When the Rangers formally begin coaching camp subsequent Thursday, one notable participant is anticipated to be lacking and one almost-forgotten participant will return to the scene.
President and normal supervisor Chris Drury remains to be unsure in regards to the state of affairs concerning 22-year-old defenseman Nils Lundkvist, who The Publish’s Larry Brooks reported doesn't intend to return to coaching camp and is hoping to discover a top-four function with one other NHL membership through commerce.
“I don’t actually have any replace on it,” Drury stated Thursday at MSG Coaching Heart in Tarrytown. “Clearly, we expect he’s an actual good participant. We drafted him. We’ve labored with him the final variety of years. … We actually hope he’s right here subsequent week. … I don’t have a definitive reply as to what his plans are proper now.”
Lundkvist’s 25-game cameo with the Rangers final season didn't reside as much as the hype surrounding the 2021 Salming Trophy winner — awarded yearly to the very best Swedish-born defenseman. It was the right-handed defenseman’s first season in North America and the adjustment interval was longer than anticipated. After posting only one aim and three assists, Lundkvist was rapidly leapfrogged by Braden Schneider.
The expectation is that Lundkvist, who the Rangers drafted twenty eighth general in 2018, shall be traded, however Drury wouldn’t verify whether or not he has formally requested out.
However, Vitali Kravtsov seemingly has a clear slate coming into coaching camp after the Russian winger refused an AHL task final season and fled house. What as soon as was considered as an irreparable relationship is now wanting like a mutually helpful state of affairs for either side. The Rangers want Kravtsov, his $875,000 cap hit and offensive upside, whereas Kravtsov must show he's an NHL-caliber winger on a playoff-contending group just like the Rangers.
“I feel he’s on an excellent observe,” Drury stated of Kravtsov, who scored seven targets and dished three assists in 15 playoff video games for the Kontinental Hockey League’s Chelyabinsk Traktor. “He selected voluntarily to return right here very early in the summertime. … In order that was clearly an excellent signal that he selected to try this. Come right here, he’s had an excellent summer time coaching, skating. He appears good. We’re excited to see what he has.“Simply from what we’ve seen thus far, peeking out my window at practices, he appears actually good and we’re excited he’s right here.”
Kravtsov, drafted by the Rangers with the No. 9-overall choose in 2018, will definitely be competing in opposition to fellow kids Alexis Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko for the spots on the wings within the high 9. Contemplating Lafreniere has hung out on the highest unit and Kakko has gotten aware of the fitting wing of the second line, Kravtsov may fall to the third line relying on how camp unfolds.
“No, in no way,” Drury stated when requested if Kravtsov has two strikes in opposition to him. “As soon as we loaned him and acquired him to the KHL final yr, there was by no means any subject. Definitely excited with how he went over there and performed. … We’re proud of the way in which he performed, the way in which he dealt with himself over there.
“He’s executed every thing proper by coming right here early. And I’m excited to see what he has when issues begin.”
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