The Rangers are reportedly seeking “as high a draft pick as possible” in exchange for Vitali Kravtsov. (32 Thoughts)

Kravtsov has reportedly requested a trade if he isn’t part of the team’s plans and the Rangers have also reportedly made him available.

Kevin Weekes, on The NHL Network on Monday, said “I think the biggest challenge is, you don’t want Kravtsov necessarily going back to Russia. The Rangers have drafted him, we know the Rangers are a deep team, a stacked team, especially with the acquisition of Tarasenko. At this point, I think he’s better served going to a team where he’s going to get an opportunity for top-nine minutes. Which is more than likely, not to say that he couldn’t get that with the Rangers, but they are so deep up front.”

He added, “so what does that look like? Does that net…I’m sure Chris Drury wants to get a second-rounder unless he’s going prospect for prospect, but more than likely maybe he’s able to net a third-rounder…..if they can net a second or third-rounder in return, or a prospect from an opposing team, as in a swap, maybe that works out for Chris Drury and for Kravtsov.”

On Twitter, Weekes said “perhaps” the Rangers get a “3rd Round Pick or Prospect” for Kravtsov.

The Rangers traded Lias Andersson, after his third year, for the 60th overall pick in 2020. That pick was used on Will Cuylle.

Adam Rotter: I think the biggest thing with Kravtsov is whether Gerard Gallant trusts him to be someone he can use in the playoffs if needed. Right now Kravtsov is only going to play if it’s in a top-nine role and right now he is 11th, one spot below Barclay Goodrow, on the top-nine forward depth chart. We know that Gallant won’t hesitate to move Goodrow up, but if someone gets hurt and Goodrow moves into the top-nine, Kravtsov won’t go in, Will Cuylle, Ryan Carpenter or Jonny Brodzinski will. But if two players get hurt, will Gallant have the confidence to put Kravtsov into the top-nine?

If the answer is yes then I don’t think the Rangers will move him until the summer. If the answer is no, then Chris Drury will probably move Kravtsov for a pick and use another pick to acquire a veteran rental forward.