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

[Lindgren]

In April JD Burke had him 3rd.

Reportedly, the Canucks had Podkolzin 8th.

Where was this reported? (I'm not doubting, just interested in following up.)

 

[krutovsdonut]

In April JD Burke had him 3rd.

Reportedly, the Canucks had Podkolzin 8th.

the spycammed montreal draft list had him at 8th.

 

[Hansen]

I think NHL teams more readily encourage their European draft picks to come play in North America rather than the other way around. Besides that, moving out of the continent is a big move for 19/20 year olds. Besides, don't most European leagues have a restriction on the number of foreigners you can have on the team? Unless you're a star like Matthews, you only really see European guys returning to their home country. You also earn scholarship / money for education for every year you spend playing in the CHL. It's a bit different for Europeans since they are generally recruited to play a big role for the CHL club and they probably see it as an opportunity to adjust to the North American game and learn English etc. The chances of Karel Plasek playing 1st line minutes and being a point per game player if he goes over to the CHL is much higher than Carson Focht getting top 6 minutes and excelling in Europe.

I was thinking more of what Gillis did with Nicklas Jensen and Alex Grenier in 2012-13. Either high end picks or players who have aged out of Jr. but may not be ready for an AHL job (and the ECHL is a death zone for prospects in general). Or more players doing what Auston Matthews did, as an even younger example. Obviously a spot has to be offered by the team but I think it would draw some more fan attention to a team internationally too I think.

It would make more sense for Jr. age players to make the trip for better minutes and exposure though, for sure

 

[F A N]

I was thinking more of what Gillis did with Nicklas Jensen and Alex Grenier in 2012-13. Either high end picks or players who have aged out of Jr. but may not be ready for an AHL job (and the ECHL is a death zone for prospects in general). Or more players doing what Auston Matthews did, as an even younger example. Obviously a spot has to be offered by the team but I think it would draw some more fan attention to a team internationally too I think.

It would make more sense for Jr. age players to make the trip for better minutes and exposure though, for sure

Neither were shining examples of good player development. Jensen's situation was different from Grenier's. In Jensen's case, he was the classic not ready to play in the NHL but not eligible for the AHL prospect. Plus he's an European returning to Europe. Grenier needed to turn pro. I'm not sure if ECHL would have been the lesser option compared to the Austrian Hockey League.

 

[ihaveyuidonttouchme]

#92 white almost

he got 3 shift!!!

 

[LordBacon]

#92 white almost

he got 3 shift!!!

progress baby!

 

[PuckMunchkin]

#92 white almost

he got 3 shift!!!

He got way more than 3 shifts today.

Regular shifts, just no PP / PK time and SKA was on the PP for 15mins.

Simple game, gains the zone with ease. Only saw him over skate in to no options (and promptly lose the puck) once in the Ozone after entry.

Looks fast enough and strong enough for the KHL, able to protect the puck along the boars and able to beat defenders out side with speed.

His skating still looks awkward at best.

Spent most of the last 2 periods in the oZone with posession.

 

[Diversification]

He got way more than 3 shifts today.

Regular shifts, just no PP / PK time and SKA was on the PP for 15mins.

Simple game, gains the zone with ease. Only saw him over skate in to no options (and promptly lose the puck) once in the Ozone after entry.

Looks fast enough and strong enough for the KHL, able to protect the puck along the boars and able to beat defenders out side with speed.

His skating still looks awkward at best.

Spent most of the last 2 periods in the oZone with posession.

Which line was he on?

 

[PuckMunchkin]

Which line was he on?

3rd or 4th. Dont know SKA enough and missed the beginning introductions.

Im guessing TOI was somewhere around 6-8min.

 

[Johnny Canucker]

Sounds like a huge excuse to troll for no reason. Where did he even mention any tournament?

Ahhhhh must be September when the word “troll” makes its first appearance. Anyone who doesn’t agree with you, or criticizes the team is a “troll”. 2019, here we are.

 

[FroshaugFan2]

10:36 of ice time today and zeroes across the stat line. He had the highest top speed of the game at 36.64 km/h.

Game summary: Traktor - SKA : Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)

 

[sandwichbird2023]

Thanks for the updates guys. Hopefully his ice time gradually increase to around 15mins a game. Not expecting much in terms of offense this season since it sounds like he is 1) getting no PP time, 2) playing low mins, 3) playing on the 3rd/4th line. But it doesn't mean a wasted year if he use this season to improve his game.
I'm cautiously optimistic about this prospect.

