Diversification
Registered User
- Jun 21, 2019
- 3,000
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Not much to talk about when it comes to this prospect. Solid prospect with good all around skills, however lacks the shot to produce. Is a pass first winger who understands that his shot needs work and probably why he's based his game around his passing. Unless he's rushing down the wing, Podkolzin is never looking for ways to get the puck in the net and that's due to his lack of shot. Needs to develop it to have any hope of being a top 9 player in the NHL. Sometimes helps when prospects get to the NHL as you have help from some of the best in the world. Everybody can discuss his odds based on point totals but why not speak about the player in detail, as the reason for every player failing or making it are for different reasons, those specific reasons have different odds. A player's shot improving to passable (while over excelling in other areas) is much more likely than somebody who is one dimensional, undersized, plays passively, not driven, etc.
He's still very much a project due to his shot and will be limited to a 3-4th liner unless it improves. Personally would have no problem picking him that high up again, simply based on the upside. Getting players like Tkachuk who have the body and strength, as well as the tools is a special treat.
Honestly I am quite shocked how little his shot is spoken about on boards or by media. Despite it being his glaring flaw. I believe it's because people see him getting off a decent shot now and then, it means he has a good shot but any player can get a good shot off here and there when theyre shooting enough pucks. To have a passable shot, you need to consistently shoot above a certain level
There isn't much discussion about various aspects of his offensive game because we have so little to go by. That said, I don't buy the argument that he's a 3rd/4th line forward because of his lack of shot. I mean, it's possible that's where he ends up, but there are definitely examples of players with less than average shots that are also top 6 forwards - Henrik Sedin for instance.
I think what you're seeing is that Pod appears to lack the ability to beat a goalie cleanly with his shot. No argument there. Doesn't look like he's a guy who can pick corners and has that killer instinct to quickly identify holes and commit to the shot.
But it's far more likely that if he settles into a top 6 role, his goals will be more of the garbage variety - think Dave Andreychuk, or the player I he most reminds me of : Dustin Brown. You don't need a plus shot to play that way, just will and hard work and enough skill to stick as a regular in a top 6 role. That's where I see this player ultimately ending up.