By Andrew Phillip Chernoff

The Canucks trade by Vancouver for Vitali Kravtsov could prove as successful as the development of Andrei Kuzmenko for the Canucks.

The Vancouver development staff of Sergei Gonchar, Mike Komisarek, Mikael Samuelsson, Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin and Chris Higgins could work wonders with the young man if he’s willing to absorb and execute the instruction.

The scuttlebutt on Kravtsov is full of promise, if he has the right team to succeed with:

A big, skilled winger that can play up and down the lineup and provide scoring in a number of roles. He brings grit and physical size, but could be more assertive in throwing his weight around more. Displays excellent speed on the rush and in zone entry, but could backcheck quicker. Plays well in his own end and takes away lanes. Very good hands and awareness. Kravtsov has the potential to develop into a staple top six forward that can produce at the next level. [EP]

Source: eliteprospects

According to J.D. Burke, Editor In Chief of EP Rinkside:

Kravtsov, 23, is a former ninth-overall pick by the Rangers back in the 2017 draft, but he’s struggled to seize on that potential at the NHL level. As of this writing, he only has six points in 28 games this season and only 10 in 48 career games across parts of two seasons.

He’s bounced back and forth between the NHL, AHL, and Russia in the last three seasons, and it just seemed like it wasn’t going to come together for him in the big apple.

Now the Russian winger gets a change of scenery and a chance to get his NHL career back on track with a team that believes in his game.

Source: EP Rinkside: Vancouver Canucks acquire Vitaly Kravtsov from New York Rangers for Will Lockwood, draft pick, J.D. Burke, February 25, 2023

New York Rangers GM Chris Drury believes in the highly skilled Kravtsov and what he can bring, as told to NHL writer Vincent Mercogliano:

He’s a highly skilled prospect, with what Drury referred to as “high-end maneuverability” that leads to “puck-possession plays and the things he can create in small areas, with his hands, his feet and his brain.”

Vitali Kravtsov expected to join NY Rangers in two weeks; what will his role be? Vincent Z. Mercogliano NHL Writer March 12, 2021

Let’s hope Kravtsov can be as good as Kuzmenko has been in his transition to the Canucks, and help bring better times for the franchise.