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

[lawrence]

yup, short and not very fast is not a good combo for NHL. At least if he's big and not very fast, he has the size to compensate. People need to stop saying he was the biggest steal of the 2nd round. If someone is short and not very fast he better have some incredible offensive skills to make up for that also.

 

[Bougieman]

Podz is definitely an awkward skater. His skatinh problem looks coachable and I think fixing that would already translate in to a tremendous player.

If you look at Höglanders SHL tape, IMHO his lack of speed stands out. He is agile but I doubt that will be enough in the NHL, with his lack of size. Also think that is the 2nd reason he fell, no.1 being the lack of prosuction.

I can't stop immaturely giggling at scouts being really disappointed in his prosuction.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

It might be something Hoglander can get better at simply by gaining strength in his legs. He is quick and agile and has good hockey sense and hands.

Isnt he insanely fit already?

Im hoping there is a skating technique flaw in his skating too that can be fixed to give him a boost there.

I can't stop immaturely giggling at scouts being really disappointed in his prosuction.

f*** you

My thumbs seem to be a mess and my ability to type on my phone is deteriorating fast.

 

[Dr Good Vibes]

I’ve been watching some tape of Podkolzin including recently a highlight package of his play in the four nations tournament. Here’s what I thought.

1) Puck pressure and forecheck

Pod would legit be our best forechecker if he joined the team tmrw. He’s got an uncanny ability for slipping through obstruction and stealing the puck. Pod really, really likes to play third man high in the offensive zone, he’s always shadowing above the puck, and when he pinches, he seems to have a fairly high success rate for stealing pucks.

This is so much his best skill I noticed a move he does in particularly. Pod works his ass off, steals puck from dman, protects puck to outside, spins and passes to a nearby teammate for a onetimer. Sounds a little wild? Well, it is, but he did it like ten times and got a couple assists off of it.

2) passing

Pod is a smart, skilled passer who creates chances out of nothing for his teammates. I can see him being a great fit with Bo or Pete in a few years.

3) Physicality

Pod isn’t afraid of body contact. In fact, I think he actively seeks it out. Pod seems most comfortable when battling and engaging physically, whether he has the puck or not.

4) skating

Pod doesn’t have the best straight ahead speed in the world but it’s not bad. I think it’s actually his acceleration which needs work cause when he gets going he’s hard to stop, but if defenders can catch him when he’s just getting going, he can be isolated.

Pods edge work, however, is exceptional, I love the way he weaves through traffic.

5) shot

I think Pods shot needs work. It’s not especially hard or accurate, and Pod isn’t converting in the majority of his extremely high danger chances. He does show patience at times, while rushing shots at others.

6) finish

I think Pod would benefit from learning to bear down and get that killer finishing instinct. I saw a few times where he focused too much on the net battle and missed prime rebound or deflection opportunities in tight. His board play is amazing, but his net front game could use a small polish.

Overall, I think this is a very exciting prospect. His floor is a high end third liner imo just because of how elite his pressure skills are, but if he advances offensively as well, he’s going to be a very unique and ultra valuable player for us.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Good write up by Steve Kournianos of the Draft Analysis of theU-20 Four Nations tournament. He singles out both Podkolzin and Hoglander in his comments:

“Very entertaining tournament. More physical than an OHL or QMJHL game.

Didn't mention it in the write-up but Penguins prospect Santeri Airola was excellent as well. Seems quiet but explodes up ice and was dangerous every time he had the puck regardless of whether he had open ice.

Podkolzin could have had five or six assists. His playmaking, vision and timing were among the best of any forward in the tournament.

Dorofeyev should have been a first-round pick. Morozov and Hoglander too. Hoglander dominated this tournament last year and was the only Swedish forward worth the price of admission.”

 

[F A N]

Isnt he insanely fit already?

Im hoping there is a skating technique flaw in his skating too that can be fixed to give him a boost there.

He is but Horvat worked with a power skating coach as well. One can learn to generate more power in the first few strides.

 

[F A N]

JD Burke raves about Hoglander's Four Nations tournament performance as well. He did rate Podkolzin and Hoglander highly.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

He is but Horvat worked with a power skating coach as well. One can learn to generate more power in the first few strides.

Oh absolutely. Agreed.

 

[VanJack]

yup, short and not very fast is not a good combo for NHL. At least if he's big and not very fast, he has the size to compensate. People need to stop saying he was the biggest steal of the 2nd round. If someone is short and not very fast he better have some incredible offensive skills to make up for that also.

I think some Canuck fans are still having a hangover from the failed acquisition of Jonathan Dahlen....another guy with lights-out offensive skill down low, particularly on the bigger ice. But apparently couldn't gain any separation in the neutral zone and couldn't win any puck battles in N.A. Hence he was traded, and is now back in Sweden.

I don't really seem the same trajectory for Hoglander. And I'm just not getting the skating concerns. He's hardly a slug out there, and unless my eyes are deceiving me, didn't look any slower than every other kid playing in the U-20 Four Nations Tournament. And as a teenager playing in a full professional league the SHL, he couldn't crack a lineup if he couldn't skate.

But I guess that's what player development is all about. Just have to wait and see.

 

[Johnny Canucker]

I see. I was just curious cause you were ranting about not having a first round pick next season.

