Vitali Kravtsov

2017-18 Team: Traktor Chelyabinsk (#74)

Date of Birth: December 23, 1999

Place of Birth: Vladivostok, Russia

Ht: 6';4″ Wt: 183 lbs

Shoots: Left

Position: Right Wing

NHL Draft Eligibility: 2018 first-year eligible

Rankings

THW (Pike';s Picks): 36th (final)Future Considerations: 28th (final)ISS: not in
top 31 (final)Bob McKenzie: 12th (final)Craig Button: 23rd (final)

Things go in cycles in the National Hockey League, and particularly in drafting
and development. In the past, there';s been a lot of chatter about the "Russian
Factor" - the nervousness that a Russian-born player might not cross the ocean to North America if they';re drafted. That nervousness has diminished somewhat by several Russian players coming over - before the NHL Draft and after it - and having success. Vitali Kravtsov of the Kontinental Hockey League';s Traktor
Chelyabinsk is a Russian who';s stayed in his motherland thus far, but is generating a lot of buzz from NHL scouts.Vitali Kravtsov, KHL, 2018. (Photo: HC
Traktor)

Kravtsov came up through the Chalyabinsk system, playing his youth hockey with the organization and working all the way up to the junior Major Hockey League in 2016-17 and up to the Kontinental Hockey League in 2017-18. He debuted in the KHL as a 17-year-old during the 2016-17 campaign and spent the majority of the 2017-18 season there - he played basically a year in the second-best league
in the world as an 18-year-old.

The forward had a solid rookie season, putting up 7 points in 35 regular season
games. But he broke out in a big way during the playoffs, putting up 11 points in 16 games and pushing Traktor to the Eastern Conference Final. When the chips
were down, Kravtsov stepped up in a big way; the only Traktor players with more
playoff points were 27 and 31 years old.

There';s a lot to like about Kravtsov';s game. He';s a big, lanky player who uses his size well, but his success on the ice isn';t dependent on his size. He';s a very smart player in the offensive zone who anticipates plays well and is able to set up his teammates deftly. If there are a couple big holes in his game, they would be his game-to-game consistency and his attention to detail away from the puck. He';s not a defensive liability, but he could commit to the
details of breaking down offensive attacks a bit more than he does.Related: THW's 2018 NHL Draft Guide

Kravtsov is likely a few seasons away from coming over to North America, as he';s still under contract to Traktor Chelyabinsk for the 2018-19 season. But he';s a very smart, mobile, dangerous offensive player with a few rough patches
in his game away from the puck. If he';s drafted by a team that';s patient and can work with him to round out his game, he could be a great addition to an NHL
organization';s prospect group.Vitali Kravtsov - NHL Draft Projection

Kravtsov projects as a late first rounder. His offensive ceiling is high enough
that it';s unlikely that he';ll slip into the second round.Quotables

"Kravtsov has the potential to be a top-six winger in the NHL but has some areas of his game that need refinement. The natural skill is definitely there and makes him a real boom-or-bust prospect. He's shown his high-end offensive ability and has had one of the best KHL playoff runs by a teenager, ever." - Ben Kerr, Last Word on Sports

"A big, skilled winger that can play up and down the lineup and provide scoring
in a number of roles. He brings grit and physical size, but could be more assertive in throwing his weight around more. Displays excellent speed on the rush and in zone entry, but could backcheck quicker. Plays well in his own end and takes away lanes. Very good hands and awareness. Kravtsov has the potential
to develop into a staple top six forward that can produce at the next level." -
Elite ProspectsStrengths

Great offensive awarenessStrong puck distributorGood finisher around the net

Under Construction (Improvements to Make)

Needs more attention to detail in the defensive zoneNeeds to add muscle to his frame to fill himself out physicallyNeeds to work on his consistency

Other 2018 NHL Draft Profiles

Andrei SvechnikovGrigori DenisenkoAlexander Alexeyev

NHL Potential

Kravtsov projects as a top six winger at the NHL level.

Risk-Reward Analysis

Risk - 1.5/5, Reward - 4/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense 9/10, Defense 8/10Awards/Achievements

Kravtsov won the Aleksei Cherepanov Award as the KHL';s top rookie in 2017-18.Interview/Profile Links

The Hockey Writers

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