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Though much of the Rangers’ preseason buzz has been focused around the high profile arrivals of Artemi Panarin and Kaapo Kakko, there’s another wing who is making quite an impression.
Vitali Kravtsov continued an eye-opening preseason by scoring his first goal in the Rangers’ 3-1 home victory over the rival Islanders on Tuesday. The 19-year-old wing has recorded a point in two of three preseason contests, taking his tally to one goal and one assist.
After netting his first goal in Rangers’ uniform – the game’s opener at 2:07 of the second period, his goal celebration was nearly emotionless. Maybe that’s because of the fierce competition to make the opening night lineup and head coach David Quinn continuing to state that young players must earn their spot.
But this isn’t an ordinary rookie we’re talking about. Despite his tender age, Kravtsov has considerable professional experience under his belt. Selected ninth overall in the 2018 NHL Draft, he quickly developed a reputation for high-end skill and strong postseason play in the KHL.
It’s not common for a teenager to light up the KHL playoffs. Kravtsov’s 11 points in the 2018 Gagarin Cup Playoffs were the most a KHL junior player in one playoff year in league history, eclipsing the marks of Evgeny Kuznetsov and Valeri Nichushkin.
The 6-foot-3 wing’s scoring touch, vision and body type has led to frequent comparisons to a young Kuznetsov. He’s an excellent skater, excels in one-on-one situations and possesses the kind of lower-body strength that makes it difficult for opponents to move him off the puck.
Kravtsov’s total package is considerable and he clearly has first-line potential. I don’t think there’s any doubt that he will be a Ranger for a long time – but there’s going to be learning experiences along the way and adjustments to the NHL’s frenzied pace and the nuances that come with the North American game.
Quinn, general manager Jeff Gorton and team president John Davidson will have to think carefully about the merits of testing Kravtsov in the NHL right away versus the opportunity to aid his development with plenty of minutes in AHL Hartford.
Following Tuesday’s win, Kravtsov was his own toughest critic – pointing out the need to improve instead of focusing on his goal.
“I don’t think about the goal," he told reporters. “I think about my game. First period, I was so nervous. I don’t know why. I played bad. Second and third, I played not well but better than the first.”
Maybe this is the case of a young player being extra hard on himself to show that his standards are high amid an unfolding competition for roster places.
Ultimately, the Rangers’ key decision makers will have to come to a consensus on where Kravtsov is best suited to begin the 2019-20 season. Some coaches often say that skill doesn’t have an age.
If a young player has NHL ability, is physically ready and has outperformed veterans, he deserves to win the competition to make the opening night roster.
For the Rangers, the future is now. The Blueshirts have an opportunity to be one of the league’s most intriguing teams heading into the new campaign in part to an exciting youth movement. Kravtsov has flashed big potential and demonstrated his considerable skillset throughout exhibition contests against NHL pros – and I think the Rangers will end up rewarding him with an opening night roster spot.