By: Lucky Ngamwajasat
The Rangers continue to add to their deep prospect pool Friday after announcing the signings of Igor Shesterkin and Vitali Kravstov Friday.
Highly touted for years, the 24-year-old Shesterkin dominated the KHL with SKA Saint Petersburg this season. In 28 games, the Blueshirts’ fourth-round pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft posted a 24-3-1 record with a microscopic 1.11 goals against average and a .953 save percentage.
Igor Shesterkin appeared in 28 KHL games with SKA in 2018-19, posting a 24-3-1 record, along with a 1.11 GAA, a .953 SV%, and 10 SO. His 1.11 GAA was the second-best in one season in KHL history, and his .953 SV% was tied for the second-best in one season in KHL history. #NYR
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) May 3, 2019
The KHL paid tribute to the netminder with a good-bye message on its English-language Twitter account.
*can’t believe doing this again*
Good morning to @NYRangers fans.
23-year-old Igor Shestyorkin is heading to the @NHL.
Take a good care of our boy. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/wAG2Wt0SxM— KHL (@khl_eng) May 3, 2019
The Rangers documented the moment Shesterkin inked his contract.
Igor 🖊 with #NYR pic.twitter.com/4ODuu6YCz3
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) May 3, 2019
Blueshirt Banter contributor Alex Nunn pointed out that Shesterkin’s idol is Henrik Lundqvist. The youngster will now enter camp with the Rangers’ franchise goalie.
Reminder that Igor Shestyorkin’s goalie idol is Henrik Lundqvist and he’s actually going to get to work alongside him. Has to be a thrill. https://t.co/M9cu2gTFyv
— Alex Nunn (@aj_ranger) May 3, 2019
Here’s a highlight package featuring some of the best saves from Shesterkin with SKA Saint Petersburg.
The Rangers also signed 2018 first-round pick Vitali Kravstov to an entry-level deal on Friday. The 19-year-old winger was putting up impressive numbers in the KHL with Traktor Chelyabinsk this season.
Vitali Kravtsov led all KHL players younger than 20 years old in goals (eight), assists (13), and points (21) in 2018-19. Kravtsov’s 21 points this past season are tied for the ninth-most by a KHL player younger than 20 years old in league history (tied with Artemi Panarin). #NYR
— NYR Stats & Info (@NYRStatsInfo) May 3, 2019
The KHL also wished good luck to Kravstov, as the youngster begins his journey to the NHL.
Good morning to @NYRangers fans.
19-year-old Vitaly Kravtsov is heading to the @NHL.
Take a good care of our boy. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/qBPGtdI85r— KHL (@khl_eng) May 1, 2019
In a previous Q&A with MSGNetworks.com, prospect analyst Steve Kournianos had this to say about Kravtsov.
“Well, the Rangers clearly did their homework on Kravtsov, who many believed was a Top-10 pick, but may have been scared off by his commitment to Chelyabinsk in the KHL. His outstanding postseason as a teenager in an elite league like the KHL showed that he’s capable of producing quality shifts against older competition. Plus, his dominant performance at last month’s under-20 Four Nations Tournament in Sweden cemented his standing as one of the NHL’s top forward prospects. Kravtsov has the potential to be a game-breaker for many years to come.”
Our Steve Valiquette broke down Kravtsov’s game earlier this season.
European-based Rangers fan @StatBoy_Steven is excited to see the Russian duo put on the red, white and blue Rangers jersey.
It has been fun. Following Igor and Vitali all over Europe. Now my fellow Ranger fans get a chance to see them. Take good care of them and I’ll definitely visit my 2 Russian buddies soon! #NYR @hcSKA @HCTraktor1947 @Kravtsov pic.twitter.com/0etZt2Bklw
— Stat Boy (@StatBoy_Steven) May 3, 2019
The signings capped off a week where the Rangers traded for 2019 Hobey Baker Finalist Adam Fox. The team is also armed with the No. 2 pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
