The New York Rangers have loaned forward Vitali Kravtsov to the KHL's Traktor Chelyabinsk.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports that Kravtsov can be recalled by the Rangers when the KHL season is done and that he is open to a return.
The 21-year-old refused an assignment to the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack and has remained overseas. Kravtsov has indicated that he wants a fresh start and the Rangers have a high asking price of at least a top prospect in return for the former first rounder.
"He's in Russia right now, awaiting a trade, refusing assignment to AHL Hartford, so I called around to find out what general manager Chris Drury could be looking for in a trade for this player, and what I got back was a top prospect," Sportsnet's Jeff Marek said during the 32 Thoughts segment on Hockey Night in Canada.
"And he is not budging from that right now."
Sources told Friedman last month that Rangers coach Gerard Gallant called Kravtsov to ask the forward to consider returning.
On Oct. 12, when he failed to make the opening-night roster, Kravtsov received permission from New York to contact other clubs in hopes of a trade. Kravtsov had two goals and two assists in 20 games with the Rangers in 2020-21, his first NHL season.
The Russian was picked ninth overall by the Rangers in the 2018 NHL Draft.
