Player Discussion Vitali Kravtsov - Signed 2-Year Deal with Traktor Chelyabinsk

[Raistlin]

He can resuscitate his career here for sure. JR/PA's masterplan is to give a depressed high skill asset opportunities to play their game in lower stakes situations. But if it's not apparent to him before, this is THE summer for him to get the body to execute his skills with. Get his family to hire nutritionist to cook for him, trainers and sports psychologist on speed dial and see if 4+ months of targetted training can show enough to Tocchet to put him with EP or miller in camp. I have high hopes for him, but the offseason laziness has to end right now.

 

[LordBacon]

A russian virtanen.
All talent but no professionalism and work ethic

 

[VanJack]

Will Lockwood and a seventh rounder seemed at the time to be a ridiculous 'underpay' for a guy like Kravstov, drafted in the top-10 by the Rangers.

But unfortunately we're finding out why the Rangers sold 'low' on this player. It's a 'make-or-break training camp for him. Of course he's an "RFA' who needs a new contract--so who knows?

 

[MarkMM]

Will Lockwood and a seventh rounder seemed at the time to be a ridiculous 'underpay' for a guy like Kravstov, drafted in the top-10 by the Rangers.

But unfortunately we're finding out why the Rangers sold 'low' on this player. It's a 'make-or-break training camp for him. Of course he's an "RFA' who needs a new contract--so who knows?

It was a good move for both organizations; NYR gave up on from Kravtsov as they see him as a player who wouldn't live up to his potential and the Canucks moved on from Lockwood as a player who didn't have much potential.

The NYR got something for what they see as nothing and for the Canucks we took a low risk / high reward chance which is what we'll need to do to pull off a retool on the fly.

Probably won't work and we probably knew that, but if it does it would be huge for us, so we should keep taking these kinds of chances as long as they don't cost us much (*cough Benning trading 2nd rounders *cough).

 

[docbenton]

A russian virtanen.
All talent but no professionalism and work ethic

Again, I don't agree with this assessment. He worked hard and produced chances and was even decent defensively. Created turnovers on the forecheck and carried the puck in transition - looked like a solid possession player. Just didn't score much - either snackbitten or needs to work on dynamism and finish. Yes, getting in better shape will help, but he works hard on the ice, and he's not all offense (in fact, that's the main piece that's missing IMO, despite the skill and vision).

 

[wonton15]

He’s going to need to beat out Hoglander Podkolzin etc. for a spot next year. I just don’t see him flipping a switch.

 

[arttk]

He’s going to need to beat out Hoglander Podkolzin etc. for a spot next year. I just don’t see him flipping a switch.

Receives message of being drafted to the military.

Switch flips instantly

 

[Nuckster]

Again, I don't agree with this assessment. He worked hard and produced chances and was even decent defensively. Created turnovers on the forecheck and carried the puck in transition - looked like a solid possession player. Just didn't score much - either snackbitten or needs to work on dynamism and finish. Yes, getting in better shape will help, but he works hard on the ice, and he's not all offense (in fact, that's the main piece that's missing IMO, despite the skill and vision).

A little more confidence will go a long way with him. People forget these are 21/22 year old kids who are playing outside of their home countries, having to adjust to new languages, people, pressure etc.

I think the fact we have a bunch of russians now Kuz, Mik, Podz and Gonchar will really help him and his relationship with Podz is really important. Podz is a focused hard worker, they are friends, he will help him.

I am cheering for Kravstov as he's got all the tools, including the mind, just needs to learn to be consistent and some confidence, which is pretty typical for young players.

 

[nyr2k2]

He’s not 24 lol, he turned 23, 4 months ago. But look at the track record that the Rangers have with other forward prospects: Lafreniere, Kakko, Andersson. They all actually have similar issues with conditioning and being gassed at ends of shifts. Especially when he’s going weeks on end without playing a game it’s tough to stay in game shape. From what I see of the Canucks practices/training and how young guys develop there, I have more faith in them getting Kravs conditioning on point than the Rangers. Russia is also notorious for poor conditioning, a lot of players come from there with poor conditioning and really weak strength. Buchnevich for example kept re-injuring his back his rookie season due to lack of core strength and AV said it looked like he’d never stepped foot in a gym in his life.

