Rangers ship out Kravtsov to KHL

The New York Rangers have officially loaned former 9th overall pick Vitali Kravtsov to the KHL's Traktor Chelyabinsk.

What this means is that the Rangers cannot recall Kravtsov to play in the NHL or the AHL until the KHL season is over in April. What it also means is that the Rangers were likely unable to secure a trade offer for Kravtsov that they felt comfortable with.

Kravtsov had, of course, demanded a trade after failing to make the team's opening night roster. Kravtsov's new agent Dan Milstein had received permission from the team to seek a trade to another team in the NHL, but evidently was unable to find anything that the Rangers were willing to pull the trigger on.

Kravtsov is a former 9th overall pick from the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and has just 20 NHL games on his resume. He was selected ahead of other top prospects like Evan Bouchard, Oliver Wahlstrom, Grigori Denisenko and the Rangers' own K'Andre Miller. Ouch. He was taken just a few picks after NHL stars like Brady Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes and Adam Boqvist. Double ouch.

In 20 games with the Rangers last season the 21 year old Kravtsov put up two goals and four points. He also managed 16 goals and 24 points in 49 games with the KHL's Chelyabinsk Traktor, as well. By my count this is Kravtsov's third attempt to make the team out of Rangers training camp and, despite having a new coach to impress in Gerard Gallant, Kravtsov was still unable to crack the main squad. Uninterested in reporting to the AHL's Hartford Wolfpack for a second time, Kravtsov has essentially decided to take his ball and go home.

But here's the thing... I'm surprised that there wasn't more interest in Kravtsov on the trade market. He has undeniable skill and, while his game needs some refining, he does have two way ability and can be molded into a valuable two-way winger. In particular, I could see Kravtsov fitting in well with a rebuilding team who can afford to move him up and down the lineup as needed.