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

[CanaFan]

I'm not sure I see a Landeskog comparable. Landy is very smart in the OZone. He has to be, otherwise his skating would marginalize him overall. This intelligence includes offensive positioning, but also creativity with the puck. Quick hands and deft high danger passing. He plays off of more skilled players well.

In contrast, Podkolzin gets tunnel vision and has an impetuous bend to his play. Sometimes he'll be so focused on gaining the zone that once across the line he has skated himself into a corner. Or, he'll take a shot when he has a streaking option on the far side. Or, he won't drop the puck to the middle of the ice and instead tries to beat his defender wide.

All that said, a 50~ point player would be good. Not great, but good.

As in all things, it’s the frequency of the good/bad plays that will matter most. Going just from Feebsters video compilation, there were certainly plays where he demonstrated pretty good vision/awareness, finding trailers with drop passes, making difficult cross ice passes, etc. I think it’s easy to peg Podkolzin as “always” skating it into corners, taking low % shots instead of passing, etc but I don’t think that’s the case, nor would the myriad of scouts who speak positively of his offensive vision and IQ. I think Podkolzin had a very up and down season and, depending on when you saw the player, you can form some widely diverging opinions on him. For me, I caught his worst form at the U18’s, but by most accounts he was much better at the G-H, Jr A Challenge, and WJC.

He’s a tough one to pin down for me, but I’m at least optimistic there’s a good amount of upside there still, even if his performances were quite uneven.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

All that said, a 50~ point player would be good. Not great, but good.

If he becomes that while maintaining the rest of his mean spirited puck pursuit game I think its a fine pick and we should be happy.

 

[Bleach Clean]

As in all things, it’s the frequency of the good/bad plays that will matter most. Going just from Feebsters video compilation, there were certainly plays where he demonstrated pretty good vision/awareness, finding trailers with drop passes, making difficult cross ice passes, etc. I think it’s easy to peg Podkolzin as “always” skating it into corners, taking low % shots instead of passing, etc but I don’t think that’s the case, nor would the myriad of scouts who speak positively of his offensive vision and IQ. I think Podkolzin had a very up and down season and, depending on when you saw the player, you can form some widely diverging opinions on him. For me, I caught his worst form at the U18’s, but by most accounts he was much better at the G-H, Jr A Challenge, and WJC.

He’s a tough one to pin down for me, but I’m at least optimistic there’s a good amount of upside there still, even if his performances were quite uneven.

I don't think he always presents low IQ on offense. I think it's enough though that I would not project him as a top point-getter in the NHL. There are definite limitations that will hold him back.

Podkolzin's offensive inconsistency shows through because of his IQ. Ultimately, that might mean he's a top6 player instead of a 1st liner. That's still a good return at 10, but it likely isn't the best of the remaining lot.

Disclaimer: I'm critical of the key skills they chose to target this time around, but I'm not critical of the pick overall. There is justification that this pick was the right one to make given the drop off in talent and Pod's rare combination of skills. There's a valid argument there.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

I don't think he always presents low IQ on offense. I think it's enough though that I would not project him as a top point-getter in the NHL. There are definite limitations that will hold him back.

Podkolzin's offensive inconsistency shows through because of his IQ. Ultimately, that might mean he's a top6 player instead of a 1st liner. That's still a good return at 10, but it likely isn't the best of the remaining lot.

Disclaimer: I'm critical of the key skills they chose to target this time around, but I'm not critical of the pick overall. There is justification that this pick was the right one to make given the drop off in talent and Pod's rare combination of skills. There's a valid argument there.

To me it's a safe-ish pick, in the sense that it's hard to see his motor and tenacity and not see at least a bottom-six energy player with net-driving ability.

To me Pod doesn't necessarily scream top-six producer, and I think that's ultimately the trade-off here. That said, I think you can't deny he has high-end potential -- the question is what likelihood he has of reaching his potential.

We'll know a lot more after his D+1 (can his skating smoothen out? Will his production increase in a more stable playing environment?), which will be one of the most important/intriguing seasons in recent Canucks prospect history.