Kakko had an issue with conditioning when he first came over, for sure. But that's sure as hell not an issue for him now. He put together some of the longest, most dominant shifts of any player on the team this year and you know that. If anything his strength and conditioning is an asset at this point.

Buchnevich came over and the Rangers recognized his severe lack of strength, and when he was healthy enough to play they had him hang out and work on that in Hartford for the whole season. Something he willingly did to much success. Kravtsov didn't want to do it.

Andersson's issue is that he skates in mud, and thinks just as slow. He's just not a good player. Horrible pick. The Rangers may not have done him many favors but his actual conditioning wasn't near the top of the list of things wrong with him.

Maybe Vancouver has a top-notch conditioning program and Kravtsov will buy in. Even if the Rangers conditioning program was subpar, the guy somehow made no physical gains between the draft and today, whether training here or in Russia. That, to me, indicates a problem with the player more so than any single training program.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Again, I don't agree with this assessment. He worked hard and produced chances and was even decent defensively. Created turnovers on the forecheck and carried the puck in transition - looked like a solid possession player. Just didn't score much - either snackbitten or needs to work on dynamism and finish. Yes, getting in better shape will help, but he works hard on the ice, and he's not all offense (in fact, that's the main piece that's missing IMO, despite the skill and vision).

You’re right, quite literally elite forechecker. The defensive analytics has him 91st percentile defensively according to The Athletics model, and I believe a couple other notable ones had him at 93rd & 96th or something.

 

[MS]

A russian virtanen.
All talent but no professionalism and work ethic

I don't think that's accurate.

I don't really think he's all that talented and I thought he actually 'worked hard' in terms of trying to be diligent defensively etc. but his compete level just isn't high enough. He's a beta perimeter player who plays a timid game and simply doesn't have the talent to compensate.

If he played hungry and engaged and took the puck to the middle of the ice to take hits and make plays I think he could probably be a decent 40-something point middle-6 winger but at this point a leopard probably isn't changing his spots.

 

[Nucker101]

Kakko had an issue with conditioning when he first came over, for sure. But that's sure as hell not an issue for him now. He put together some of the longest, most dominant shifts of any player on the team this year and you know that. If anything his strength and conditioning is an asset at this point.

Buchnevich came over and the Rangers recognized his severe lack of strength, and when he was healthy enough to play they had him hang out and work on that in Hartford for the whole season. Something he willingly did to much success. Kravtsov didn't want to do it.

Andersson's issue is that he skates in mud, and thinks just as slow. He's just not a good player. Horrible pick. The Rangers may not have done him many favors but his actual conditioning wasn't near the top of the list of things wrong with him.

Maybe Vancouver has a top-notch conditioning program and Kravtsov will buy in. Even if the Rangers conditioning program was subpar, the guy somehow made no physical gains between the draft and today, whether training here or in Russia. That, to me, indicates a problem with the player more so than any single training program.

 

[RobertKron]

Again, I don't agree with this assessment. He worked hard and produced chances and was even decent defensively. Created turnovers on the forecheck and carried the puck in transition - looked like a solid possession player. Just didn't score much - either snackbitten or needs to work on dynamism and finish. Yes, getting in better shape will help, but he works hard on the ice, and he's not all offense (in fact, that's the main piece that's missing IMO, despite the skill and vision).

That was Krutov. Kravtsov is a different guy.

 

[Shareefruck]

A russian virtanen.
All talent but no professionalism and work ethic

Calling Virtanen all talent is a stretch. Shoots well, skates fast, and big body, but weak and pretty unskilled in every other respect, IMO.

 

[Pastor Of Muppetz]

Not exactly a glowing endorsement..


Canucks Under The Microscope: Can Vitali Kravtsov become a player instead of a project?

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

You're better off cutting bait and not wasting a contract.

He blows. Low energy, low pace, low IQ, low compete.

He should be KHL bound.

 

[VanJack]

when you either acquire or sign so many 'project players' as the Canucks do, it always comes with a big 'if'.

Some will work out, some won't. So far Allvin has either signed or acquired a flock of these guys. Some like Aman, Bains, Joshua and maybe Johansson look like 'keepers'. But others like Kravstov are big question marks.

