The Vancouver Canucks made a move late in the offseason by signing winger Vitali Kravtsov to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000. This marks Kravtsov’s second stint with the Canucks, having played 16 games with them after being acquired just before the 2022-23 trade deadline.
Originating from Vladivostok, Russia, Kravtsov spent the past two seasons with KHL’s Traktor Chelyabinsk, tallying 34 points (18 goals, 16 assists) in 55 games during the 2023-24 season. He was the first to return to Russia, ranking sixth in regular season scoring with 58 points (27 goals, 31 assists) in 66 games. Over two playoff seasons, Kravtsov accumulated 12 points (9 goals, 3 assists) in 33 games and helped lead Traktor to the Gagarin Cup Finals last season, where they fell to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in five games.
At 25 years old, Kravtsov has primarily developed within the Chelyabinsk system, playing for their junior and minor affiliates Belye Medvedi and Chelmet before solidifying his spot with Traktor Chelyabinsk. In the 2021-22 season, he was loaned to Traktor by the New York Rangers. Kravtsov made KHL history in 2018 by setting a record for the most points by an 18-year-old in the postseason, earning the league’s top rookie award. Over eight KHL seasons, he has recorded 160 points (81 goals, 79 assists) in 288 regular-season games and 40 points (25 goals, 15 assists) in 79 playoff games.
The Canucks reclaimed Kravtsov, announcing his one-year deal. Drafted 9th overall by Vancouver in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, he also won bronze with Russia in the 2019 World Junior Championships held in Vancouver. His initial North American professional experience came with the Rangers’ AHL affiliate, Hartford Wolfpack, where he notched 15 points in 39 games during the 2019-20 season.
Kravtsov debuted in the NHL on April 3, 2021, with the Rangers, scoring his first NHL points and goals shortly thereafter. However, following some tensions with the Rangers’ front office, Kravtsov returned to Russia the following season. He came back to the NHL for the 2022-23 season, earning six points in 28 games with the Rangers before being traded to the Canucks, where he added one goal and one assist. Despite being a restricted free agent, the Canucks extended a qualifying offer but he opted to return to Chelyabinsk.
Now rejoining the Canucks, Kravtsov returns to a team transformed from his previous tenure. He was previously reunited with former Ranger linemate Filip Chytil, with whom he showed strong on-ice chemistry. Last season, Kravtsov mostly played on the fourth line for Vancouver, with short stints on higher lines. His current role is expected to be a middle-six winger, though he may start in Abbotsford or on the bottom-six. He is projected to work alongside Aatu Räty or possibly move up based on injuries or trades. In training camp, he will compete for a roster spot against other skilled wingers, including Nils Höglander and Max Sasin.
Overall, Kravtsov’s return to Vancouver adds valuable depth and professional experience to the team’s winger lineup on a low-risk, one-year league minimum contract.
Fan Take: Vitali Kravtsov’s return to the Canucks is an exciting development for fans eager to see young talent thrive in Vancouver. His blend of international success and NHL experience brings depth and potential that could ignite the Canucks’ offensive lines and impact the team’s competitiveness in the coming season.
