New York Ranger’s 2018 first-round pick Vitali Kravtsov has reportedly turned down an offer to stay in the KHL and is likely to return to the NHL next season.
New York Rangers 2018 first-round pick Vital Kravstov has reportedly rejected a contract offer from Traktor of the KHL and will head back to the NHL next season.
In a statement from Sports.RU on Monday, general director of the club Ivan Savin said, “Vitaly Kravtsov did not accept the club’s offer, he did not explain the reasons for the refusal. Although we made the offer in full compliance with its requirements. The rights to it in the KHL remain with the Tractor. Apparently, Kravtsov decided to go play across the ocean. But I believe that he needs to spend a full season at Tractor and then go to the NHL,” Savin said.
The Rangers had loaned the 22-year-old to the KHL after he was assigned to the AHL Hartford Wolf Pack prior to the end of training camp. He refused to report to Hartford and instead went back to Russia.
In November the Rangers organization worked out a loan agreement to send Kravtsov to play in the KHL. He
had six goals and 13 points in 19 games with Traktor this season, adding seven goals and 10 points in 15 playoff games.
The forward has appeared in 20 games for the Blueshirts since his debut in the 2021-2022 season. He recorded two goals and two assists in his time with New York.
At the time of the loan agreement Rangers GM Chris Drury stated that he hoped that in the future Kravstov would play for the Rangers.
“We think very highly of Vitali and the Rangers development staff will continue to work with him to reach our mutual goal of him someday being a New York Ranger.”
Does the future begin with next season’s training camp?
Follow Frank Curto on Twitter at @RangerProud.