Hartford Wolf Pack

Vincent Z. Mercogliano | NHL writer

CROMWELL, Conn. – Vitali Kravtsov stood near the exit of Champions Skating Center on Wednesday, laughing while saying something in Russian to teammate Igor Shesterkin.

Shesterkin returned from his first NHL stint that morning, providing both hope and a familiar face.

“We didn’t talk a lot (when we were younger), but I can say we’ve been friends since we came here. Now we talk a lot,” Kravtsov said. “I’m glad to have him back. … He’s a good person.”

They’re four years apart — Kravtsov is 20 and Shesterkin is 24 — but similar in many respects.

Both are highly touted prospects from Russia and future building blocks for the New York Rangers. Both signed their entry-level contracts during the offseason and came to the U.S. to begin the next phase of their careers, with neither making the NHL roster out of training camp.

That meant they were heading north to Hartford, home of the Rangers’ AHL affiliate.

And that’s where their paths diverged.

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Shesterkin took the league by storm, earning a selection for the AHL all-star game and an eventual promotion to New York.

Kravtsov played five games before deciding to return to Russia and play in the KHL.

“I think the biggest thing was disappointment, and also probably some voices about where he should be playing and what’s best for him,” Hartford’s first-year coach Kris Knoblauch said.

“I think it's natural,” he added. “You come to camp with high expectations, especially a guy that's drafted ninth overall two years ago. A lot of those players make the NHL — but a lot don't also. I'm sure in his mind, (he thought) that he was going to be on that team. And I've seen it time and time again. Players who come so close to making the National Hockey League and don’t make it and get sent to (minor league) hockey, there's a big letdown. And psychologically, they say they're all in and their work ethic — it’s just not…”

Knoblauch trailed off, but his point was clear.

The sting from not breaking camp with the Rangers lingered and led to Kravtsov’s October exit.

Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News

The 2018 first-round pick toiled in the KHL for less than two months — including a demotion to the VHL, the equivalent of the KHL’s minor league — and eventually rethought his decision.

By mid-December, he was back in Hartford.

“There’s no reason to talk about it now,” Kravtsov said. “I’m here now and I’m trying to do everything they want. I’m trying to work hard and make the team.”

'Everybody has their own life'

It’s understandable that Kravtsov wants to move forward instead of looking back.

That’s a luxury any 20-year-old should be afforded.

The accusatory chatter about him being immature or entitled did not sit well.

“I don’t like when people talk about me,” he admitted. “Everybody has their own life. They don’t need to push on me.”

Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News

In all likelihood, the brief return to Russia was about a talented young player dealing with adversity in a very public way for the first time and longing for the comforts of home.

By all accounts, he’s in a better place today.

The smiles during and after practice painted that picture, as well.

“Now that he's back with us, he’s very happy, confident and is enjoying being at the rink and playing hockey,” Knoblauch said. “Every day he’s coming to the rink, wanting to learn and get better.”

The hope is that it’s been a valuable lesson.

It wouldn’t hurt if it left him determined to disprove the naysayers, but Kravtsov says he’s trying to avoid the outside noise.

“I respect everybody who (says) I’m bad or I’m good,” he said. “I don’t really read too much. I don’t feel I have pressure.”

He's more concerned with his coaches and teammates, who he referred to as “good guys,” who “try to help me be better.”

“I hope they think I’m a good guy, too,” he added.

'This is my dream'

With the drama in the past, the focus has shifted to Kravtsov’s play.

Given the uncertainty with pending free agents Chris Kreider and Jesper Fast, along with the trade request of 2017 first-round pick Lias Andersson, developing Kravtsov into a useful NHL winger is a priority for the Rangers.

Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News

“Making plays, finding his teammates, creating scoring chances — that’s always going to be the strength of his game,” Knoblauch said.

The points have been inconsistent — he has five (four goals and an assist) in 14 games since his return — but Knoblauch noted, “I see a lot of progression and building up traction to his game.”

Knoblauch has pushed him to shoot more, with Kravtsov scoring twice in Hartford’s last three games. But he also wants him to learn when to make the “safe play” instead of forcing dangerous passes.

“Just being able to manage the puck and not always be feeling that he has to make a play,” he said. “That's absolutely his skill — to find teammates, create scoring chances — but you also have to respect the opponent. There are good defensive players on the other side, and sometimes there's not a play to be made.”

When asked how his game is coming along, Kravtsov repeatedly said he needs to prove he can handle his defensive responsibilities.

“If you work hard in the D-zone, you have more moments in the offensive zone,” he said.

Kravtsov’s focus seems to be in the right place, and after a tumultuous period, he’s been settled and stabilized for more than a month.

And while he’s gaining comfort in his surroundings, he’s keeping New York and Madison Square Garden in the back of his mind.

“I’m trying to make the biggest step in my career,” he said. “This is my dream. I want to play in the NHL and I’m trying to do everything for this (to happen).”