TheTakedown
Puck is Life
- Jul 11, 2012
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Even if we signed him for a 2018-19 ELC. he still would not be eligible for expansion selection.
Prospect Info: With the 9th Overall Pick the New York Rangers Select Vitali Kravtsov
- Thread starter Pavel Buchnevich
- Start date
- Status
Even if we signed him for a 2018-19 ELC. he still would not be eligible for expansion selection.
haveandare
Registered User
That’s fair. Personally I expect wahlstrom to contribute sooner and Kravstov to contribute more ultimately
I asked this yesterday but it got lost in the server hickups:
In general terms, what is the historical record for how very young (18-19) Russians have fared in the AHL during the last decade or so?
Inferno
Registered User
To me wahlstrom has mike cammaleri written all over him...just with more size. Cam was a 30 to 40 goal scorer when healthy.
I remember the outrage when we picked the relatively unknown Kreider over Jordan Schroeder. Not saying Wahlstrom is Schroeder, but anything past the 5th pick or so is usually a huge crapshoot when it comes to who has the highest potential. There's just way too many variables in play.
Like others said, Wahlstrom technically has a better shot but that doesn't always translate to the majors. Kravstsov on the other hand fared extremely well playing against people 10 years his senior in important games, albeit the sample size isn't the greatest.
If I had to bet on which one will be better I'd do anything possible to avoid betting. By all accounts they are in the same ballpark when it comes to potential and it's going to be up to the players to prove us right or wrong.
People who are saying he could have been picked 5 or 10 spots up... I don't see it. And in any case, being that the Rangers thought he was the second best forward in the draft moving down was not at all something that was ever going to happen.
Like others said, Wahlstrom technically has a better shot but that doesn't always translate to the majors. Kravstsov on the other hand fared extremely well playing against people 10 years his senior in important games, albeit the sample size isn't the greatest.
If I had to bet on which one will be better I'd do anything possible to avoid betting. By all accounts they are in the same ballpark when it comes to potential and it's going to be up to the players to prove us right or wrong.
People who are saying he could have been picked 5 or 10 spots up... I don't see it. And in any case, being that the Rangers thought he was the second best forward in the draft moving down was not at all something that was ever going to happen.
TheTakedown
Puck is Life
- Jul 11, 2012
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Mackenzie and Macguire LOVE the pick. Was too drunk and yelling at the TV to listen to them, but they have a TON of good things to say about this guy. James Neal comparisons, long term player
Polar Bear
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- May 15, 2018
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Andrei79
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- Jan 25, 2013
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Hey guys, me again.
I wouldn't compare Kravtsov and Wahlstrom. Both are elite talents and both were arguably BPA at 9. 5 players had historic runs this draft (meaning top 10 in their leagues - or in Svech's case, comparable to previous 1st OA picks like Stamkos): Dahlin, Svechnikov, Kotkaniemi, Wahlstrom and Kravtsov (his playoffs). Incidentely, they were likely my 5 favorite players this year.
Since I love both Kravtsov and Wahlstrom, instead of comparing them, I can give you a run down of my viewings of Kravtsov.
First of all: I love this pick. I've watched a lot of his playoffs, one MHL game and a VHL game.
In his MHL game, it was almost unfair to his competition. It was too easy for him. In the VHL games, he was the most skilled forward but that's a mens league and you could see he needed some work on his "pro" game, meaning the finer things pros do more efficiently and the speed of the game. He was pretty damn amazing in the KHL POs until AK bars eliminated his team.
That said: he's a great skater,with a snipers shot who often looks like Kuznetsov stylistically. Great, great hands in tight and he masks his intentions just as well as the top 2 picks (ok, maybe not as well as Dahlin). I saw him downright embarass junior and lower level league Ds (VHL) and it translated into a historic pro league playoff run.
You'll be happy with him. I'm happy Ill get to watch him in the east.
I wouldn't compare Kravtsov and Wahlstrom. Both are elite talents and both were arguably BPA at 9. 5 players had historic runs this draft (meaning top 10 in their leagues - or in Svech's case, comparable to previous 1st OA picks like Stamkos): Dahlin, Svechnikov, Kotkaniemi, Wahlstrom and Kravtsov (his playoffs). Incidentely, they were likely my 5 favorite players this year.
