Prospect Info: 10th overall: Vancouver selects Vasili Podkolzin (RW, SKA St. Petersburg)

[UK Canuck]

slightly shorter Sean Couturier is what I'm going with

 

[Love]

I have some concerns about him and he wouldn't have been my top choice at 10, but if he hits his potential we have a really nice player. I think he could compliment our forward group particularly well as we don't really have anyone like him. His bulldog, grinder, forechecking, in your face mentality is lacking for us at the moment. Like others have said he's kind of like a bigger Burrows. Reminds me of Radulov a bit too.

 

[Diamonddog01]

Quoting settinguptheplay from the main boards here

KHL - 3 games averaging just over 3 minutes a game.
VHL - 14 regular season games and another 8 in the playoffs. The second leading scorer in the playoffs (on his team) had 5 points in 12 games. The top scorer was way ahead of all the others and was also 25 years old. Pods has 3 in 8. In context he played well.
MHL - 12 games to start the year. Had just turned 17 to start the year. Added 3 points in 3 games in the playoffs. One of two players to be PPG in the playoffs on his team.

A total of 40 games over 3 leagues. 11 of them in the playoffs. It is a bit disingenuous to say he played 37 club games without context. Different leagues, different teammates. The guy barely had time to get comfortable before he was moved up to a higher skill league.

So 40 league games plus a bit under that for international games (where he produced well). The production question is an interesting one, if he stays in one league and on one team next year it will be telling to see a) where he places in terms of points in relation to the highest league scorers and b) how he compares to other Russian prospects before making the jump to the NHL who when excelled in the NHL.

 

[I am toxic]

On that note, Mythbusters tested this out: bulls in a China shop actually does very little if any wrecking.


Not sure why I think this is important but hey there it is.

Sample size!

 

[xtr3m]

I only like this if Goldy and Trammer come back with this kid! Russian invasion I’m down for if the guy we have follow!

No collusion

 

[I am toxic]

No collusion

Since it's already an old boy's club, the Canucks should explore hiring Larianov in some capacity. Not only could he ease the transition of our Russian players, he has a brilliant hockey mind.


I could see him as a GM in 10 years, a Russian StevieY.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

How anyone is drawing Jake Virtanen comparisons from Pod I dont get.

JV had inflated stats from playing against boys doing things that dont translate to the pro's.

Podz was bounced around different teams playing against men and had stats that dont correlate to his skill set at all.

I usually side with stats but the deployment in different teams and russian leagues fluctuating average goals per game gives me enough reason to just give him a pass for now.

 

[CanaFan]

Interesting that Podkolzin is the first Russian we’ve ever drafted in the first round, in the 50th year of the franchise’s existence. Given the legacy of Bure, Mogilny, and Larionov on the team back in the 90’s, I was a bit surprised that it took this long. Was also surprised that the first American we ever drafted in the first was R.J. Umberger (31 years of existence) and the first Fin was Juolevi (46 years)

 

[Uhmkay]

The best comparable I've heard so far is that he's the Russian Horvat. If he turns into another Horvat I will be absolutely blown away that we got him at 10.

This is the type of guy you want on your team for the playoffs. He has no quit in his game and a take no shit attitude. I think his points will come. The kid was 17 and playing in the KHL, granted only 10 minutes. And in most tournaments with kids his own age he played extremely well. Take a look at his game against the USA where he single handedly took apart the US and scored a hat trick. This kid can still play in 3 more World Jrs... he's that young.

Great pick imo

 

[I am toxic]

The best comparable I've heard so far is that he's the Russian Horvat. If he turns into another Horvat I will be absolutely blown away that we got him at 10.

This is the type of guy you want on your team for the playoffs. He has no quit in his game and a take no **** attitude. I think his points will come. The kid was 17 and playing in the KHL, granted only 10 minutes. And in most tournaments with kids his own age he played extremely well. Take a look at his game against the USA where he single handedly took apart the US and scored a hat trick. This kid can still play in 3 more World Jrs... he's that young.

Great pick imo

Especially this.

 

[tiny103]

I like how it seems like he's willing to drive right down the middle. Could draw defenders to him or open up the wide side for horvat to do his thing.