 

[DFAC]

I actually like the Timo Meier comparisons a lot... would be ecstatic if Podz turned out like him

 

[DFAC]

Its really well noted in that video, and I noticed this every time I've seen him play, but the way that he shifts around the ice displays great IQ to me. He is constantly reading the play and adjusting how to position himself, both offensively and defensively, to best attack the puck carrier or break up plays. Its the sort of thing that Virtanen is beyond hopeless at and a huge reason why Jake is low IQ and will never be an impact player (though Jake's rush play is useful).

He's a smart player and does the things away from the puck that you want to see in a young high octane winger. You also notice a few high risk passes getting picked off, and I feel like its difficult to get the chemistry and understanding of systems to make those plays consistently done in tournaments. I like that he's trying some out of the box stuff but hopefully he makes it work better on the team he has more experience with

What stood out to me the most is his tenacity, he is an absolute hound on the puck and almost always comes out of corners with the puck. You can see his competitiveness and willingness to go to the dirty areas. When was the last time we had a player like that... Hansen?

 

[PuckMunchkin]

I actually like the Timo Meier comparisons a lot... would be ecstatic if Podz turned out like him

Does Meier have the same snark to his play?

 

[Melvin]

What stood out to me the most is his tenacity, he is an absolute hound on the puck and almost always comes out of corners with the puck. You can see his competitiveness and willingness to go to the dirty areas. When was the last time we had a player like that... Hansen?

Pettersson

 

[Diversification]

Does Meier have the same snark to his play?

I still maintain, I see a lot of Dustin Brown's game in him. If he turns out with a similar career, that's great value at 10 OA

 

[Love]

I still maintain, I see a lot of Dustin Brown's game in him. If he turns out with a similar career, that's great value at 10 OA

Dustin Brown is probably the best comparable I’ve heard so far.

 

[beachcomber]

The floor hockey crowd here will eventually love this kid, skilled, hard nosed with a great motor which the Nucks desperately need.

 

[alternate]

Losing that 1st would be steep though...means we'd have no 1st round pick in the NHL Draft till 2022.

We would have a shot at making the playoffs w/ Barrie in 2020 (meaning COL wouldn't get a potentially high pick) but if he left via FA/couldn't afford to resign him, we'd pretty much be handing Tampa a top-3 pick w/ the 2021 1st we gave up for J.T. Miller.

Oof' Benning. C'mon.

I don't think moving both #1s was ever a thing. My read of the timeline is Barrie trade was on the table that included #10, but was contingent on who was available. When Pod was still on the board, the Barrie trade was off, and Benning moved on to Miller. Don't think we need to start a narrative about Benning trading all the picks.

 

[VintageBure]

I do see some red flags, I understand the Virtanen comparisons (especially with poor shot selection and playmaking) but from the highlights I've seen he's a better puckhandler and will actually go to those dirty areas. Virtanen despite his size and speed seems to play on the perimeter too often. One poster here showed all of Virtanen's goals this year and basically none of them were from going hard to the net.

There are certainly issues with his hockey IQ (barring the comparisons) but I believe he can overcome some of these deficiencies.

I'm not sure if anyone here has heard of the Scouching report but I'll post the link here. He overviews podkolzin's overall play, and mentions how if his skating and agility improve his motor could become that much more effective.

 

[CanaFan]

Was pursuing Corey Pronman’s deep-dive report on Podz for the Athletic. Here’s a few of the more interesting and/or relevant bits:

I’ve seen Vasili Podkolzin play live about 15 times in the past two years, plus many more times on video, and yet going into this draft season, he’s a player I had to think about a lot.
Ultimately, I see a very talented player who could be a top-line power forward and a fan favorite, if he comes to the NHL.

Despite the fact Podkolzin only had seven assists all season, I was very impressed by his vision all season and occasionally debated grading him as one of the very best passers in the draft.

Podkolzin is very talented as a handler, playmaker and finisher, but it’s not off the charts talent. What makes him appealing as a top prospect is his great talent combined with elite on-ice work ethic and physicality.

When Podkolzin played versus his peers, he was a top player. He was one of the best players at the Hlinka Gretzky and World Jr. A Challenge, and was very good for a U18 player at the world juniors, earning top power play duty for the U20 team.

