Reports Indicate Vitali Kravtsov Will Be Leaving the Vancouver Canucks After Being Cut From Team

In what was likely the surprise of the summer for Vancouver Canucks fans, forward Vitali Kravtsov decided to make his way back to North America, signing a one-year deal with the club after two impressive seasons in the KHL, finishing top-ten in points during the 2024-25 campaign.

After a subpar training camp and preseason, the Vancouver Canucks placed Vitali Kravtsov on waivers, subsequently assigning him to the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks the following day and it appears that he might be thinking about returning home.

In a social media post on Friday, Hockey News Hub shared that there are rumors swirling in Russia that suggest Vitali Kravtsov may be thinking about a return to the KHL with Traktor Chelyabinsk, the club he spent not only the last two with, but his entire career in Russia, from youth teams all the way up to the professional ranks.

In 288 games with Traktor Chelyabinsk, Kravtsov has 160 points (81 goals, 79 assists), 46 penalty minutes and is a plus-35, adding 40 points in 79 games during the Gagarin Cup Playoffs.

It was certainly a low-risk move in signing the Vladivostok, Russia native this summer as he could eventually be a factor later on in the season with the big club, if he's able to produce down in Abbotsford and Vancouver is dealing with injury issues.

However on the flipside, if this season doesn't go well for Kravtsov, perhaps it could be his last chance, not only with the Vancouver Canucks - who probably wouldn't issue him a qualifying offer if it happens to be a poor year - but also here in North America.