 

[thefeebster]

I sort of feel it's very difficult to find a stylistic comparable because of his compete and just how hard he hits. I don't think I've ever seen Bo make big, sprinting hits like pod. I think Meier maybe works for his skill side, but then you sort of miss these other parts.

 

[The Pucks]

When Zegras went at 9 I was heart broken. When Makar went in front of Pettersson I was heart broken. I hope Vasili pulls an Elias and heals my wounds.

 

[Lindgren]

I'm impressed by his competitiveness.

 

[MS]

Just went back and watched the U18 gold medal game which I still had on PVR to watch Podzolkin more closely.

And yeah, similar take from watching those games the first time. Good size and skating ability that does pop a bit. Tracks the play well defensively and is physical. Puckhandling is strong. Hockey sense looks very meh. Shot release is kind of awkward and off his back foot.

Evander Kane really isn’t a bad comparison. Erik Cole has been retired a few years but was another similar guy.

 

[Hodgy]

I like the Landeskog comparison, although the big question will be whether his skill level can match Landeskog. But they play the game similarly IMO.

 

[Dr Good Vibes]

This is gonna sound odd but Podkolzin actually reminds me of a way more talented Dorsett. He’s like a bat out of hell when he plays and he’s hyper aggressive.

We’re gonna know real quick when he starts playing regular minutes for SKA just how excited we should be about his offensive upside.

 

[Orca Smash]

Podkolzin d+1 season might be more important then any prospect in recent history. Pettersson aside since i remember the heat he was getting with fans for the selection at five and his international performance.

I do see and agree with alot of the comparisons being made (timo mier, kane, horvat, landeskog).

I think the only worry is these picks can go either way depending on the skill level. He will need solid production this season.

 

[Icebreakers]

Drafting big wingers with low IQ seems to be a trap. Nichushkin, Virtanen , puljujarvi lately.. hopefully he starts producing next year.

 

[Bgav]

Still so pumped about this

 

[Dr Good Vibes]

Drafting big wingers with low IQ seems to be a trap. Nichushkin, Virtanen , puljujarvi lately.. hopefully he starts producing next year.

I dunno if his IQ is low. That’s the weird thing about him. Makes smart passes at times and he’s already a fantastic defensive player. Other times he gets tunnel vision and runs into a wall.

I agree with the poster who said D+1 is huge for Pod. We want production.

He’s got lots of great tools. Nice shot, tenacious, relentless, and nice passer. Gonna be all about how he uses them and how he shows next year.

 

[Orca Smash]

Drafting big wingers with low IQ seems to be a trap. Nichushkin, Virtanen , puljujarvi lately.. hopefully he starts producing next year.

The thing with those players is they dont have podkolzin puck hound style or commitment to two way play. Those players tend to float and lack consistency which gives me some hope.

Really this is an interesting pick that can go either way, I usually draft on pure skill. I will admit i was not a big meier fan (I loved rantanen) but meier certainly had an excellent year playing that wrecking ball style with goal scoring.

I get the idea to put him with horvat because they play a similar style, but for podkolzin to reach his offensive potential he needs to be with pettersson.

 

[CanaFan]

Agree with all of these takes above. I am pretty good with the pick, partly because there is definitely a lot to like, but he is a bit tricky to figure out too. He’s a powerful skater and shows good speed, but he’s also got some technical flaws that make you wonder if it will be good enough in the NHL. He can show some really good passes at times, and he can take some terribly useless shots when a pass is the obvious choice. Low IQ? Or just tunnel vision caused by wanting to do too much? Maybe a maturity issue rather than IQ, I don’t know.

A kid like Boldy would have just been a much easier prospect to project and cite his strengths and areas of needed improvement. Podz is just a bit ... confusing.

 

[brokenhole]

Sounds like Burrows that hits harder and head butts instead of pulling hair or bites.

 

[tantalum]

I don’t follow draft eligible players. What worries me is the descriptions I’m hearing. I get concerned every time I hear things like “he may not have the best upside but he’s a sure fire NHLer!”

That’s often the description of a guy who never makes any sort of impact in the NHL.