Gurianov and Kravtsov Get Fresh Starts at New Clubs

Tony Ferrari explores the careers and new opportunities for new Vancouver Canucks forward Vitali Kravtsov and Montreal Canadiens acquisition Denis Gurianov.

Sometimes, the fit just isn’t right. Sometimes, the bet on tools isn’t smart. Sometimes, it just takes a second chance for someone to make it in the NHL.

Vitali Kravtsov and Denis Gurianov are former top-12 draft choices who hope their second NHL home is where things take a turn for the better. Kravtsov heads to Vancouver in a deal where the Rangers seemingly wanted to open cap space and a roster spot. Gurianov heads to Montreal as Dallas looked to add some secondary scoring by acquiring Evgeni Dadonov.

The Canucks hope that surrounding Kravtsov with some fellow Russian players and putting him in a position to succeed and possibly play meaningful minutes in a meaningless season will give him reason to remain in North America. As an RFA at the end of the season, Kravtsov could opt to return to Russia as he has in the past.

Vancouver has had some recent success with Russian players. Andrei Kuzmenko has been better than advertised since signing out of the KHL in the summer. Ilya Mikheyev has been one of Vancouver’s most versatile forwards when healthy. Vasiliy Podkolzin is developing into a solid middle-six two-way forward.

Adding Kravtsov to that environment could be ideal. The 2018 ninth overall pick was on one heck of a ride with the Rangers. Instability and unfulfilled promises from the team and the player led to a strained relationship.

Kravtsov joined the Rangers' AHL affiliate in 2019-20 but was unhappy with his assignment, feeling as if his talents deserved to be in the NHL. Loans to the KHL followed a somewhat disappointing AHL stint. He was impressive in his home nation, getting the most points by a junior-aged player in the KHL in 2018-19.

After more back and forth between the NHL and KHL over the next few seasons, Kravtsov decided to commit to playing in the NHL by signing a one-year deal last June. He finally seemed to stick in North America to start the season, but the optimism was once again short-lived. He was in and out of the lineup, healthy scratched in six straight games in February.

The 6-foot-3 winger has some scoring touch and solid skill with a willingness to use his frame. His biggest issue is his consistency and commitment, but when at his best, Kravtsov uses his size effectively to work the cycle and make plays off the wall. He gets into space and uses his shot effectively.

In Montreal, GM Kent Hughes & Co. hope the raw tools of the 25-year-old Gurianov are enough for a redemption arc as well. 

At 6-foot-3, the former Stars’ 12th overall pick in 2015 is a good skater and can be a decisive puck handler at times. He has flashed moments of excellence with long stretches of mediocrity throughout his Dallas tenure.

Gurianov seemed to be on the precipice of reaching his potential during the 2019-20 season, scoring 20 goals for the first – and only – time in his career. Gurianov was effective in how he used his frame and skill, exploiting defenders with his speed and size. The season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but when play returned in the summer for the infamous ‘bubble playoffs,’ Gurianov helped the Stars reach the Cup final, scoring nine goals and adding eight assists in 27 games.

The breakout seemed inevitable.

Unfortunately, the big Russian winger could never regain the form he had that season. The following two seasons saw him on pace for 17 and 12 goals, respectively, over an 82-game season. This year, the Stars were once again one of the top teams in the NHL’s Western Conference, but Gurianov’s two goals have done little to warrant his lineup spot.

The one-for-one swap of Dadonov and Gurianov gives the Stars and Habs some of their needs. The Stars get that depth scoring, and the Habs get a younger player that they have the chance to redeem.

Whether Kravtsov or Gurianov can straighten their careers out with their new clubs will be up for debate and won’t be settled until one or both prove their worth over the next couple of seasons. 

Both players are big, skilled wingers. Gurianov plays with a bit more speed and two-way ability. Kravtsov displays more raw finishing talent and has a couple of extra years, having just turned 23 in recent months.

Vancouver and Montreal are both betting on the upside and raw talent. Gurianov and Kravtsov were drafted in the top-12 for a reason. Neither is devoid of talent. It’s now up to a fresh set of eyes, a brain trust invested in their NHL futures, and a renewed focus from both wingers.

Only time will tell whether either can find consistent NHL playing time and regain any semblance of the promise they once had.