Prospect Info: Vasili Podkolzin, Pt. II

[Bleach Clean]

He's not a pretty skater but he's strong and generates a ton of power in his stride. Gets around the ice, gets on guys on the forecheck, carries the puck with speed and authority. I just don't see it as an issue at all, and I'm a bit baffled that it keeps getting brought up as this 'major weakness'.

Conversely, I have concerns about his hockey sense and positioning/IQ in the offensive zone and resulting lack of production.

When he carries the puck, he tries to create space through power in his stride. This is different from creating space upon acceleration or through guile. Thus, he's often found trying to gain an extra step via willpower alone. Head down, tunneled vision, trying to power past defenders.

If his first few steps were improved, or his stride made less choppy, he could gain that step. If he learned to be deceptive, in an east-west sense, then that opens things up more.

I definitely see skating as an issue tied to these modes.

 

[iFan]

We are strongest at RW

Boeser, Toffoli, Virtanen, Podkolzin, McEwen, Lind

Trade away Boeser and you still have a decent RW group

Trade him for young prospects and picks and our cap problem goes away

and IMO, we are able to fill another hole somewhere else aka RHD or LW

or both

What!?! There’s a big difference between Boeser and Virtanen, Podkolzin, McEwen and Lind!! That would open up a big hole, especially since Virtanen is the only top 9 player on your list. We finally have a top 6, we should be trying to keep it together by dumping dead weight.

 

[biturbo19]

When he carries the puck, he tries to create space through power in his stride. This is different from creating space upon acceleration or through guile. Thus, he's often found trying to gain an extra step via willpower alone. Head down, tunneled vision, trying to power past defenders.

If his first few steps were improved, or his stride made less choppy, he could gain that step. If he learned to be deceptive, in an east-west sense, then that opens things up more.

I definitely see skating as an issue tied to these modes.

Yeah. I think that's a fair way of looking at it. The skating isn't so much a particularly glaring weakness in a vacuum...but given the way he plays, and the way he tends to apply his skating, it is a bit lacking. To me, it doesn't appear quite good enough, or dynamic enough to reliably allow him to play "that game" vs NHL caliber players. Some players operate with the cleverness, savvy and vision that they can be effective, while being practically a slug on the ice. Podkolzin however, doesn't play the sort game that generally sees a lot of success, unless it's paired with a very high level of dynamic/explosive skating ability. So the threshold standard for his skating ratchets up.

 

[Fatass]

Podkolzin will be a star with us. He will be a Calder nominee. Very similar game to Matt Tkatchuk (minus the silly stuff).
He’s a 60 point rookie, who helps the team win.

 

[VanJack]

If the KHL season starts on time in September, my understanding is that Podkolzin would be a free agent and officially able to sign with the Canucks on April 30th, 2021.

And interestingly enough, if the 2021 NHL season doesn't get underway until January 1st, and Bettman and the owners are determined to have an 82--game schedule, then the league will basically be in the middle of its season.

Makes you wonder whether the Canucks signing Podkolzin on April 30th, might make him eligible for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs? Same issue with Tryamkin, I guess who'd also be a UFA on April 30th.

Would be a real bonus if the Canucks could add those two players for the regular season stretch drive and their playoff rounds in 2021.

 

[strattonius]

Podkolzin will be a star with us. He will be a Calder nominee. Very similar game to Matt Tkatchuk (minus the silly stuff).
He’s a 60 point rookie, who helps the team win.

I'm not buying that. And that's no disrespect to Podkolzin - I just see him as more of a 50 pt 2 way beast. Maybe like a more skilled version of Antoine Vermette.

I admire your optimism and hope you're right though!

 

[ziploc]

I'm not buying that. And that's no disrespect to Podkolzin - I just see him as more of a 50 pt 2 way beast. Maybe like a more skilled version of Antoine Vermette.

I admire your optimism and hope you're right though!

That would be a good result really.

 

[sting101]

Larionov thinks he's Messier and now were hoping he's Vermette?

He actually reminds me of Miller. a little less skilled but a better defensive game.

kids a friggen stud at 10 is all i can say. He will fit incredibly well in our top6 as we need his skill set.

 

[strattonius]

Larionov thinks he's Messier and now were hoping he's Vermette?

