New York Rangers head coach makes puzzling statement about forward

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Sam Hutch
February 16, 2023 (7:13 PM)

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The New York Rangers look to be poised for another run this spring, and with the National Hockey League's trade deadline around the corner, forward Vitali Kravtsov requested a trade.

Now, it appears that Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant had this to say regarding the trade request according to beat reporter Mollie Walker, take a look:

It's not easy. He's a top 9 player, and right now, he's not in our top 9. He's not going to be a fourth-line player. He doesn't play in that role for our team. We like him, I like him. He's a good kid. He's got to continue to work hard when the chance is available. Take advantage of it. You don't give anything to anybody. You got to make them earn it.

To me, Gallant saying this is kind of odd and contradictory. He starts by saying he likes Kravtsov, says he's a top 9 player and then shifts to he hasn't taken advantage of the opportunity he's been presented. Which is it? Is he a top 9 player or does he have work to do?

Kravtsov, 23, has had very limited playing time due to injuries and being unable to find a steady role in the lineup scoring just 3 goals and adding 3 assists for a total of 6 points in 28 games played with the Rangers this season, but if you're the coach admitting he's not a 4th line player and that's where your plugging him into the lineup, you can't really complain about lack of production.

The trade request was justified and historically, the Rangers have been terrible at developing first round picks, specifically in the top 10 of the draft. A change of scenery not only help Kravtsov In the short term, but kickstart his actual development.

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