The only 'positive' is that none of these acquisitions cost the Canucks much more than a contract slot. At least they didn't blow any high draft picks to acquire them, unlike the previous regime.

So if Kravstov flops and heads back to Russia, there's been no risk and no reward.

 

[arttk]

when you either acquire or sign so many 'project players' as the Canucks do, it always comes with a big 'if'.

Some will work out, some won't. So far Allvin has either signed or acquired a flock of these guys. Some like Aman, Bains, Joshua and maybe Johansson look like 'keepers'. But others like Kravstov are big question marks.

The only 'positive' is that none of these acquisitions cost the Canucks much more than a contract slot. At least they didn't blow any high draft picks to acquire them, unlike the previous regime.

So if Kravstov flops and heads back to Russia, there's been no risk and no reward.

yeah this cost like a 7th rounder so if it doesn't work out, who cares. if anything, maybe the presence of him will create the idea that there is more competition and push Hog and Pod to work their asses off as well in the off season.

 

[VIPettersson]

Love the gamble they took for a 7th. But in the time he was a Canuck he was primarily invisible. He was often losing board battles and his balance was atrocious almost like Bambi on ice. At times he seemed to pass despite being in a great position to shoot. Next season he will have to improve his strength and hopefully come with a renewed confidence too. This may be his last chance at staying in the NHL if he gets a chance at all.

 

[F A N]

Will Lockwood and a seventh rounder seemed at the time to be a ridiculous 'underpay' for a guy like Kravstov, drafted in the top-10 by the Rangers.

But unfortunately we're finding out why the Rangers sold 'low' on this player. It's a 'make-or-break training camp for him. Of course he's an "RFA' who needs a new contract--so who knows?

It was a good move for both organizations; NYR gave up on from Kravtsov as they see him as a player who wouldn't live up to his potential and the Canucks moved on from Lockwood as a player who didn't have much potential.

The NYR got something for what they see as nothing and for the Canucks we took a low risk / high reward chance which is what we'll need to do to pull off a retool on the fly.

Or it was a move by Drury to save face. Like you said, the Canucks didn't see much potential in Lockwood and he was a Group 6 UFA. Meanwhile, the Canucks have liked Kravtsov for a while.

 

[VanJack]

I really hope that if the Canucks bring Kravtsov back, they give him an extended look at center. While he may not be great along the walls in either zone as a winger, he might need some open ice in the middle to better take advantage of his skill-set.

I mean what to they have to lose? They can always move him back to the wing either here or in Abbotsford.

 

[Hoglander]

At the very least, I'd give the guy the chance to earn a spot in camp. He's young, his contract will be cheap for the foreseeable future, and he seems to have a good grasp of the 2way game, but just needs to take the next step from a compete standpoint. Could just need a little maturing, or maybe the added desperation of realizing that he might not have many more chances in the league.

 

[Michoulicious]

Will he get a QO or they keep the contract spot for someone else?

 

[IComeInPeace]

Will he get a QO or they keep the contract spot for someone else?

Seems like they’d qualify him for sure.

The best case scenario is he comes to camp in great shape, and way stronger, and makes the team.

…but a more realistic scenario is he’s more or less the same player, and managment wants to send him to Abbotsford to try and develop his game at which point he either agrees and works his tail off to improve himself (seems very unlikely) OR he refuses and goes back to the KHL where I believe the contract slot may not matter anyways (unless I’m wrong about that).

If he chooses to go back to the KHL on his own rather than report to the AHL, does the contract slot still count against our limit?

 

[Hit the post]

Seems like they’d qualify him for sure.

The best case scenario is he comes to camp in great shape, and way stronger, and makes the team.

…but a more realistic scenario is he’s more or less the same player, and managment wants to send him to Abbotsford to try and develop his game at which point he either agrees and works his tail off to improve himself (seems very unlikely) OR he refuses and goes back to the KHL where I believe the contract slot may not matter anyways (unless I’m wrong about that).

If he chooses to go back to the KHL on his own rather than report to the AHL, does the contract slot still count against our limit?

Wonder what are his chances at being conscripted? Serious question as you know that has to play a factor.