An NHL scout said: “He’s got very good offensive skill and hockey sense. He gets pucks inside very well. He’s got that shot to score from outside. I love the competitiveness. He always elevated when the stakes were high. He’s unpredictable for defenders to check.”

Despite all that, I still see a forward with high-end skill, high-end vision, a high-end shot, an elite compete level and physicality, all despite iffy skating, I think he has the potential to be a top-line power winger in the NHL. If I was a betting man, I also think he will come over at the end of his current contract with SKA.

 

[Draino]

Was pursuing Corey Pronman’s deep-dive report on Podz for the Athletic. Here’s a few of the more interesting and/or relevant bits:

is it just me or does this sound very similar to prospect reports tegarding M. Tkachuk

 

[CanaFan]

is it just me or does this sound very similar to prospect reports tegarding M. Tkachuk

A few similarities but i think they play the game quite differently. Podkolzin, despite his skating inefficiencies, still plays with a lot more speed and directly attacks defenders than Tkachuk does. I do think Podz has a bit of that “heavy skill” that Tkachuk does and can be a beast on the cycle and protecting the puck to extend possession.

Still think an Evander Kane who always plays at 11 is the closest comparable to Podkolzin’s game.

 

[Lindgren]

A few similarities but i think they play the game quite differently. Podkolzin, despite his skating inefficiencies, still plays with a lot more speed and directly attacks defenders than Tkachuk does. I do think Podz has a bit of that “heavy skill” that Tkachuk does and can be a beast on the cycle and protecting the puck to extend possession.

Still think an Evander Kane who always plays at 11 is the closest comparable to Podkolzin’s game.

If that's what he turns out to be, that's a home run.

 

[CanaFan]

If that's what he turns out to be, that's a home run.

For sure, esp for our lowest pick since 2015. Granted he’s not that player yet and there’s a decent chance he doesn’t get there ... but i’m interested to see how he progresses next season. The upcoming WJC will be must viewing between Podz and Hogs.

 

[Lindgren]

For sure, esp for our lowest pick since 2015. Granted he’s not that player yet and there’s a decent chance he doesn’t get there ... but i’m interested to see how he progresses next season. The upcoming WJC will be must viewing between Podz and Hogs.

And a scattering of other picks as well. Must viewing indeed.

 

[Bankerguy]

A few similarities but i think they play the game quite differently. Podkolzin, despite his skating inefficiencies, still plays with a lot more speed and directly attacks defenders than Tkachuk does. I do think Podz has a bit of that “heavy skill” that Tkachuk does and can be a beast on the cycle and protecting the puck to extend possession.

Still think an Evander Kane who always plays at 11 is the closest comparable to Podkolzin’s game.

good one.

From my limited viewings of Podz, he has that fiery intensity that Evander has but he got less straight end speed... and a bit smaller... but Podz is more of a puck retreiver in the corners... he's like a cheetah ready to pounce on defenders deep in the Ozone

 

[VanJack]

A no brainer pick for the Canucks.....probably the third best player in the draft, but fell because he's a winger, from Russia and signed for two years in the KHL. NHL teams drafting in the top-10 put a huge premium on centers and d-men.....causes some of them to 'reach' for players by position.

Podkolzin will make the Canucks as a rookie and will be an impact winger for the Canucks. In fact I can see both Podkolzin and Hoglander eventually be top-six players for VanCity.

 

[CanaFan]

Podkolzin will make the Canucks as a rookie

Bold. Very bold.

 

[Phenomenon13]

This is the type of prospect I want us to draft every time. High potential picks. I really don't like safe picks.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

For sure, esp for our lowest pick since 2015. Granted he’s not that player yet and there’s a decent chance he doesn’t get there ... but i’m interested to see how he progresses next season. The upcoming WJC will be must viewing between Podz and Hogs.

I dont see the same elite power that Kane has. Also I think Podz is already a smarter hockey player than Kane.

 

[TruGr1t]

From what I've seen/read it strikes me that his "hockey IQ" is actually getting underrated in this thread. Prior to a few months ago I didn't even really hear/read that Podkolzin had any questions around his ability to read the game at speed. In fact, he was regularly complimented for his vision, etc. I recall he was also fairly regularly referred to as the third most talented forward in the draft.