Vitali Kravtsov

2022.23

…In exchange for William Lockwood and a 2026 seventh-round draft pick

by Canucks Communications @Canucks / Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver, B.C. – Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that the club has acquired forward Vitali Kravtsov from the New York Rangers in exchange for William Lockwood and Vancouver’s seventh-round draft pick in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft.

“We are excited to add Vitali’s combination of size and skill to our group,” said Allvin. “He is a smart player and a former first-round pick with a good set of skills. We look forward to welcoming him to Vancouver to continue developing his game with our coaching staff.”

Kravtsov, 23, has appeared in 28 games with the Rangers this season, recording six points (3-3-6), six penalty minutes, and a +6 plus-minus rating. In 48 total NHL games since 2020.21, he has accumulated 10 points (5-5-10) and 10 penalty minutes.

The 6’3″, 186-pound right winger has also spent time playing professionally in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) with Traktor Chelyabinsk over parts of six seasons since 2016.17. He most recently suited up for the KHL club in 2021.22, posting 13 points (6-7-13) in 19 regular season games and an additional 10 points (7-3-10) in 15 playoff games.

A native of Vladivostok, Russia, Kravtsov has represented Russia on the international stage, including the 2019 World Junior Championships in Vancouver at Rogers Arena. In seven tournament games while serving as an assistant captain, he registered six points (2-4-6), guiding Russia to a Bronze medal.

Kravtsov was originally selected by the New York Rangers in the first round, ninth overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.

2022.23

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.