A shocking turn of events for Vitali Kravtsov! The Vancouver Canucks have made the unexpected decision to place winger Vitali Kravtsov on unconditional waivers, with the intention of terminating his contract. This move, announced by the team, likely signals a mutual agreement, meaning Kravtsov will become an unrestricted free agent if he clears waivers. But what led to this sudden departure? Let's dive in.
Kravtsov's journey with the Canucks began anew in August when he signed a two-way deal. This marked his second stint with the organization. Drafted as the No. 9 overall pick in 2018, he last played in North America during the 2022-23 season. During that time, he was traded from the Rangers to the Canucks for William Lockwood. Following this, he spent two seasons playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk in his native Russia. The Canucks retained his rights during this period by issuing a qualifying offer when his contract expired, making them his only NHL option this year, unless they traded his signing rights.
And this is the part most people miss... Kravtsov, at 25 years old, was coming off a strong performance in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He played in 66 games for Chelyabinsk last season, scoring 27 goals and providing 31 assists, totaling 58 points with an impressive +31 rating. He was considered one of the most dominant two-way players in the KHL. This performance fueled optimism that he could contribute in Vancouver's top nine. However, he didn't have a strong training camp and only played in one preseason game. He cleared regular waivers in October and started the season assigned to the AHL Abbotsford.
Unfortunately, Kravtsov's impact in the minors has been limited. In 10 games, he recorded only one goal and three assists with a -7 rating. This performance didn't warrant an NHL recall, especially with players like Joseph LaBate and Mackenzie MacEachern getting the nod during Vancouver's recent injuries. With limited opportunities for ice time and his contract slot not yielding much in the minors, the Canucks seem ready to let him pursue a contract elsewhere, likely back in Russia.
Here's where it gets controversial... Kravtsov will forfeit the remainder of his salary, which would have been $450K if he had spent the rest of the season in the minors. However, he is expected to earn more with a new deal in Russia.
What are your thoughts on this move? Do you think the Canucks made the right decision? Share your opinions in the comments below!
