Kakko said it made him think about living in New York next season.
Kravtsov is thinking the same thing, preparing for the chance to prove himself in training camp, including learning English enough to use it in interviews. He answered questions in English from a dozen reporters and in front of cameras from the Rangers' website and MSG Network on Monday.
Kravtsov did not speak English in front of the media at the draft last year. He said he learned from talking with the four North American players on his Kontinental Hockey League team, Traktor Chelyabinsk, as well as with billets and his sister, who attends the University of Toronto.
"An impressive young man on and off the ice," Gorton said. "Today you could see that. He came here to show you guys he can speak English and he wanted to speak to you all in English. I think that says a lot about who he is and where he's going. He's come over early, been working out with our group and I think his eyes are on the right thing."
Kravtsov arrived in New York two months ago.
"I'm so excited," he said. "It's a big step in my career."
Kravtsov, 19, led all KHL players younger than 20 years old in goals (eight), assists (13) and points (21) in 50 games. Columbus Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin, a pending unrestricted free agent, also had 21 points as a 19-year-old in the KHL in 2010-11.
