NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vitali Kravtsov’s situation remains status quo, though the backstory continues to evolve while the 21-year-old winger sits in a snit at home in Russia, suspended by the Rangers for his failure to report to the AHL Wolf Pack.
Our latest information, provided by an individual with knowledge of the situation, is that Kravtsov’s reason for refusing the assignment had nothing to do with his relationship with Rangers president-general manager Chris Drury. Rather, it was entirely based on his belief he would never get a crack at a permanent spot on the Rangers’ top six because wingers Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko were ahead of him on the depth chart.
We are told both Drury and head coach Gerard Gallant attempted to convince the ninth-overall selection of the 2018 draft to reconsider, but he had made up his mind. Gallant, as reported by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, did reach out to the winger, though it is unclear whether that was before or after Kravtsov took off to Russia.
Regarding last year’s postseason exit meeting, which The Post first described as “contentious,” we have learned the Rangers asked Kravtsov, who recorded two goals and two assists in 20 games after joining the club following his KHL season, to remain in New York for a spell to work through a conditioning program designed by the training staff. The winger declined the invitation.
We are told that a handful of teams have expressed lukewarm interest in acquiring Kravtsov, but there is currently nothing on the table. Given the lack of top-six-type depth in the Rangers’ organization, it is unclear whether they would welcome Kravtsov back if he were to have a change of heart. At this moment, though, he seems dug in.
The Post has also learned the Blackhawks have quite naturally talked to the Rangers about Dylan Strome. Ryan Strome’s younger brother, Dylan has been a scratch for Chicago’s first four games of the season. There has not, however, necessarily been a link to Kravtsov.
Dylan Strome, 24, was selected third-overall by the Coyotes in 2015, and had 57 points in the 2018-19 season, during which he was traded to the Blackhawks, with Brendan Perlini, for Nick Schmaltz. The center posted 38 points in 58 games in 2019-20 and 17 points in 40 games last season. Strome, who will become a restricted free agent after the season, carries a $3 million cap hit.
There is no indication that talks between the Rangers and Blackhawks have progressed to any meaningful degree or that the Blueshirts do in fact have interest in the younger Strome.
Gallant said “it is going to be close,” when asked if Kakko will be available to play on Monday at home against the Flames after coming off injured reserve.
The Finn has been sidelined with an apparent shoulder injury since the first period of Saturday’s match in Montreal. The Blueshirts will have three days off after facing Calgary before meeting the Jackets at the Garden on Oct. 29.
While many coaches have a rule in place that players coming off IR must go through at least one practice before being restored to the lineup, that does not apply to Gallant.
“I don’t,” the coach said following Wednesday’s practice in Nashville, in preparation for Thursday’s match against the Predators. “The trainers might yell at me for that, but, no, when he’s ready to go, he’s ready to go.
“I think it’s real close, so we’ll see where it goes. That’s what we’re sort of looking at, hopefully early next week.”
Kakko, who is on the trip, has not skated since sustaining the injury.
Ryan Strome, meanwhile, remains at home in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol.
There is no current plan to get defenseman Libor Hajek, a healthy scratch for the first four games, into the lineup.
“We just go day-to-day and right now we’re happy with the six guys who are going and playing well,” Gallant said. “We’ll see where it goes.”