NHL Player Transactions
The NHL witnessed a flurry of player transactions on October 2, most notably with the Vancouver Canucks placing forward Vitali Kravtsov on waivers. Kravtsov, who previously played for the New York Rangers, returned to Vancouver on a two-way, one-year deal this summer.
Vitali Kravtsov’s Performance
The 6-foot-2 winger had spent the preceding two seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) with Traktor Chelyabinsk, where he excelled. In the recently concluded 2024-25 season, he netted 27 goals and provided 31 assists across 66 games, accumulating 58 points. His performance the prior year was also impressive, with 18 goals and 34 points in 55 games.
Draft History and NHL Struggles
Initially drafted by the Rangers as the ninth overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, Kravtsov was once regarded as a coveted talent within the organization. However, his time in the NHL fell short of expectations as he amassed only 10 points through 48 games over two seasons, registering five goals and five assists along with an even plus/minus rating.
His lack of development into a productive top-six winger has led to speculation regarding his future in the league following his solid performances overseas.
Future Prospects
With Kravtsov now available on waivers, teams may ponder the possibility of picking up this former first-round selection. As the situation unfolds, many will be keen to see if another NHL franchise chooses to take a chance on him, especially considering his recent successes in the KHL.
