Prospect Info: With the 9th Overall Pick the New York Rangers Select Vitali Kravtsov

[Ori]

But what kind of points can we expect from him - he don`t look too confident when finish plays?
He looks like an assist kind of guy in the 2016-17 season.

Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk

MHL

41

13

23

36

18

18

|

Playoffs

5

2

4

6

0

4

[TBODY] [/TBODY]

 

[Jonas1235]

He could be a star. At worst in the NHL, maybe Reilly Smith.

 

[Edge]

He could be star, but I don't know if I'd paint his floor as Reilly Smith.

His floor is significantly lower than that. But in terms of top-end potential? I don't think 30/70 is out of the question if everything comes together.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

His floor is Benoit Pouliot IMO. But I wouldn’t say that Wahlstrom’s floor is significantly higher, and I’d argue that Kravstov’s ceiling is higher. Not necessarily in terms of production, but in regards to ability to drive offense and force the opposing D into mistakes - I think he has the potential to be a more impactful player, while having similar producion.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

His floor is Benoit Pouliot IMO. But I wouldn’t say that Wahlstrom’s floor is significantly higher, and I’d argue that Kravstov’s ceiling is higher.

This can't be stated enough. Some people act as if Wahlstrom is some sure-fire star but I feel chances of either Kravtsov or Wahlstrom reaching their potential are the same.

 

[Ori]

He could be star, but I don't know if I'd paint his floor as Reilly Smith.

His floor is significantly lower than that. But in terms of top-end potential? I don't think 30/70 is out of the question if everything comes together.

You get me hyped up @Edge I admit I`m excited for him now.

 

[Edge]

His floor is Benoit Pouliot IMO. But I wouldn’t say that Wahlstrom’s floor is significantly higher, and I’d argue that Kravstov’s ceiling is higher. Not necessarily in terms of production, but in regards to ability to drive offense and force the opposing D into mistakes - I think he has the potential to be a more impactful player, while having similar producion.

I agree with this.

I don't think Wahlstrom's floor is high, or higher than Kravtsov's floor.

I like Wahlstrom's odds of putting it together a little more and think he's a more dangerous goal scorer.

But I also think Kravstov's offensive potential is more well-rounded and higher overall.

 

[Edge]

You get me hyped up @Edge I admit I`m excited for him now.

The talent is there, cannot deny that.

He just has to put all the pieces together --- which is easier said than done.

But if you were one of the people wanting a homerun swing, the Rangers definitely took 3 of them in the first.

 

[kovazub94]

Until he gets traded to SKA.. doesn't SKA get all the top talent... Eventually?

SKA and Traktor had discussions regarding Kravtsov about a month ago and then Traktor / Kravtsov confirmed that he'll be staying in Chelyabinsk (as in not joining SKA).

Here's a link to the Russian main sports portal sports.ru that has a link to Chelyabinsk local media source where the report was originated:

СhelyabinskHockey: «Трактор» сохранит Кравцова, несмотря на интерес СКА

 

[MikeSteaks]

Wahlstrom's floor is Jeremy Morin.

 

[SnowblindNYR]

Is he really similar to Kuznetsov or is that a lazy comparison by Clark due to nationality and team?

 

[haveandare]

I would have been happy with Wahlstrom too, but the facts are he's a big kid who plays in a junior league on a team with a bunch of other top, top players for their age bracket. Kravstov is also a big kid but playing in a men's league, and as far as I can tell (please do correct me if I'm wrong), he's not playing with the same amount of league relative talent Wahlstrom has been.

For those reasons, Kravstov imo is a safer bet to reach a solid level of NHL play whereas Wahlstrom has more red flags that we've seen cause issues for other prospects in the past - dominating against kids but can't translate against men, taking advantage of being bigger than most in a junior league, taking advantage of being surrounded by incredible talent, etc.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Btw, an intresting discussion about safer pick vs more upside. Another Rangers' player was involved.

 

[EdJovanovski]

I would have been happy with Wahlstrom too, but the facts are he's a big kid who plays in a junior league on a team with a bunch of other top, top players for their age bracket. Kravstov is also a big kid but playing in a men's league, and as far as I can tell (please do correct me if I'm wrong), he's not playing with the same amount of league relative talent Wahlstrom has been.

