You can be excused if you forgot Vitali Kravtsov's previous Vancouver Canucks incarnation. It lasted all of 16 NHL games and wasn't exactly a blockbusting deal when he arrived. With one goal and one assist in that time, why did general manager Patrik Allvin decide to bring him back?
Kravstov was drafted ninth overall back in 2018, mostly because of his skating. He was moving between the MHL and VHL (the junior and minor KHL feeder leagues), so had played some time against adults by the time he was picked.
His time in the KHL came late and was heavily protected, as you would expect with a 17-year-old. There were few points, but that he got into 35 games was impressive. Even better, he showed up for the playoffs, boosting his draft value considerably.
But that wasn't what got scouts' attention. Well before the playoffs began, it was his skating. He was over six feet tall and not just fast, but quick. He didn't just charge into the zone and hope for the best, but could out-maneuver defencemen on the way.
That didn't translate well to North America. The Rangers started him in Hartford, much to his dismay, and he sulked his way back to Russia. He didn't do a whole lot there, either, and returned to the Wolf Pack after a month. Then COVID hit, and a whole lot of young players had their development thrown into a blender.
Back to Russia to kick off the 2020-21 year, where he leaned in to building a shoot-first mentality. He rejoined the Rangers when the KHL season wrapped up and didn't convince them to offer much of an extension.
The feeling was mutual, but contracts being what they are, Kravtsov started 2022-23 with the Rangers on a one-year deal. Any ideas of showcasing him for a trade were for naught, as he scored just three goals and six points in 28 games.
Good news for the Rangers, though, as they found a team desperate for size, skating, and maybe a hint of offence: the Vancouver Canucks. A trade for William Lockwood and a seventh-round pick later, and Kravtsov switched coasts.
Alas, that didn't restart his lost scoring touch. The team qualified him, but wasn't exactly shedding tears as he returned once more to his old KHL team, Traktor Chelyabinsk.
He seems to have found his feet this time around. Perhaps it's because he's more comfortable with his environment, and perhaps he's just maturing into his ability. Whatever the reason, he's scored 45 goals and 92 points in 121 KHL games and was a presence in the playoffs.
With a caveat, that is. He had more KHL playoff points in his draft year (6 goals, 11 points in 16 games) than he did this year (6 goals, 7 points in 19 games). On the other hand, he played further down the lineup when he was young and took advantage. That's a different role than being expected to lead your team.
These recent results have inspired him to try his hand at the NHL once more. So he found a team that was desperate for size, skating, and some offence that just happened to have his rights: the Vancouver Canucks.
Kravtsov has a league-minimum, two-way deal and will be hard-pressed to find a spot with Vancouver. As they are currently configured, in any case. There are plenty of players in Vancouver's system who have earned a shot at the bigs, especially on the wing.
All of them are more reliable defensively than Kravtsov right now, and that matters. If you aren't scoring, then the other team shouldn't be, either, is a mantra for any team's bottom six. And we don't know if Kravtsov can score in the NHL.
So why is he here? The Canucks need a centre, not another winger! Saying that, should a winger get moved in a trade, then having a skilled, offence-oriented replacement handy at a rock-bottom price? Very convenient, indeed.
Suddenly, it feels far more important to show up to training camp in game shape.
The KHL and the NHL have very different coaching styles, producing wildly different results. Don't expect leading KHL scorer Josh Leivo (remember him?) to return to the NHL and drop a point-per-game in 2025-26.
Players who can score in Russia are given far more leeway than they are in the NHL. Extra-long shifts, minimal defensive responsibility, and hanging around the opponent's blue line aren't always discouraged. It makes for very entertaining hockey to watch, but doesn't inspire disciplined play.
Kravtsov isn't waiver-exempt, so if he gets sent down to the AHL, there is a chance he'll get snagged by another team. The Canucks likely won't risk that if they've already traded away someone more established to bring in a centre. And to be sure there, they'll want a look at what he can do.
If this works out like hoped, then Kravtsov will be in the Canucks top-six, likely with some power play time. He has multiple weapons with which he can score, from elevating in front of the net to a quick wrist shot beyond the circles. And he's fast enough to get there, with the size to stay.
If he doesn't prove himself quickly, then the team will probably send him down. That's when he'll have the best chance to clear. If he does show why he was a top-ten pick in 2018, then he'll be a good asset to have, either in a deal or as a call-up. If he doesn't, well, Abbotsford lost some veterans and could use more.
In an ideal world, Kravtsov has learned his lesson and returns to the NHL a wiser man. He has scoring talent and speed, and the team will give him his chance. If he's ready to work his way into the lineup with consistency, he can be an unexpected bonus for Vancouver.
But we shouldn't be holding our breath.
