Fantasy Take: Canucks Acquire Kravtsov From Rangers

Ian Gooding

2023-02-25

The Vancouver Canucks have acquired forward Vitali Kravtsov from the New York Rangers for forward Will Lockwood and a 2026 seventh-round pick.

Kravtsov was the ninth-overall pick in the 2018 draft, so he arrives on the Canucks with some pedigree. Whether it's because of lack of opportunity or unhappiness about his situation with the Rangers, success hasn't translated to the NHL level, as he has played only 48 games with the Rangers over two seasons split by a stint in the KHL.

The Rangers are a deep team that didn't seem to have much room for Kravtsov, but it won't be much easier for him in Vancouver. The Canucks are weak defensively, but they are also well-stocked at forward (potential Brock Boeser and Conor Garland trades notwithstanding). Considered a perimeter player, Kravtsov will need to make it work on the top 6 by the end of the season or he could find himself in a similar scenario that he was in with the Rangers. He was reluctant to go to the AHL with the Rangers, so this could quickly go sideways if the Canucks decide it would be better for him to get some reps in the AHL in nearby Abbotsford, even for a short time. If it doesn't work out, Kravtsov's next destination could be the KHL. The potential KHL threat seemed to scare off teams from inquiring about him.

Currently, this amounts to a high-upside player getting a fresh start with a new team. No veteran Canucks forwards jump out as potentially losing value, as Kravtsov appears to be a wild card at this point. In terms of prospects, maybe Nils Hoglander, who is stuck in the AHL and could be there a while longer with Kravtsov getting a look in Vancouver. Even with season-ending injuries to the likes of Tanner Pearson and Ilya Mikheyev, the Canucks have a glut of wingers on their roster. It’s possible that Vasily Podkolzin is returned to the AHL if he continues to struggle at the NHL level (0 PTS in last 8 GP), as could the recently recalled Aatu Raty (0 PTS in 2 GP as a Canuck).

The Canucks may not be done making moves before the deadline, let alone the offseason, as we don't have a clear picture of what they might be up to. As far as the Rangers go, this could be a necessary smaller deal to clear room for one Patrick Kane. Lockwood provides some physicality, but he profiles as a potential bottom-6 forward.

Players this helps, in order:

Kravtsov

Players this hurts, in order:

📢 advertisement:

Hoglander

Podkolzin

Give your take on this trade in this thread on the Forum.

Leave A Comment

UPCOMING GAMES

Mar 16 - 13:03 DET vs VGK
Mar 16 - 15:03 COL vs DAL
Mar 16 - 18:03 STL vs ANA
Mar 16 - 19:03 NYR vs EDM
Mar 16 - 19:03 NYI vs FLA
Mar 16 - 20:03 VAN vs UTA
Mar 16 - 21:03 SEA vs WPG

Starting Goalies

Top Skater Views

  Players Team
MACKIE SAMOSKEVICH FLA
MIKKO RANTANEN DAL
BRANDON CARLO TOR
ARTYOM LEVSHUNOV CHI
PAVEL DOROFEYEV VGK

Top Goalie Profile Views

  Players Team
PYOTR KOCHETKOV CAR
ANTHONY STOLARZ TOR
SAM MONTEMBEAULT MTL
ADIN HILL VGK
FILIP GUSTAVSSON MIN

LINE COMBOS

  Frequency ARI Players
25.8 NICK SCHMALTZ ALEXANDER KERFOOT CLAYTON KELLER
17.5 DYLAN GUENTHER LAWSON CROUSE LOGAN COOLEY
17.2 AKU RATY JACK MCBAIN MATIAS MACCELLI

DobberHockey Podcasts

Keeping Karlsson Short Shift – Potential Playoff Gems

Jeremy and Shams are here to keep you updated with the recent injury news, including a couple of players who may be out for the remainder of the fantasy season. For the remainder of the show, they cover a group of lesser known players that can help you out in your first week of the fantasy playoffs and possibly more.

Fantasy Hockey Life: X Gamers

In the newest X gamer episode, Victor and Jesse talk about some minor leaguers of interest. Discussed are Kevin He, Luca Cagnoni, Nikita Artamonov, Andrew Cristall, Gabe Perrault, and Kasper Halttunen. Jesse takes a rare stand on a name’s pronunciation. Have a listen! Our show is part of the Dobber Podcast Network and sponsored by […]

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

📢 advertisement: