New York Rangers top prospect has had enough and has demanded a traded out of New York

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Matt Garland
February 13, 2023 (12:38)

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The New York Rangers made a significant trade last week to bring in Russian sniper Vladimir Tarasenko to bolster their forward group. With the addition of Tarasenko another Rangers forward has now decided he no longer what to be part of the organization.

Former 9th overall pick, Vitali Kravtsov made his return to the NHL this fall after spending last season in the KHL. Kravtsov was able to remain in the lineup for Tarasenko's first game in a Rangers' sweater but was healthy scratched for his second, against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.

Head coach Gerard Gallant was asked prior to the game why he took Kravtsov out of the lineup? Did he not see enough from the winger or just wanted a different look?

"A little bit of both,» Gallant said, «I wasn't disappointed in him but we wanted a different mix tonight. So it was a combination of both.»

Now it appears Kravtsov has asked the Rangers to be traded. Rumblings around the Rangers is that Kravtsov is now being made available to the league for a trade. This was confirmed by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman during his latest 32 Thoughts segment.

«Kravtsov scratched tonight,» Friedman noted, «I think he's been made available.»

The 23 year old has scored 3 goals and 6 points in 28 games played this season. He hasn't been able to fully earn the trust of coach Gallant, Kravtsov averages 11:25 in ice time.

Things got heated between the organization and player prior to the start of the 2021-22 season. After not making the team out of camp, Kravtsov bolted back home to Russia instead of going to the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL. There was also reports that he was granted permission to speak to other teams in order to facilitate a trade.

Nothing ever came to fruition and the two sides agreed to a one-year extension this summer. Kravtsov even reported to camp in August to begin training but losing all that those development years by playing in the KHL seems to have impacted his ability to stick with the lineup.

A fresh start is probably needed for both parties. Kravtsov will be an RFA with arbitration rights in July. The Rangers are probably looking to move him by the March 3rd Trade Deadline to avoid a messy contract negation as well.