For those reasons, Kravstov imo is a safer bet to reach a solid level of NHL play whereas Wahlstrom has more red flags that we've seen cause issues for other prospects in the past - dominating against kids but can't translate against men, taking advantage of being bigger than most in a junior league, taking advantage of being surrounded by incredible talent, etc.

Watching Wahlstrom play I can’t help but think of Jake Virtanen in junior

 

[GoAwayPanarin]

I would have been happy with Wahlstrom too, but the facts are he's a big kid who plays in a junior league on a team with a bunch of other top, top players for their age bracket. Kravstov is also a big kid but playing in a men's league, and as far as I can tell (please do correct me if I'm wrong), he's not playing with the same amount of league relative talent Wahlstrom has been.

For those reasons, Kravstov imo is a safer bet to reach a solid level of NHL play whereas Wahlstrom has more red flags that we've seen cause issues for other prospects in the past - dominating against kids but can't translate against men, taking advantage of being bigger than most in a junior league, taking advantage of being surrounded by incredible talent, etc.

Well, yes and no.

Yes Wahlstrom has been playing with better talent, but you can't really attribute all of his success to that. He has a great shot and he shoots, a ton. His shot rates have always been excellent, even before Jack Hughes got bumped up to the u-18 team.

Is he a guy who is going to make shit happen on his own? No, but when you shoot it the way that he does and as often as he does (you can question if he'll be able to continue to do this as he moves up, but this is a skill that almost always translates) all you need is a C who can get him the puck, the Isles have one of those.

With that said, Kravtsov's skill has been undersold in here. From a pure offensive skill set, There isn't a single thing that Wahlstrom does better than him other than shoot it.

 

[Polar Bear]

Well, yes and no.

Yes Wahlstrom has been playing with better talent, but you can't really attribute all of his success to that. He has a great shot and he shoots, a ton. His shot rates have always been excellent, even before Jack Hughes got bumped up to the u-18 team.

Is he a guy who is going to make **** happen on his own? No, but when you shoot it the way that he does and as often as he does (you can question if he'll be able to continue to do this as he moves up, but this is a skill that almost always translates) all you need is a C who can get him the puck, the Isles have one of those.

With that said, Kravtsov's skill has been undersold in here. From a pure offensive skill set, There isn't a single thing that Wahlstrom does better than him other than shoot it.

I think most people have realized that if he puts it all together, Krabby (my nickname don't fight me) has as much offensive upside of any forward in the draft not named Svechnikov.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

I really like that the kid came out and said that he's coming to NA next season no matter how much money the KHL throws at him...but at the same time I wish he kept his mouth shut. Do you think his KHL team is going to do him any favors developing him when they know he's bolting anyway? He will be stuck with 10 minutes a game again likely.

And don't say, " No his team will want to win so if he's plays better than other players he will get the ice time" because we all know that is about a far from the truth as they favor older players in that league with ice time, whether or not they deserve it.

 

[Fitzy]

I really like that the kid came out and said that he's coming to NA next season no matter how much money the KHL throws at him...but at the same time I wish he kept his mouth shut. Do you think his KHL team is going to do him any favors developing him when they know he's bolting anyway? He will be stuck with 10 minutes a game again likely.

And don't say, " No his team will want to win so if he's plays better than other players he will get the ice time" because we all know that is about a far from the truth as they favor older players in that league with ice time, whether or not they deserve it.

I imagine if that happens he'll just buy out his contract and come over mid-season.

 

[Vinny DeAngelo]

I really like that the kid came out and said that he's coming to NA next season no matter how much money the KHL throws at him...but at the same time I wish he kept his mouth shut. Do you think his KHL team is going to do him any favors developing him when they know he's bolting anyway? He will be stuck with 10 minutes a game again likely.

And don't say, " No his team will want to win so if he's plays better than other players he will get the ice time" because we all know that is about a far from the truth as they favor older players in that league with ice time, whether or not they deserve it.

I was right about to comment that second part lol.

But if he puts asses in seats and makes them good, they will play him for the financial solvency of the team. The KHL isn’t as stable as the NHL. Teams fold and cease to exist.

 

[EdJovanovski]

So Gordie Clark said that he had Kravtsov as 2nd best forward in the draft. So that means if Tkachuk was still there at 9 they would take Kravtsov...

Tkachuk was probably 1st

 

[Tawnos]

Btw, an intresting discussion about safer pick vs more upside. Another Rangers' player was involved.

