Gerard Gallant gets brutally honest on Vitali Kravtsov

The New York Rangers roll into Toronto tonight for an Original 6 matchup agains the Maple Leafs, and already there's a bit of a lineup controversy according to head coach Gerard Gallant. 

Forward Vitali Kravtsov is going to be a healthy scratch, and Gallant has no problem calling him out for what he feels is a lack of production and effort. 

“He’s been fine,” Gallant said after practice in Tarrytown on Tuesday after the Rangers completed their practice session. “But again, he’s not a fourth-line player. When Cuylle comes up, whether it’s Kravy coming out or [Julien] Gauthier coming out, Kravy did OK, he’s played OK. But he’s not built for a fourth line. He’s built to play in a top-nine position. If we decide that’s something that’s going to shake down tomorrow, then we’ll see. He’s been fine, I wish he’d score more, I wish he’d finish more checks and stuff like that.”

In 27 games played with the Rangers this season, Kravtsov has scored three goals with three assists, certainly not the kind of numbers that Gallant and the rest of the team were envisioning. So he finds himself the odd man out for tonight's game. 

Meanwhile, it will be Toronto native Will Cuylle making his National Hockey League debut tonight, and Gallant couldn't think of a better place for the occasion. 

"Real exciting," Gallant said. "You know, his hometown. First NHL game. It's going to be outstanding for the kid. Hopefully he'll play real well and pop at least one goal. At least' one? Yeah, it'd be nice."

He'll become the 1st Toronto native to make his NHL debut in the city while not playing for the Leafs since Kirk Tomlinson of the former Minnesota North Stars in 1980.