Vitali Kravtsov only Rangers player on TSN’s Trade Bait List, tells teams he’ll report if traded

vitali kravtsov trade
Apr 18, 2021; Newark, New Jersey, USA; New York Rangers right wing Vitali Kravtsov (74) scores a goal past New Jersey Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood (29) during the first period at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

New York Rangers prospect forward Vitali Kravtsov is the only Blueshirts’ player to appear on TSN’s latest Trade Bait List.

The disgruntled former first round draft pick is currently sitting in Russia waiting for the KHL season to resume on March 1st. Earlier this month, the KHL announced an abrupt end to their regular season due to COVID-19.

The league is currently on hold until the conclusion of the Olympics.

TSN’s Latest Trade List

When TSN initially dropped their Trade Bait List on December 8th, the top 10 names included Kravtsov at #7.

  1. Ben Chiarot, D (MTL)
  2. Anton Khudobin, G (DAL)
  3. Jake DeBrusk, F (BOS)
  4. Mark Giordano, D (SEA)
  5. Tomas Hertl, F (SJS)
  6. Nick Leddy, D (DET)
  7. Vitali Kravtsov, F (NYR)
  8. Kevin Fiala , F (MIN)
  9. Phil Kessel, F (ARI)
  10. Evander Kane, F (SJS)

In their latest update released on February 11, Kravtsov has dropped dramatically to #21. Here’s a quick glance at the new top 10.

  1. Jakob Chychrun, D (ARI)
  2. Ben Chiarot, D (MTL)
  3. Marc-Andre Fleury, G (CHI)
  4. Claude Giroux, C (PHI)
  5. John Klingberg, D (DAL)
  6. Tomas Hertl, F (SJS)
  7. Mark Giordano, D (SEA)
  8. Max Domi, F (CBJ)
  9. J.T. Miller, F (VAN)
  10. Arizona Cap Space

Kravtsov tells teams he is willing to report if traded

vitali kravtsov trade
Rangers prospect Vitali Kravtsov and other Rangers prospects practice at the Rangers training facility in Greenburgh Sept. 5, 2019.

Kravtsov, 22, is playing really well for Traktor in the KHL. In 19 games, he’s registered 6 goals, 7 assists for 13 points.

He was selected by the Rangers in the 2018 Draft, 9th overall. His situation and fallout with the organization is well documented. What remains abundantly clear is that GM Chris Drury will not rush a trade, but he is expected to be moved at the NHL Trade Deadline.

Apparently, his stock has dropped because there’s been some concern among acquiring teams if he would actually play in North America.

“I’ve been told [Kravtsov] has been telling teams he plans on coming back to North America,” Elliotte Friedman said. “The other thing too is that he’s going to have to go on waivers. So it’s not like (the acquiring) team is going to send him down to the minors. They’re going to give him a shot to play.”

What is also interesting in what Friedman had to say, is what he didn’t say. That is Kravtsov coming back to play for the Rangers. If you recall, both sides put out public relations statements indicating they were open to continuing a relationship, but even at that time we said it was unlikely.

Kravtsov’s trade value

When news broke that Kravtsov requested a trade, I was told by a source that a second round pick would be the most likely return. It was also added to look at teams with multiple second round picks in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.

Those teams are as follows:

  • Ottawa Senators (34, 57)
  • Calgary Flames (41, 49)
  • Detroit Red Wings (47, 63)
  • Arizona Coyotes (55, 58, 59, 62)

Kravtsov was recently mentioned as part of a trade package for Arizona Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun. That lends some credence that Kravtsov could be made part of a larger deal.

He’s also rumored to be involved for a potential trade for Vancouver’s J.T. Miller and possibly Vegas’ Reilly Smith.

Should the Rangers not trade Kravtsov by the deadline, then the Draft this summer makes the most sense to move him.

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Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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