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Canucks: Vitali Kravtsov back in the mix with one-year deal

The big Russian forward signed a one-year, two-way contract with the club on Tuesday after a productive season in the KHL

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The Vancouver Canucks are bringing big forward project Vitali Kravtsov back from Russia.

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The 6-foot-3, 186-pound left-shot winger signed a one-year, two-way contract with the club on Tuesday after a productive season in the KHL.

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“Vitali had a strong season in the KHL and was an impact player for his team,” said general manager Patrik Allvin. “In his two seasons in Russia, he has worked hard on his game, and we look forward to seeing where Vitali is at when he comes to training camp in Penticton.”

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Last season, the Vladivostok product registered 58 points (27G, 31A) in 66 games for Traktor Chelyabinsk. Kravtsov, 25, also went a plus-31.

Kravtsov, a 9th-overall pick by the New York Rangers in 2018, was traded to the Canucks during the 2022-23 season for forward prospect Will Lockwood and a 7th-round draft pick.

He largely struggled to get a footing in Vancouver, scoring once and adding an assist in 16 games.

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After giving Kravtsov opportunities, then-head coach Rick Tocchet became frustrated with the player, ultimately scratching him for five of the final eight games of the 2022-23 season.

“He has just got to understand,” Tocchet said at the time. “He has to show us he wants to play. He’s good kid, but I’m not sure he knows the work level yet.”

Kravtsov then signed a two-year deal with Traktor to reclaim his game in Russia.

Kravtsov, once touted as a top NHL prospect with his combination of size, skill and grit, has 12 points (6G, 6A) in 64 career NHL games, split between New York and Vancouver.

mraptis@postmedia.com

x.com/mike_raptis

With a file from Ben Kuzma

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