That thread is just proof that "boom or bust"/"high risk high reward" don't actually mean all that much on draft day. Neither does "safe" for that matter.

While I'm very happy with the player we got in Kreider at that draft pick, he hasn't boomed and he definitely hasn't busted. FWIW, there were people saying that he's not a boom or bust guy... but that seemed to be the overarching feeling with him.

 

[Kshahdoo]

I really like that the kid came out and said that he's coming to NA next season no matter how much money the KHL throws at him...but at the same time I wish he kept his mouth shut. Do you think his KHL team is going to do him any favors developing him when they know he's bolting anyway? He will be stuck with 10 minutes a game again likely.

And don't say, " No his team will want to win so if he's plays better than other players he will get the ice time" because we all know that is about a far from the truth as they favor older players in that league with ice time, whether or not they deserve it.

He plays for Chelyabinsk, which is used to lose players to big clubs. This season they've already lost Kravtsov's linemate Kruchinin to SKA. I don't think, for the team it's a big difference to where its players go, to SKA or to Rangers.

 

[haveandare]

Well, yes and no.

Yes Wahlstrom has been playing with better talent, but you can't really attribute all of his success to that. He has a great shot and he shoots, a ton. His shot rates have always been excellent, even before Jack Hughes got bumped up to the u-18 team.

Is he a guy who is going to make **** happen on his own? No, but when you shoot it the way that he does and as often as he does (you can question if he'll be able to continue to do this as he moves up, but this is a skill that almost always translates) all you need is a C who can get him the puck, the Isles have one of those.

With that said, Kravtsov's skill has been undersold in here. From a pure offensive skill set, There isn't a single thing that Wahlstrom does better than him other than shoot it.

I'm not saying you can attribute all his success to that, just saying these are things that standout as potential red flags - being a big kid who only has a resume against other kids, many of whom are smaller and or lighter, and being a big scorer who plays with a lot of other great scorers.

It doesn't mean he's not a good player or only succeeds because of these things, but they're potential issues.

Kravstov has his too - aside from his stellar playoffs, his KHL resume isn't all that special. Though he's admittedly young for the league and wasn't getting big minutes. Same sort of thing, that's his red flag. But unlike Wahlstrom he's playing against people his size or bigger and he's not surrounded by much top talent.

Personally, I'm more comfortable with him than Wahlstrom all things considered.

 

[Polar Bear]

I'm not saying you can attribute all his success to that, just saying these are things that standout as potential red flags - being a big kid who only has a resume against other kids, many of whom are smaller and or lighter, and being a big scorer who plays with a lot of other great scorers.

It doesn't mean he's not a good player or only succeeds because of these things, but they're potential issues.

Kravstov has his too - aside from his stellar playoffs, his KHL resume isn't all that special. Though he's admittedly young for the league and wasn't getting big minutes. Same sort of thing, that's his red flag. But unlike Wahlstrom he's playing against people his size or bigger and he's not surrounded by much top talent.

Personally, I'm more comfortable with him than Wahlstrom all things considered.

I agree with most of this, but it's a good sign that the instant he got more minutes and a bigger role, he had his very best play of the season.

 

[HatTrick Swayze]

I would have been happy with Wahlstrom too, but the facts are he's a big kid who plays in a junior league on a team with a bunch of other top, top players for their age bracket. Kravstov is also a big kid but playing in a men's league, and as far as I can tell (please do correct me if I'm wrong), he's not playing with the same amount of league relative talent Wahlstrom has been.

For those reasons, Kravstov imo is a safer bet to reach a solid level of NHL play whereas Wahlstrom has more red flags that we've seen cause issues for other prospects in the past - dominating against kids but can't translate against men, taking advantage of being bigger than most in a junior league, taking advantage of being surrounded by incredible talent, etc.

It comes down to sample size for me. Wahlstrom's track record of generating shots, chances, and displaying ELITE shooting ability, the likes of which I have rarely seen in my lifetime of being an NYR fan (Gabby and Jagr basically) is just greater. There's more evidence. That's why I view him as safer. For Kravtsov to be a good pick the NYR have to be right that his stretch run and finish to the season wasn't a flash in the pan. There are plenty of reasons to be optimistic namely his usage through the year in the KHL. But sample size is a huge advantage to Wahlstrom.

That said - still like the pick a ton. Like taking the big swing.