Prospect Report: 12.03.18

Three Stars of the Week

Vitali Kravtsov registered two points (one goal, one assist), including the game-winning goal, on Nov. 29 against Admiral. The Rangers' first round pick (ninth overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has recorded 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 31 KHL games this season, and he has tallied a point in six of the last 10 KHL games he has played, recording eight points (two goals, six assists) over the span. Kravtsov is tied for the team lead in assists, ranks third in points and shots on goal (72), and ranks fourth in goals this season. The 18-year-old leads all KHL players younger than 20 years old in goals, assists, and points in 2018-19. Kravtsov has registered more than twice as many points as any other KHL player younger than 20 years old has this season, and he also has more assists (10) than any other KHL player younger than 20 years old has points (six) thus far in 2018-19.

Quick Hits

Morgan Barron registered an assist on the game-winning goal in Cornell's 2-1 win against Harvard on Dec. 1. The Rangers' sixth round pick (174th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft has recorded eight points (five goals, three assists) and 48 shots on goal in 11 games with Cornell this season. Barron ranks third in the NCAA in shots on goal per game in 2018-19 (4.36).
Joey Keane registered two assists, recorded three shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating on Nov. 29 vs. Mississauga. The Rangers' third round pick (88th overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has recorded nine assists/points in the last 13 games, and he has registered 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) and a plus-10 rating in 25 OHL games with Barrie this season. Keane is tied for second on Barrie (and leads team defensemen) in power play assists (eight), ranks fifth on the team in assists, and is tied for fifth on the team in plus/minus rating in 2018-19.
Nico Gross recorded an assist on Nov. 30 at Guelph. The Rangers' fourth round pick (101st overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has tallied a point in nine of the last 17 games (two goals, eight assists over the span), and he has recorded 12 points (three goals, nine assists) and a plus-13 rating in 27 games with Oshawa this season. Gross is tied for the team lead - and leads team defensemen - in plus/minus rating in 2018-19, and he is also tied for 13th among OHL defensemen in plus/minus rating this season.
Dominik Lakatos recorded three assists/points and posted a plus-four rating in three games with HC Zlin during the week. The Rangers' sixth round pick (157th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft has notched four assists/points in six games with Zlin, as well as eight assists/points in 23 games in Czech Extraliga with Liberec and Zlin in 2018-19. Among players younger than 22 years old in Czech Extraliga, Lakatos is tied for third in assists and ranks fifth in points this season.
Tarmo Reunanen notched an assist on Nov. 30 against TPS. The Rangers' fourth round pick (98th overall) in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft has tallied seven points (two goals, five assists) in 25 games with Lukko in Liiga this season. Among defensemen younger than 21 years old in Liiga, Reunanen is tied for third in assists and points in 2018-19.
Simon Kjellberg tallied his first career United States Hockey League (USHL) goal and posted a plus-two rating on Dec. 2 against Muskegon. The Rangers' sixth round pick (163rd overall) in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has registered two points (one goal, one assist) and a plus-two rating in 21 USHL games with the Dubuque Fighting Saints this season.

Emerging From The Pack

Ville Meskanen tallied two points (one goal, one assist) and posted a plus-two rating on Dec. 1 vs. Charlotte. Meskanen, who was signed by the Rangers as a free agent on May 3, 2018, has recorded eight points (four goals, four assists) in the last nine games and has registered 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 23 games with Hartford in his first season in the AHL in 2018-19. Meskanen is tied for fourth on the Wolf Pack in goals and points, is tied for fifth in assists, and is also tied for third in plus/minus rating (plus-three) this season.
Chris Bigras registered two assists and posted a plus-two rating on Dec. 1 vs. Charlotte. He has tallied four assists/points and a plus-five rating over the last five games. Bigras ranks second on the Wolf Pack - and leads team defensemen - in assists (10) and plus/minus rating (plus-seven) this season.

Quotebook

"On a struggling team, filled with injuries and coaching changes, Vitali has been a bright light. His vision, playmaking ability, and dynamic skill and skating style are on display every game." - Rangers Director of European Scouting Nickolai Bobrov on Vitali Kravtsov