Prospect Watch: Rangers 1st rounder, Kravstov, puts on an offensive show
Vitali Kravtsov (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Vitali Kravtsov hype train just keeps on rolling and during Russia’s game against the Czech Republic at the U20 Four Nations Tournament, it got even faster. Kravtsov, the first Rangers pick of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft at ninth overall, has been putting up great numbers in the KHL this season with his team, Traktor Chelyabinsk. He’s scored three times, assisted on eight other goals and if some of his teammates had finished more of his pinpoint passes, he could easily have 5-7 more points. Quickly, he is proving that Rangers brass made a good decision selection him as early as they did. The kid is a gamer.
The Rangers drafted Vitali Kravtsov because they knew he could be the finisher and sniper that they’ve lacked for some time now. Late in the first period against the Czech’s Kravtsov would give the Russians a late lead with a tasty goal.
Vitaly Kravtsov scores his first goal of the tournament to give Russia a late first-period lead over Czech Republic at U20 Four Nations. #NYR pic.twitter.com/jr4uvvwjVC
— Alex Nunn (@aj_ranger) November 10, 2018
This is exactly what Rangers fans want to see from the kid. Gets the puck, goes right to net, gets the goalie to move with a nice deke and pots a really nice goal. What made this goal even better? It was on Islanders prospect Jakub Skarek. As the tournament goes on don’t be surprised to see Kravtsov score even more. He would finish the first period with a goal and an assist. This would only be the beginning of Kravtsov’s dominant game.
Kravtsov did all the heavy lifting on Russia’s earlier opener too. He’s in possession at start of this clip. #NYR pic.twitter.com/QlhWgSGOvY
— Alex Nunn (@aj_ranger) November 10, 2018
This is another very important thing to make note of it. Kravtsov, already with three points in the game was on the ice for all five Russian goals up to that point. The kid just drives play when he’s on the ice and he seems to thrive in these high pressure scenarios. The KHL playoffs and international tournaments seem to bring the best out of the Kravtsov and that only bodes well for his future for when he is going to have a lot of pressure on him under the bright lights of Broadway.
Scoreboard gave Kovalenko the primary assist here but that’s Kravtsov dishing to Denisenko. Make it a four-point game. #NYR pic.twitter.com/gjMx11F1SC
— Alex Nunn (@aj_ranger) November 10, 2018
Make that yet another assist for Kravtsov on the day. Check out that vision on that pass as he hits a streaking Grigori Denisenko. That kind of pass takes a good amount of skill and confidence to pull off and Kravtsov has clearly found some great chemistry with his linemates. His debut on Broadway can’t come soon enough.
In U20 action today, RUS beat CZE 6-5. FLA prospect Denisenko named player of game (hat trick, 5 points). His line with Kovalenko (COL) and Kravtsov (NYR) were great and a possible WJC combo.
— Corey Pronman (@coreypronman) November 10, 2018
Kravtsov would finish the day with a goal, three assists and a +4. To add to his dominant day he was also on the ice for all six goals scored by the Russians. It was a good 6-5 win for the Russians and Kravtsov just keeps on showing the world that he was absolutely deserving of being picked at ninth overall. Keep it here on ForeverBlueshirts.com for updates on all our prospect in the pipeline.
Tweets Courtesy of Alex Nunn (@aj_ranger) and Corey Pronman (@coreypronman)
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