The Vancouver Canucks are bringing an old friend back to the NHL.
On Tuesday, insider Cam Robinson reported that the Canucks have reached agreement on a one-year contract with Vitali Kravtsov.
Kravtsov, 25, was sixth in Russia’s KHL in scoring last season. He tallied 27 goals as part of 58 points in 66 games with Traktor.
Now, he returns to the NHL.
Kravtsov’s last NHL time came in 2022-23 when he appeared in 16 games with the Canucks, scoring one goal and assisting once.
He also played in 28 games for the New York Rangers that season.
Kravtsov’s NHL debut came two seasons earlier, in 20 games with the Rangers.
All told, he has played 64 NHL games and put up six goals and six assists.
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Kravtsov was originally the No. 9 overall pick in 2018 by the Rangers.
The 6-foot-3 winger is clearly talented but wasn’t able to break through in the NHL on his first try.
Now, after a couple years of maturing back in his native country, Kravtsov will try again.
Vancouver’s contract with the Russian winger is reported to be a two-way deal, so he could spend portions of this season in the AHL.
But the Canucks are surely hoping that the growth shown by Kravtsov in the KHL can translate back to the NHL.
It’s certainly a solid low-risk move. If it doesn’t work, Kravtsov can go back to the KHL, where it’s clear he can thrive, and it wouldn’t be a lot of trouble for Vancouver.
But if he’s improved his game enough, Kravtsov could be a great late-summer signing by the Canucks that helps to push them in a positive direction.
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