New York Rangers prospect Vitali Kravtsov can still opt for the European Clause

New York Rangers’ first-round draft pick Vitali Kravtsov’s performance in the AHL has caused speculation that he could opt for the European Assignment Clause.

Things have not been going well for New York Rangers prospect Vitali Kravtsov.

The forward did not make the squad coming out of training camp and was sent to the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers AHL affiliate. Things from there seemed to go downhill.

He was a healthy scratch for the Wolf Pack’s second game of the season—not the start to his professional career Kravtsov was hoping for.

Rangers head coach David Quinn spoke about the benching briefly and defended the decision stating sometimes sitting a player is the best way to get the message across.

With the early struggles and disappointment Kravtsov is experiencing, the conversation now has turned to his current entry-level contract and the European Assignment Clause that is included.

The clause, which has been reported by CapFriendly gives the player the right to head back to his former team. In this case, it’s Traktor of the KHL, should Kravtsov not want to remain in the AHL. It is his decision to make.

He would be eligible to return to the Rangers if and when the organization decides to call him up.

Kravtsov did record his first point in the NHL on Sunday, but his minutes have been reduced as he copes with the disappointment of not playing in the NHL.

He is still just a kid, but unless he improves his attitude and work habits, it will be hard for the Blueshirts to call him up anytime soon.