Rangers Roundup: Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil updates, plus Vitali Kravtsov back to KHL
The World Championship preliminary round is about to wrap up with Team USA looking like the clear favorite to win it all.
Two members of the New York Rangers opted to compete in the tournament but only one is still playing. Kaapo Kakko and Team Finland are in the quarterfinals which begins on May 25. Meanwhile, Czechia have also made it to the next stage and will play without Filip Chytil, who suffered a facial injury.
Editor’s Note: Corrections made to Kravtsov portion of story and improved headline. Also fixed Kakko’s stats.
Rangers Roundup: Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil
Kakko, 22, registered 18 goals, 22 assists, for 40 points in 82 games this season. All were career-highs. During the postseason, he added just 2 points (1 goal, 1assist) in 7 matches. Currently, he’s notched 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points in the tournament.
The second overall pick in 2019 is entering the final season of a two-year deal with an AAV of $2.1 million. He will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer.
Chytil, 23, recorded career-highs this year for goals (22), assists (23), and points (45). The Rangers signed him to a four-year contract extension back on March 29 with an AAV of $4.4375 million. In the playoffs, Chytil notched 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points.
Before being injured after taking a stick to the face, Chytil had just 1 assist for Czechia. Per Larry Brooks of the NY Post, the Rangers have said this will not impact his offseason training.
Here’s what Chytil had to say in an Instagram post:
After being eliminated from this year’s Play-offs, which still annoys me about how it turned out, I did not hesitate to join the national team. I believed that I could help the team to achieve one of the medals after a year, preferably the most valuable one.
Filip Chytil via IG
I’m very sad that I only managed to play one full match and one third of the next one. I was hoping that the injury I suffered wasn’t so serious and I could continue the tournament further. I have done my best to get back into the game but unfortunately it got to a point where I knew it can’t go anymore. Nevertheless, thank you all for your support and I continue to cheer for the guys!
Vitali Kravtsov will sign with KHL
The Rangers finally moved on from disappointing first-round pick Vitali Kravtsov this past season near the trade deadline. On February 25, he was dealt to the Vancouver Canucks for forward William Lockwood and a 2026 seventh round selection.
At the time, many were disappointed with the return but it now looks like a steal.
According to Russian outlet Championat, Kravtsov will leave the Canucks to sign a two-year deal with his old KHL team Traktor. Vancouver still retains his rights if he decides to play in the NHL.
The 23 year-old registered just two points in 16 matches for the Canucks after the trade. His NHL stats stand at 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 points in 64 games over parts of four seasons.
Update: It’s now been confirmed that Kravtsov will sign in the KHL.
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