Vitali Kravtsov has decided to return to the KHL. As reported a few weeks, this was a distinct possibility. That maybe became a reality today. Kravtsov decided to trigger his European Assignment Clause and report to Traktor Chelyabinsk of the KHL. New York worked with Kravtsov agent, allowing the winger to return to Russia, in an attempt to maintain a good relationship between the parties. Kravtsov could be back in March after the KHL season ends.
This is what I wrote when the rumor first broke:
Kravtsov:
This doesn’t come as a major shock but just because he is considering it doesn’t mean he is going back to the KHL. I am sure he was not happy with getting sent downs to start the season and also playing in Hartford. But if he is already ready to “jump ship” that doesn’t say much for his character or his willingness to battle when things get rough. Thai could be a negotiating ploy to try and get called up, which also would be a ride from about 70k in the minors to 900k in the NHL, though not the best way of approaching the matter. In addition, we have one source/tweet from an individual who isn’t always accurate, so the data may be flawed. Let’s see how this play out before we go completely crazy.
My thoughts:
- First, congrats to Igor Eronko for breaking the original news and also Forever Blueshirts and @StatBoy_Steve, who have been all over it.
- In the grand scheme, this is not optimal but not enough to panic. My twitter feed, airjan23, has a thread and tag on this.
- As I said, I would have preferred he stayed in the AHL and adapted to North American okay. But he decided to go back home where he is comfortable. There has to be a certain level of concern that he lacks the internal fire to succeed in the NHL and fight through the difficulties to have that success. But he is only 19 and may just need to mature.
- He is not the first player to need or want more than a year of seasoning in the KHL. Tarasenko and Kuznetsov played several seasons in Russia while Kaprisov is still in that league. Therefore to panic because he wanted a year seems foolish.
- New York may have swung for the fences in taking Kravtsov over Oliver Wahlstrom and Noah Dobson. But the team has had luck and success with selecting players in that league in the past and went for the home win pick rather than safer one. I don’t have an issue with that, as talent wins out despite the risk associated with taking Kravtsov.
- If you look at Filip Chytil, he played in the NHL last year. Dealt with the disappointment of getting sent down, is having success at Hartford and could be called up any day now. That path is what we hope for Kravtsov. Use the demotion as fuel to succeed, dominate at that level, prove you deserve to be back with the team and get promoted. He opted for the safer route of going back home.
- you could argue that David Quinn didn’t do a good job of teaching or preparing Kravtsov, resulting in the demotion. Maybe if New York didn’t acquire Jacob Trouba and sign Artemi Panarin, the focus might have been different. Rebuilding went the way of retooling to an extent, but as we have discussed, growth and building for the future long term and not short term still should be the main goal. So some criticism of Quinn may be warranted.
- Kravtsov can return to the NHL at any time. The hope is that this happens after the KHL season ends, allowing him to gain needed experience and adapt to the North American style of play. A handful of real games is better than none.
- Larry Brooks corrected his original text, stating Kravtsov is considered 20 year old by NHL by virtue of birth date, so contract cannot slide. Therefore a year of the ELC is burned. But since Seattle picks after next season, Kravtsov still won’t have to be protected from the expansion draft.
New York Rangers Blogger • 
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