 

[PuckMunchkin]

Thanks for the updates guys. Hopefully his ice time gradually increase to around 15mins a game. Not expecting much in terms of offense this season since it sounds like he is 1) getting no PP time, 2) playing low mins, 3) playing on the 3rd/4th line. But it doesn't mean a wasted year if he use this season to improve his game.
I'm cautiously optimistic about this prospect.

KHL is notorious for bringing kids in slow. What I saw from him in game 2 Im definitely optimistic.
His mean streak was nowhere to be found, but that can be expected with a 18yr old playing against men for his first full season.

My biggest worry was that he would "Virtanen" the offence where he beats the defender outside for an easy zone entry and than either skates him self in to trouble or takes a harmless shot from the perimeter. This happened only once, every other time he had the vision to pass to a team mate and that lead to sustained possession in the oZone.

 

[Daniel Gee]

I made a short summary video for Podkolzin. I hope it’s okay that I post this. I always make the videos 2:20m due to twitters video length restrictions.

 

[Quinning]

He needs consistent ice time for his development.

 

[GetFocht]

I made a short summary video for Podkolzin. I hope it’s okay that I post this. I always make the videos 2:20m due to twitters video length restrictions.

Great video, and a sign of things to come. I suspect he is being broken in like any other prospect in Russia and his ice time will gradually increase. Remember, he's still two years away from turning pro in NA.

 

[strattonius]

This kid is an absolute hound on the forecheck- a really good piece for us in the future.

 

[thekernel]

I made a short summary video for Podkolzin. I hope it’s okay that I post this. I always make the videos 2:20m due to twitters video length restrictions.

Nice vid. What a beauty. Still just 18 years old...

 

[Diversification]

I made a short summary video for Podkolzin. I hope it’s okay that I post this. I always make the videos 2:20m due to twitters video length restrictions.

With some players, the puck just seems to follow them. He has that factor and a nice battle level. Two instances he manhandled the opposing player with seeming ease.

Liked what I saw from those shifts, especially the instinct on when and how to engage to win back the puck. Have a feeling he’s going to steadily move up the depth chart this season if he keeps this up.

 

[F A N]

Where was this reported? (I'm not doubting, just interested in following up.)

 

[CS95]

Not a fan of Benning but definitely optimistic about this pick. Seems like he might not produce much in a limited role this season, but if he spends two years in the KHL developing and comes over to spend a half season in the AHL he might be ready after that. Seems like a good player to put with Elias.

 

[VanJack]

It helps when the video poster circles Podkolzin in these highlights (#82). And I have to wonder why there are still people out there concerned about his skating. He looked absolutely explosive to me through the neutral, hitting top speed in a stride and half. And as others have posted, he's an absolute beast on the forecheck, winning puck battle after puck battle.

He's going to be 'load' on the smaller NA ice. Too bad he's likely stuck in the KHL for another season after this one.

 

[jigsaw99]

KHL is notorious for bringing kids in slow. What I saw from him in game 2 Im definitely optimistic.
His mean streak was nowhere to be found, but that can be expected with a 18yr old playing against men for his first full season.

My biggest worry was that he would "Virtanen" the offence where he beats the defender outside for an easy zone entry and than either skates him self in to trouble or takes a harmless shot from the perimeter. This happened only once, every other time he had the vision to pass to a team mate and that lead to sustained possession in the oZone.

I wanna see some Kuznetsov/ Tarasenko D+1 KHL production.

 

[logan5]

Thanks to the person who put that highlight package together.

As long as they develop him properly, I don't mind him being there for 2 years. Managing the salary cap is so critical now that having a player that can come in and contribute like a 4 million dollar player on an elc is a huge advantage, especially at the 3rd year of his cheap contract, where he could be making a huge impact on the team. Pettersson is like that. We have a 8 million dollar player playing for a small fraction of that for the next 2 seasons.

 

[GetFocht]

I wanna see some Kuznetsov/ Tarasenko D+1 KHL production.

you're setting yourself up with unrealistic expectations, both Kuznetsov/Tarasenko had 3 seasons in the KHL before they were drafted. KHL was also a different beast back then where young players were getting ample playing time.