“Rant” let’s try to not be so sensitive or it’s gonna be a long season.

 

[F A N]

“Rant” let’s try to not be so sensitive or it’s gonna be a long season.

I agree. Let's not be too sensitive. Ranting from passionate fans should be expected and it's ok.

 

[Jay Cee]

JD Burke sounded like he had a semi talking about Podkolzin. Said he had him 4 or 5 in draft.

 

[VanJack]

JD Burke raves about Hoglander's Four Nations tournament performance as well. He did rate Podkolzin and Hoglander highly.

Listening to the podcast on TSN 1040 with J.D. Burke and hosts, Halford and Brough, the guy he was raving about was Podkolzin.....said he dominated the U-20 Summer Showcase and that he ran out of room in his note-pads with comments and observations about his play. Said he was a legitimate top-four talent in the draft who fell to the Canucks because teams were too hung up on his two-year commitment to KHL. Even predicted that there's a possibility he might eventually be be best player in the entire draft. So high praise indeed. And well worth a roll of the dice at #10 overall.

His comments on Hoglander were more measured. Predicted he'd need at least two more years in the SHL and maybe some time in Utica. But was left scratching his head on how it was possible that Hoglander with all his talent and puck skills, dropped all the way to 40th overall. Had him rated at #19 in the first round.

 

[Johnny Canucker]

I agree. Let's not be too sensitive. Ranting from passionate fans should be expected and it's ok.

I think that you'll be doin' just fine
If you relax a little, I'm glad they inspire you but Why are you so mad? Try to understand, that they do want you as a F A N

 

[F A N]

I think that you'll be doin' just fine
If you relax a little, I'm glad they inspire you but Why are you so mad? Try to understand, that they do want you as a F A N

Huh? What are you talking about. What made you think that I was mad? That's such a weird comment. And who is they? You seem confused like you were about the Miller deal.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

 

[docbenton]

I think some Canuck fans are still having a hangover from the failed acquisition of Jonathan Dahlen....another guy with lights-out offensive skill down low, particularly on the bigger ice. But apparently couldn't gain any separation in the neutral zone and couldn't win any puck battles in N.A. Hence he was traded, and is now back in Sweden.

I don't really seem the same trajectory for Hoglander. And I'm just not getting the skating concerns. He's hardly a slug out there, and unless my eyes are deceiving me, didn't look any slower than every other kid playing in the U-20 Four Nations Tournament. And as a teenager playing in a full professional league the SHL, he couldn't crack a lineup if he couldn't skate.

But I guess that's what player development is all about. Just have to wait and see.

Hoglander definitely looked like the fastest player for Sweden and one of the fastest overall. He got caught at times though because he skated himself into pressure and overall just didn't seem to have the kind of elite hockey sense you want in an offensive forward. That extended to his ability to make plays. Overall too few of his offensive forays led to a real scoring chance. That would be my concern, his skating is very good, and he seemed to be recognized as a top player as he got the puck a lot from his teammates.

Again, all these observations are purely from the recent tournament.

 

[logan5]

Sorry if this has been posted already, but this story has some background on Podkolzin in his early years and some quotes from Podkolzin himself, and his coaches.

Vasily Podkolzin: A Star in the Making

 

[DFAC]

Dunno why but he reminds me a little of David Booth?

 

[DFAC]

Listening to the podcast on TSN 1040 with J.D. Burke and hosts, Halford and Brough, the guy he was raving about was Podkolzin.....said he dominated the U-20 Summer Showcase and that he ran out of room in his note-pads with comments and observations about his play. Said he was a legitimate top-four talent in the draft who fell to the Canucks because teams were too hung up on his two-year commitment to KHL. Even predicted that there's a possibility he might eventually be be best player in the entire draft. So high praise indeed. And well worth a roll of the dice at #10 overall.

His comments on Hoglander were more measured. Predicted he'd need at least two more years in the SHL and maybe some time in Utica. But was left scratching his head on how it was possible that Hoglander with all his talent and puck skills, dropped all the way to 40th overall. Had him rated at #19 in the first round.

Hoglander dropped for the same reason Caulfield did - lack of size.

 

[F A N]

Dunno why but he reminds me a little of David Booth?

They are both are wingers who like to take the puck to the net? Actually Booth did cut to the net like Podkolzin does, but I think Podkolzin has much better puck skills.

 

[ihaveyuidonttouchme]

i think i saw one shift in the first period....for like 10sec
update*
no shift in the second

 

[LickTheEnvelope]

i think i saw one shift in the first period....for like 10sec
update*
no shift in the second

Is this over?

 

[ihaveyuidonttouchme]

Is this over?

final minute and pretty much over
saw yakupov takine 3 penalties so that was something

one shift...



thats all he did whiTe #92 RW

 

[Mr. Canucklehead]

They are both are wingers who like to take the puck to the net? Actually Booth did cut to the net like Podkolzin does, but I think Podkolzin has much better puck skills.

Yeah, the comparison begins and ends with “big wingers who drive the net”. Booth didn’t really have much more in his toolbox other than size and good skating. His shot was OK and his deking/dangles were non-existent. He also lacked a rounded passing game.

Podkolzin seems to have impressive hands, and an at least decent shot and passing game. He’s also consistently lauded for being solid defensively, something Booth was never known for.