He actually reminds me of Miller. a little less skilled but a better defensive game.

kids a friggen stud at 10 is all i can say. He will fit incredibly well in our top6 as we need his skill set.

No one said they were 'hoping' for Vermette - I said I see him as a 50 pt 2 way forward, like a more skilled version of Vermette. You know it's okay to make comparisons to players that aren't in the Hall of Fame.

And so I understand you correctly - are you actually suggesting a 50 pt 2 way forward is a bad outcome for Pod?

 

[VanJack]

I know a lot of posters like myself tend to get hung up on scoring stats, hockey sense, play-making ability, skating prowess, etc.

But what you also have to love about Podkolzin, is that he can be a mean SOB out there at times. He hits a ton along the wall, and really gets under the skin of his opponents. So I can understand Larionov comparing him to a young Mark Messier.

And I suspect moving forward, that's the part of his game which will endear him to Canuck fans.

And when you watch Juolevi from all reports struggle through another training camp, you can't help but feel a pang of regret. Imagine if the Canucks had Podkolzin and Matthew Tkachuk on the same 'wrecking ball' line?

Opposing d-men and goalies would have to keep their heads on a swivel.

 

[604]

Boeser
Poldi
Virtanen
McEwen

Should be set at RW for the foreseeable future.

No problem keeping Tiffoli but he'd likely just be keeping the spot warm.

 

[sting101]

No one said they were 'hoping' for Vermette - I said I see him as a 50 pt 2 way forward, like a more skilled version of Vermette. You know it's okay to make comparisons to players that aren't in the Hall of Fame.

And so I understand you correctly - are you actually suggesting a 50 pt 2 way forward is a bad outcome for Pod?

The guy after you said Vermette would be a good result?

I don't think he plays that much like Vermette but i do see the statistical comp and being a really good 2 way guy which Vermette became. I am hoping for more of a 50pt floor and closer to a 60/65pt guy but we'll see

It's not a bad comp i was more making fun of the variable and the Messier comment than anything. I really do believe Pod has more upside due to how strong and solid he is at 18/19. He's 190 now and could easily play at 210-220 once fully developed. i think he will play a more robust game and be around the net a lot

 

[ziploc]

The guy after you said Vermette would be a good result?

I don't think he plays that much like Vermette but i do see the statistical comp and being a really good 2 way guy which Vermette became. I am hoping for more of a 50pt floor and closer to a 60/65pt guy but we'll see

It's not a bad comp i was more making fun of the variable and the Messier comment than anything. I really do believe Pod has more upside due to how strong and solid he is at 18/19. He's 190 now and could easily play at 210-220 once fully developed. i think he will play a more robust game and be around the net a lot

I said that a 50 point solid 2 way player would be a good result. Because it would. Not that I am hoping for that to be his ceiling, but that if Podz turns into that it means an extremely useful player. Guy could still bust, which would be a bad result. Any similarities to Messier (character aside) would be an amazing result.

 

[sting101]

I said that a 50 point solid 2 way player would be a good result. Because it would. Not that I am hoping for that to be his ceiling, but that if Podz turns into that it means an extremely useful player. Guy could still bust, which would be a bad result. Any similarities to Messier (character aside) would be an amazing result.

It's all good i agree. Was just poking some fun at the situation

 

[lawrence]

I said that a 50 point solid 2 way player would be a good result. Because it would. Not that I am hoping for that to be his ceiling, but that if Podz turns into that it means an extremely useful player. Guy could still bust, which would be a bad result. Any similarities to Messier (character aside) would be an amazing result.

no way. Trust in Judd Bracket. That was his pick man. no way it fails

 

[biturbo19]

No one said they were 'hoping' for Vermette - I said I see him as a 50 pt 2 way forward, like a more skilled version of Vermette. You know it's okay to make comparisons to players that aren't in the Hall of Fame.

And so I understand you correctly - are you actually suggesting a 50 pt 2 way forward is a bad outcome for Pod?

A reliable long-term 40-50pt 2-way forward like Vermette was, would indeed be a decent outcome for Podkolzin. That's a useful player, though you always kinda hope for more with a Top-10 pick. The reality is, that's what plenty of those picks turn out to be...or worse.

