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

[Quinning]

Four other teams after us passed on Caufield. It’s not like he was picked 11th.

Anyone heard anything about Pod? I want to hear his thoughts on being drafted and coming over to the NHL.

 

[TruKnyte]

One take on Podkolzin from Feb.

 

[just22]

Vasily Podkolzin: 'Great Pleasure and Honour to be selected by the Canucks' - Sportsnet.ca

Canucks newest draft pick Vasily Podkolzin talked to Joey Kenward about he feels about getting selected by the Canucks. HE also talks about if he had a feeling that he would be selected by the Canucks in the lead up to the draft.

Translator wasn’t truthful lol

Last question Podkolzin said he hopes the fans react better than they did when he was picked, but also understands the worry and wants to prove people wrong and looks forward to get over any hurdles in his path.

 

[Paulinvancouver]

Thought he would have gone at 4. Woot woot!!

 

[timw33]

I’m sure you’ll be one of the first people to post if caufield has a better start next season

Cautiously optimistic, hope Pod has a huge season next year and puts any fears to rest.

 

[canwincup]

Never thought they’d take him, but I love the pick

 

[CanaFan]

Four other teams after us passed on Caufield. It’s not like he was picked 11th.

Anyone heard anything about Pod? I want to hear his thoughts on being drafted and coming over to the NHL.

They interviewed him here with a translator, he didn’t say anything about his timeline but said it was an honour to play for the team of the great Pavel Bure (after being asked about Bure by the interviewer).

Seems like a pretty earnest, straightforward kid. Hard to tell cause of the translator though.

 

[13 others]

If he was from NA I'm sure people would have debated him at first OA.

He didn't dominate the MHL. The MHL is not a good league. He was great in international tournaments, however. People are assuming this is a mysterious Russian superstar. He isn't a great athlete.

If he was from NA people would call him a gritty and smart.

 

[Grip it N RYP it]

 

[Teflon Jim]

Makes you wonder if the whole Newhook thing was just a smokescreen.

Could be last year their smoke screen about a centre got Arizona to bite and this year 3 dmen who were thought to be after ten were gone before 10.
JBs bs got teams reaching again

 

[Derp Kassian]

Ultimate upside pick, I didn't consider him at all because 2 years in Russia and Jimbo having to save his job. Looks like Judd and the scouts won out IMO

 

[LickTheEnvelope]

Guy seems very similar to a winger version of Horvat to me. Similar style.

 

[StreetHawk]

it was Boldy or Podkolzin for me.

Gotta say 2 months ago i was wanting to avoid him but as i learned more and did more research i feel like Pod is

1- Not a flight risk
2- Not a threat to be a Zherdev or some party boy that just wants to score
3. Is the 6th best player in the draft currently
4- has the power game and intensity to take his game to higher levels than his projection
5- will do anything to win. Kid is a pit bull

really good pick for a 10OA comparables Tarasenko Meier

His game is different than those guys who are normally flight risk. Apologies for generalizing here.

He's a 2 way, 200 foot player. Goes hard on his shifts. He's not a floater who won't go into the corners. Filatov, Zherdev, Semin, those guys.

Big issue was production. Sam Constentino really likes him on SN. Button on TSN, not as high as he dropped him during the season due to the lack of production.

 

[Billy Kvcmu]

He needs a statue already

 

[TruGr1t]

Shocked they took the pick. I mean, it's not a crazy pick at all, but it's not going to impact the roster for probably 3-4 years. Whoever made this pick isn't worried about their job.

The thing that sticks out to me the most about Podkolzin (keeping in mind I've seen him maybe three times total) is that the criticism and nature of his skating is a lot like Horvat's in his draft year.

The one thing that bugs me about [Podkolzin] is his skating. His stride is a little awkward and inefficient, he’s hunched over, kicks his heels out, but he generates decent speed and hustles so hard that any technical flaw isn’t that exposed.

I'm wondering if the Canucks aren't thinking about it.

 

[Paulinvancouver]

Embarassing they couldn't find anyone in the organization to pronounce Podkolzins name at least half right...

I know it might only be a minor thing but to me it screams unprofessionalism which somehow fits the picture our management group tends to show a lot.

50th anniversary. Vancouver hosting the draft. Smyl first retired jersey and long time member of management.

 

[Knight53]

He was at the WJC last year as a 17 year old. That rarely happens under that coach.

Excited to watch him next year.

 

[Carl Carlson]

Interesting pick. I honestly thought he'd be gone or we'd avoid him due to the 2 years in Russia but I'm good with the 'risky' part of the pick. The potential payoff if he develops is massive.

 

[Paulinvancouver]

I hate Vancouver
I hate the Nucks
I hate the fact you guys got my pick as the biggest darkhorse in the draft
Well done

Word!

 

[TruGr1t]

Guy seems very similar to a winger version of Horvat to me. Similar style.

Posted it after you, but yes, this dude sounds exactly like Horvat to me.

 

[Angry Little Elf]

Russian Horvat. I like the pick

 

[CanaFan]

Can’t complain about the 2 year contract, that’s gonna be pretty standard for all of Zegras, Krebs, Newhook, Boldy, etc. Some may come after 1 but probably most will be 2 years. I’d expect Podz should be pretty NHL ready after that, so it’s a pretty standard development timeline.

 

[CanaFan]

E. Kane’s body, A. Burrows heart.

 

[BoHorvat 53]

Is he one of the more younger players in the draft? Is hockey IQ an issue? Genuinely curious, don’t know much about this pick here

 

[pahlsson]

Could be last year their smoke screen about a centre got Arizona to bite and this year 3 dmen who were thought to be after ten were gone before 10.
JBs bs got teams reaching again

Benning playing chess while everyone playing checkers