Vancouver Canucks acquire Vitali Kravstov from New York Rangers in exchange for William Lockwood, draft pick

Drafted by the Rangers 9th overall in the 2018 draft, Kravstov, 23, has struggled to get a foothold in North America. He joined the Rangers’ organization in 2019-20, and has split time between their AHL club, their NHL club, as well as time back in the KHL.

It’s been a rough road, to say the least, and Kravstov reportedly requested a fresh start beyond the Rangers’ organization. Now, he’ll get a look on a Canucks team that has a few Russians of their own in Andrei Kuzmenko and Vasily Podzolzin. Could a change of scenery provide the spark Kravstov needs?

Kravstov was identified by Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis as an under-the-radar addition to watch ahead of this years deadline: 

The Rangers could ultimately use Kravtsov as a piece to make a big splash – Patrick Kane, anyone? – but a change is desperately needed. The 23-year-old has been in the rumor mill for a few years after multiple trade reports have publicly surfaced. His underwhelming play hasn’t helped, with the winger recording just five goals and 10 points in 48 career games. Can he unlock that potential elsewhere? It’s not working in the Big Apple, and keeping him around isn’t going to change that. If this is just a situation of a good player in a system that doesn’t suit him, another team could come out with some excellent value here.

In 48 NHL games, Kravstov has socred five goals and 10 points while in 39 AHL games, he’s scored six goals and 15 points.

Lockwood, meanwhile, was drafted by the Canucks in the third round of the 2016 draft. He’s appeared in 28 NHL games scoring one assist and has scored 25 goals and 54 points in 96 games with the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.