Vitali Kravtsov Waived by Canucks for Contract Termination, Expected KHL Return

The Vancouver Canucks have placed Vitali Kravtsov on unconditional waivers for contract termination, with the expectation he will become a UFA and return to Russia if he clears Wednesday. According to Rick Dhaliwal, Kravtsov desired to go back home. The 25-year-old right winger, a 2018 ninth overall pick, played 10 AHL games for Abbotsford this season, recording four points (one goal, three assists) and a minus-7 rating, failing to make the Canucks' lineup. His NHL career spans 64 games with six goals and 12 points, including stints with the New York Rangers and Canucks. Kravtsov has consistently performed better in the KHL, with 34 and 58 points in his last two seasons for Chelyabinsk, including a KHL-best plus-31 rating last year. He signed a one-year, two-way deal with Vancouver on August 5th, but his NHL future is now uncertain.