Since I love both Kravtsov and Wahlstrom, instead of comparing them, I can give you a run down of my viewings of Kravtsov.
First of all: I love this pick. I've watched a lot of his playoffs, one MHL game and a VHL game.
In his MHL game, it was almost unfair to his competition. It was too easy for him. In the VHL games, he was the most skilled forward but that's a mens league and you could see he needed some work on his "pro" game, meaning the finer things pros do more efficiently and the speed of the game. He was pretty damn amazing in the KHL POs until AK bars eliminated his team.
That said: he's a great skater,with a snipers shot who often looks like Kuznetsov stylistically. Great, great hands in tight and he masks his intentions just as well as the top 2 picks (ok, maybe not as well as Dahlin). I saw him downright embarass junior and lower level league Ds (VHL) and it translated into a historic pro league playoff run.
You'll be happy with him. I'm happy Ill get to watch him in the east.
Eh, Kreider wasn't a reach around there as I recall. Schroeder was just dropping a bit and had the "one of the most skilled players in the draft except for his size!" tag which got a lot of people excited. Kreider's skating, size, and raw potential was well known at that point and he was projected as a 1st rounder.
I bet Wahlstrom is gonna be good but IMO the difference if they both do well is Wahlstrom being a complementary goal scorer (as in, he'll score a lot of goals but he's not going to be the primary puck possesssion driver on his line) and Kravtsov being a dominant puck control guy who is more well rounded and creates opportunities for everyone (it's a lazy comparison but like Kuznetsov).
Both are valuable, both are the kind of players the Rangers need, but they're different types. If Kravtsov really develops well then I think we'll be really happy with him and think the pick was a good one even if the Rangers passed on Wahlstrom.
- Nov 2, 2011
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Watched some video of him this morning from the dev camp. Great hands, but his skating looked subpar. Hope I am wrong, but the dude kinda looked like a bender.
Unless you're an undisputed top 3 talent, being Russian definitely drops you a few spots imo, so with that considered I don't think it was a reach.
I'm kind of glad we finally have another dynamic Russian in the system again. To me Buchnevich is a good player but he's more of a complimentary type and just doesn't have the offensive instincts you see in bonafide top line players. Yeah he's still young and has progressed well, but I think he's close to or near what his upside is. Kravtsov is able to drive play in a way that Pavel can only dream of. But considering Buch was a 3rd round pick it isn't really fair to compare the two.
I'm kind of glad we finally have another dynamic Russian in the system again. To me Buchnevich is a good player but he's more of a complimentary type and just doesn't have the offensive instincts you see in bonafide top line players. Yeah he's still young and has progressed well, but I think he's close to or near what his upside is. Kravtsov is able to drive play in a way that Pavel can only dream of. But considering Buch was a 3rd round pick it isn't really fair to compare the two.
Polar Bear
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- May 15, 2018
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Amazing Kreiderman
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- Apr 11, 2011
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He skates pretty well when he's in a competitive game. Watch the games he played for the Russian national team. I wouldn't focus on skating during a dev camp.
I was kidding about the bender part obviously, but yeah...I look forward to seeing more of him from development camp. YouTube compilations show everyone in a good light.
- Nov 2, 2011
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Just from watching some shift-by-shifts of a couple of his games and from basically all scouting reports - he is an above average skater and has very good acceleration through the neutral zone. Most important, he skates well with the puck on his stick and does well taking passes in stride.
You are.
Skating is one of his best qualities. Don't mistake a loose stride for being a bender.
After Carp's tweet earlier today regarding him making a decision on whether to stay or leave, I am hoping the kid comes here sooner. It feels like he will.
Kinda thin, kinda tall guys can look a bit strange in their skating even if they skate well. That was my impression of Kravtsov
It's the issue people had with evaluating Kotkaniemi's skating too to some extent.
not disputing that Kravs has more talent than Buch, but I still think people underrate how much talent Buch has. If the new coaching staff can develop him right I think he's a 60 point player. I think he's more skilled than Zucc
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