Former Vancouver Canucks Forward Officially Finds Next Team After Having NHL Contract Terminated
Photo credit: Bob Frid - Imagn Images.
A former Vancouver Canucks forward has officially found his next team after having his contract terminated by the organization earlier this month in order to pursue opportunity overseas.
After two solid seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League, which included finishing top-ten in goals and points during the 2024-25 campaign, Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin decided to bring back Vitali Kravtsov, signing him to a one-year, two-way contract with no guarantee he would make the team's opening night roster out of training camp.
Kravtsov's return to the Vancouver Canucks organization lasted a little over a month as after ten games with the American Hockey League's Abbotsford Canucks, the 25-year-old winger was placed on unconditional waivers by the club in order to terminate his contract.
"General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that F Vitali Kravtsov has been placed on unconditional waivers for purpose of contract termination." the Canucks said.
Former Vancouver Canucks forward finds next team after having NHL contract terminated
After a report circulated last week from Rick Dhaliwal, who said that that Vitali Kravtsov was heading back to the KHL, his return to Russia was officially confirmed on Monday morning.
In a press release, HC Traktor Chelyabinsk, the team Kravtsov has spent his entire KHL career with, announced that they're bringing the former Vancouver Canucks forward back to the club, signing him to a three-year contract.
Note: the following is translated from Russian
"The agreement with the striker runs until the end of the 2027/2028 season.
Kravtsov started the 2025/2026 season with the Vancouver Canucks, where he played 10 games for Abbotsford in the AHL and scored 4 (1+3) points. Welcome back, Vitaly!" The club said.
"The agreement with the striker runs until the end of the 2027/2028 season.
Kravtsov started the 2025/2026 season with the Vancouver Canucks, where he played 10 games for Abbotsford in the AHL and scored 4 (1+3) points. Welcome back, Vitaly!" The club said.
Kravtsov, a native of Vladivostok, Russia, has appeared in 288 games for HC Traktor Chelyabinsk in time in the KHL, tallying 160 points (81 goals, 79 assists), 45 penalty minutes and is a plus-13.
The move back to Russia likely signals the last we've seen of Vitali Kravtsov in North America, but, you can never say never and if he's able to have three seasons with the production he had last year, perhaps an NHL club could show interest when he becomes a free agent in the summer of 2028.
Source: HC Traktor Chelyabinsk.
Vitaly Kravtsov is in Traktor!
Vitaly Kravtsov is in Traktor!
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