Canucks Place Vitali Kravtsov On Unconditional Waivers
If he clears, he’ll become an unrestricted free agent and the two sides will part ways.
How it got here
Kravtsov, 25, rejoined Vancouver in August on a one-year, two-way deal after two strong seasons back home with KHL club Traktor Chelyabinsk (27 goals, 58 points in 66 games last year).
They hoped he could parlay that surge into a top-nine role. In reality, he had a quiet camp, a waiver pass-through to Abbotsford, and no NHL call-up despite a rash of forward injuries.
Vitali Kravtsov has been placed on unconditional waivers for contract termination pic.twitter.com/IWcvMJ71aa
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) November 4, 2025
Assigned to the AHL, Kravtsov posted 1 goal and 3 assists in 10 games for Abbotsford and was held off the scoresheet in his final two.
While Vancouver cycled recalls like Max Sasson, MacKenzie MacEachern, Nils Åman and Joseph LaBate, Kravtsov remained in the minors.
What termination means
Unconditional waivers for termination require mutual agreement. Kravtsov will forfeit the remaining NHL/AHL salary on his two-way deal, while the Canucks open a contract slot and cap flexibility. Multiple reports indicate he plans to return to Traktor on a multi-year deal, a move that would easily out-earn his remaining AHL pay and offer a clear top-six role.
A 2018 ninth-overall pick of the Rangers, Kravtsov’s North American flashes never stuck. He totaled 12 points (6G, 6A) in 64 NHL games with New York and Vancouver, plus 19 points in 49 AHL games. For the Canucks he logged 2 points in 16 NHL games back in 2022-23 after his midseason acquisition.
General Manager Patrik Allvin announced today that F Vitali Kravtsov has been placed on unconditional waivers for purpose of contract termination.
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 4, 2025
The Canucks recoup a contract slot, clarity for call-up pecking order, and eliminate any lingering will-they/won’t-they regarding an NHL opportunity that wasn’t materializing.
For Kravtsov, it’s a reset in a league where he recently thrived, likely with significant minutes and runway.
Photo Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
