly in the Zib, Ovechkin range. So, any and all man strength he develops will be instrumental to his game.
McSauer
Defense Wins Games
Would love to see this explored--especially since he seems to really be developing his two way game (in addition to his dominant offensive start) and grow into a role like this--while over there.
he did play center on a line with Klim Kostin who many Rangers fans wanted if a trade with the Blues was to be made.
Thirty One
Safe is safe.
- Dec 28, 2003
- 28,981
- 24,357
Yeah like others said I think you gotta let him develop on his own schedule a bit here and have some patience. He's probably always gonna be a lanky player and never bulk up a ton, but that's fine, you can still be a great player in the NHL as long as you're strong in the right places.
IIRC he even trained over in NA last offseason so I'm sure he at least has a general plan of getting stronger and working on what he needs to work on, but it comes easier for some guys and some are never gonna look big and ripped but can be plenty strong without looking it. Lanky bodies are never gonna look thick and strong
EdJovanovski
#FreeRempe
I’ve always thought he looks and plays exactly like Pettersson. Everything from his lankiness, his loose skating stride, how he sorta moves his shoulders and weaves around players, his shot style is identical as well. All the more reason for him to be a center in the future!!!
Can't ask for a better start to the year. I'd let him play out the year overseas and let him join the team later in the year. No need to rush him back to the US.
EdJovanovski
#FreeRempe
The mental picture of this made me laugh out loud. Miller taking his shirt off when they went surfing and Vitali just marvels at his abs and starts questioning his hockey career lmao
They’re really good friends btw which is cool, I think he’s a lot less shy than Kakko & most European players who come over young. He came over very early too and seems to really want to be here, IIRC he spent last summer with a family in Colorado to get acclimated whereas most players in that situation don’t come over until camp
You can say the same thing about most prospects not just Russians
McSauer
Defense Wins Games
Is this from the WJC two years ago and he lined up at C (or is Kostin now a teammate, idk)? He did look great there, playing in the middle and even when he was injured towards the end, he still looked dominant.
Amazing Kreiderman
Registered User
- Apr 11, 2011
- 45,070
- 40,920
WJC yes. He centered a line with Kostin and Denisenko
VK also spent the entire summer training state side last year. He's gotten a template of what he needs to work on off ice. I don't remember core strength really being an issue for Russian NHL'ers outside of Buchnevich, who was also a bit older when he came over (in his case, he just didn't like off ice training.)
As for his game, the strength portion of it isn't the most important thing as he's never going to make his living against the walls. It's clear that his board play has improved but he's going to sink or swim at the NHL level based on what he does in open ice with and without the puck, the latter has been really impressive as he's shown the willingness and the ability to get on his horse and break up odd man rushes.
Theres nothing about his game that I don't like right now. The shot rate is sky high, the goals are coming, the assists will be there once his line mates stop sucking (and they will, they were both pretty good last season), the effort, consistency, play with out the puck, it's all there.
McSauer
Defense Wins Games
Assumed as much. Would love to see him try it again now a couple years later...
JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK
Twenty f*ckin years
- Oct 8, 2010
- 80,073
- 17,712
I love how “most Russians have weak core strength coming over” because Buchnevich did
Amazing Kreiderman
Registered User
- Apr 11, 2011
- 45,070
- 40,920
Ovechkin
Malkin
Kuznetsov
Tarasenko
Panarin
Gusev
Radulov (2nd time)
Dadonov (2nd time)
Semin
They all came over from the KHL and had no problem adjusting to the NHL. It's almost as if there's more to hockey than just "playing on a smaller rink" and "bulking up". When you're good enough, you jump right in. That's the truth
NYSPORTS
back afta dis. . .
- Jun 17, 2019
- 7,993
- 4,459
some of these combine test results are embarrassing (power wise)
edit - while some of the endurance are outstanding
Last edited:
BKGooner
Registered User
- Jun 23, 2017
- 785
- 547
- Sep 17, 2007
- 24,931
- 22,855
- Status
Latest posts
-
-
-
Speculation: Roster Building thread - Part XVII - (TDL is March 7th)- Latest: Shesterkybomb
