One of the leaders of the Chelyabinsk “tractor” 25-year-old Vitaly Kravtsov will once again try to gain a foothold in the NHL. If the motivation sign a modest contract with Vancouver from the player is explained, then in North America they do not understand why Kenax generally needs a Russian.

Breakthrough season

Vitaly Kravtsov spent the past season as part of the Chelyabinsk Tractor. In the “regular game”, the Khl Kravtsov scored 58 (27+31) points in 66 matches, falling into the top 7 of the best league scorers-a very serious achievement. Of the teammates, Vitaly was ahead of Maxim Shabanov – “23+44”. In the playoffs, the striker was not so effective-six washers and a shit gear in 19 meetings. And over the five games of the final against Lokomotiv, the striker was noted only by one assistant and earned a negative usefulness-“-3”.

In general, Vitaly showed progress, so many experts were waiting for another strong season from him as part of the Tractor. Moreover, he became the leader of the Chelyabinsk club and could help the team be again in the main stage of the Gagarin Cup. However, Kravtsov decided not to speak under the leadership of the Canadian coach Benoit GRU and again try himself behind the ocean.

The Russian was already trying to conquer the strongest league of the world, but unsuccessfully. In total, the hockey player played 64 matches in the NHL and scored 12 (6+6) points. For this short time, the fans and experts had the opinion that Vitaly is not suitable for North American hockey. Some spoke even tougher and directly, claiming that the player supposedly lacks character.

For the first time, Kravtsov tried to become a NHL hockey player in 2019, when he tried to break into the basis of the Rangers. After the pre-season camp, Vitaly was sent to the farm club, which is ordinary practice in relation to young players from Europe. In AHL, a Russian in the 2019/20 season for 39 matches scored 15 points and showed progress. Without waiting for a call to the main team, the striker returned to the Tractor.

Photo: © Dmitry Chelyapin / Match TV

And all the hockey player made four attempts to gain a foothold in the NHL, but each time unsuccessfully. Season-2022/23-the most terrible in Kravtsov’s career. Once Vitaliy missed the match against Nashville due to stomach disorder, then a meeting with Arizona due to dental infection. The fans of the Rangers then wondered, Kravtsov – the most unlucky hockey player, or he is simply afraid to play.

– He had a malaise on Saturday morning, in the evening of this day he came to the rink, and his teeth were worried. Therefore, he spent this morning in the dentist’s chair, ”said the ex-head coach of Rangers Gerard Gallan.

In that “regularity” there were injuries. At the same time, he only recovered after one damage, as almost immediately went on the list of injured. As a result, Kravtsov was exchanged for Vancouver. In Canada, the Russian had the last chance to confirm his compliance with the NHL level, but it did not work out again.

“We are all cheer for Kravtsov”

Already after Kanax was Tractor and a breakthrough season-2024/25. Kravtsov showed that his talent did not go away, and he himself can be the leader of the team playing in the final. Therefore, the desire of the hockey player is clear again to try his luck in the NHL. The Russian even agreed to the minimum contract: the striker signed an agreement with Vancouver for 775 thousand dollars a year if he spends the season in the NHL, and 450 in the case of sending to the farm club. Given the player’s biography, he can break into Chelyabinsk at any time.

Vitaly Kravtsov / Photo: © Kevin Light / Contributor / Getty Images Sport / Gettyimages.ru

Vital has a desire to prove everything and why did this deal need Kanax? The answer to this question is not even known in the club. At least, as the portal The Hockey Writers thinks.

– The problem is in the template. Kravtsov is another reclamation project. Another example of how the leadership relies on the potential, and not on the implementation of a clear long -term strategy. But there is an underwater stone. In the Kravtsov contract there is a clause that if he does not play at least in 16 NHL matches this season, then the next summer it will become an unlimited free agent.

This is not a manifestation of confidence. This is a built -in output “just in case.” He unobtrusively signals how the club’s leadership is not confident in its role in the organization. This is not a new direction. This is just a continuation of the same, ”the Hockey Writers portal notes.

It is unlikely that Kravtsov will be able to immediately break into the main composition of the Vancouver. He will have to live in standby mode, hoping that several players will fall out of the application at once. But Kanax simply improved the depth of the composition, and they will be happy if the Russian unexpectedly shoots. In the meantime, the club does not have such a problem that Vitaly could solve.

– Listen, we are all cheer for Kravtsov. So the fans do. It would be great if he arrived at the camp motivated, received a place in the composition and immediately began to contribute. Hockey flourishes thanks to the return stories, and this can be one of them. But let’s not pretend that this is only about the second chance.

The return of Kravtsov is another reminder of what stage this organization is at: it is still patching holes, looking for bypass paths instead of laying a strong foundation, ”says The Hockey Writers portal.

Of course, Kravtsov spent a breakthrough season as part of the Tractor, but we need another good year. In the meantime, even one cannot refute the assumption that it was only a bright flash. Yes, and if it does not work out again in the NHL, then in the domestic championship there may be problems then – the next return can greatly hit by self -confidence.