Report: New York Rangers trying to convince Vitali Kravtsov to come back
A new report has emerged this evening from Eliotte Friedman on Sportsnet regarding the New York Rangers and Vitali Kravtsov.
“I understand the Rangers have asked him ‘would you like to AHL Hartford and work your way back up’,” he said. “Kaapo Kakko got hurt tonight, he hasn’t agreed but the offer is out there.”
Currently, there is no word on Kakko’s injury or if he will miss any time.
Vitali Kravtsov wants out of the Rangers organization
Kravtsov, 21, whom the Rangers selected 9th overall in the 2018 Draft wants out so bad that he will report to the AHL, so long as it is for another organization.
The young winger didn’t make the team back in 2019 and used his European out clause to return to Russia. Last year’s pandemic shortened schedule resulted in him playing the full KHL season before joining the Rangers for 20 games where he notched 4 points.
Here we are again, but with Kravtsov willing to go the minors of another club.
Talking with a knowledgeable source, I learned Kravtsov feels very strongly that he belongs at the NHL level. He is a very confident hockey player, maybe too confident to accept this demotion. There were also rumblings around the team that they weren’t happy with his conditioning in camp. The lower-body injury he suffered in preseason action may have been a result of that.
I also learned that Chris Drury was not a fan of his selection in the first place. It really should not be surprising since Drury came in an overhauled the scouting staff, including letting go of Head of European Scouting Nick Bobrov.
It’s likely that Kravtsov and his agent get that sense too and are looking for a fresh start.
Currently, the Rangers are in the same pickle as they were with Lias Andersson and that only netted them a 2nd round pick. Four teams have multiple selections in the 2022 Draft; Ottawa, Calgary, Arizona, and Detroit.
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