Vitaly Kravtsov sent down to VHL
The Rangers’ big Russian prospect has been reassigned to Chelmet Chelyabinsk of the VHL
New York Rangers Russian prospect Vitaly Kravtsov has been sent down to the VHL for the second time since returning to Russia, but this time it appears that this isn’t just to get him some ice time when Traktor Chelyabinsk is off.
Traktor is playing without Kravtsov in the lineup. There’s a chance that his KHL team is looking to move him.
Vitaly Kravtsov will play for Traktor’s VHL affiliate Chelmet Chelyabinsk this morning. He skated just one shift in the last two KHL games. #NYR https://t.co/rxcv549Aom
— Alex Nunn (@aj_ranger) December 8, 2019
Kravtsov skated just one shift in his most recent game with Traktor on Dec. 5 and saw significantly less ice time in Traktor’s game on Dec. 3 (9:04 TOI; 11 shifts). Last season, Kravtsov averaged 15:31 TOI/GP. He’s been well under that number in his last four games in the KHL.
It should be noted that Traktor is the worst team in the KHL’s Eastern Conference, and he’s on a one-year deal and could theoretically be recalled at anytime by the New York Rangers.
In other words, they don’t have a vested interest in him, and if the trade rumors are true, they could be looking to help the future of their club my moving a top young player. Kravtsov is having a rough go of it thus far, but it has only been 11 games. That shouldn’t overshadow what he meant to the organization last season.
Related
Breaking Down Vitali Kravtsov’s Post-Draft Season
We’ll have more details for you as they emerge.