I don't really see the actual comparison to Vermette beyond that though. The play style doesn't really seem comparable, and frankly...i'd say Vermette actually had a fair bit more raw skill. I don't see Podkolzin developing with that versatility of a C/W, and a bit of a faceoff specialist either. So that hurts the "value" as well. But i do see Podkolzin having a more consistent physical and "power" element to his game, which can be a plus.


I think it's more fair to be "realistically hoping" for a different sort of 40-50pt forward from that Sens era. If Pod can clean up some of his skating, maybe like a Nick Foligno type, which would be solid, but a very different player than Vermette. Or something more like a Nino Niederreiter type 40-50pt player. Something more in that mold. Just really hoping to get a solid 2-way complementary player who forechecks well, gets to the dirty areas, does the spadework, chips in at a reasonable rate, does some of the less desirable Special Teams work. Those guys are really valuable, so long as you can keep them on reasonable contracts. Can really help make a line with more creative and skilled guys "click".

 

[Raistlin]

A reliable long-term 40-50pt 2-way forward like Vermette was, would indeed be a decent outcome for Podkolzin. That's a useful player, though you always kinda hope for more with a Top-10 pick. The reality is, that's what plenty of those picks turn out to be...or worse.

I don't really see the actual comparison to Vermette beyond that though. The play style doesn't really seem comparable, and frankly...i'd say Vermette actually had a fair bit more raw skill. I don't see Podkolzin developing with that versatility of a C/W, and a bit of a faceoff specialist either. So that hurts the "value" as well. But i do see Podkolzin having a more consistent physical and "power" element to his game, which can be a plus.


I think it's more fair to be "realistically hoping" for a different sort of 40-50pt forward from that Sens era. If Pod can clean up some of his skating, maybe like a Nick Foligno type, which would be solid, but a very different player than Vermette. Or something more like a Nino Niederreiter type 40-50pt player. Something more in that mold. Just really hoping to get a solid 2-way complementary player who forechecks well, gets to the dirty areas, does the spadework, chips in at a reasonable rate, does some of the less desirable Special Teams work. Those guys are really valuable, so long as you can keep them on reasonable contracts. Can really help make a line with more creative and skilled guys "click".

having a Landeskog-lite, Deadmarsh, Foligno type (floor) production is sort of exceeding expectations if you look at history at 10, not too many Rantanen type picks out there.

 

[GetFocht]

He will play LW when he comes to the NHL, and will effectively replace Pearson as his contract will be up and Podkolzin will slide right in.

Miller-Pettersson-Toffoli
Podkolzin-Horvat-Boeser

One hell of a top 6.

 

[Bleach Clean]

I'm wondering if Zegras had fallen, would they have gone with him?

That would have been such a massive addition to VAN's pipeline.

 

[nowhereman]

I'm wondering if Zegras had fallen, would they have gone with him?

That would have been such a massive addition to VAN's pipeline.

Over Podkolzin? Zegras hasn't proven all that much that he deserves to be considered a clearly superior talent to Podkolzin. His NCAA numbers are nothing earth-shattering.

 

[BB06]

Podkolzin will be the best Russian winger since Ovie. Bookmark this post and frame it on a wall.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Podkolzin will be the best Russian winger since Ovie. Bookmark this post and frame it on a wall.

I’m book marking it and putting it beside all of the Shirokov posts I bookmarked.
Seriously though I’m excited to see him in another year.

 

[Fatass]

I'm wondering if Zegras had fallen, would they have gone with him?

That would have been such a massive addition to VAN's pipeline.

I think Bracket would have recommended that Benning accepted one of the trade down proposals they were rumoured to have in place. Wasn’t it Bracket who insisted the scouts wanted Pods?

 

[m9]

I don't think he has natural hands or finish, you can just tell watching him with the puck in the offensive zone. Obviously he can still be a very effective player, just not sure what offensive upside is there.

 

[F A N]

Larionov thinks he's Messier and now were hoping he's Vermette?

He actually reminds me of Miller. a little less skilled but a better defensive game.

kids a friggen stud at 10 is all i can say. He will fit incredibly well in our top6 as we need his skill set.

I actually think Vermette at his best was a very effective player. He also happened to be a C who was one of the better Cs at faceoffs. IRRC he kind of got stuck playing in the bottom 6 and he lacked consistency offensively. I don't like Messier but Messier is a generational type who could play in any era.