Confirmed with Link: [EDM/VAN] Oilers acquire Vasily Podkolzin for OTT 4th '25

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Having a dude like podz that is relentless getting the puck back is perfect for Drai. If he starts burying a bit more it will be a fantastic match.

If he starts potting a few goals, he will become a nightmare for whoever he's playing with, because I don't know about you guys, but I can see the Space he's creating on the ice in the offensive zone for Draisaitl, Leon has so much more freedom to operate with Podkolzin's forecheck and battle level.

 

[Juxta Position]

He does a lot of things that go unnoticed … that a lot of people that don’t really understand hockey they don’t pick up on it … but he’s a really under-rated hockey player.

Hmm. Interesting comments by Draisaitl in the video clip posted above. ‘People that don’t really understand hockey’. Huh.

I'm assuming he was speaking directly to Spector with that comment.

 

[JustNapalmIt]

I'm assuming he was speaking directly to Spector with that comment.

Why would you assume that?
Im guessing hes speaking to the Twitter trolls and bloggers.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Why would you assume that?
Im guessing hes speaking to the Twitter trolls and bloggers.

No he might be right, because Spec is a pretty big tool who would beak off about this "Russian in the top-6 with no goals"

Twitter definitely has guys who barely understand the sport, but the bloggers are aware of Podkolzin's positive contributions, imo.

 

[VeteranPresence]

Podz: 22 GP, 6 points, 52 hits. 23 years old.
Holloway: 22 GP, 8 points, 41 hits. 23 years old.

Not a huge downgrade all things considered, plus you have him for an extra year at half the price. Podz is also showing chemistry with McDrai which is something Holloway struggled with. If he takes that next step over these last 60 games it's a huge win.

 

[Jimmi McJenkins]

Podz: 22 GP, 6 points, 52 hits. 23 years old.
Holloway: 22 GP, 8 points, 41 hits. 23 years old.

Not a huge downgrade all things considered, plus you have him for an extra year at half the price. Podz is also showing chemistry with McDrai which is something Holloway struggled with. If he takes that next step over these last 60 games it's a huge win.

With all due respect, Vet, I won't do the versus, but I will give Stan credit for picking him up for basically nothing once those offersheets were signed. Well done Stan.

 

[Juxta Position]

Why would you assume that?
Im guessing hes speaking to the Twitter trolls and bloggers.

Because Spector is an idiot....kinda thought that was widely known.

 

[FlameChampion]

Podz: 22 GP, 6 points, 52 hits. 23 years old.
Holloway: 22 GP, 8 points, 41 hits. 23 years old.

Not a huge downgrade all things considered, plus you have him for an extra year at half the price. Podz is also showing chemistry with McDrai which is something Holloway struggled with. If he takes that next step over these last 60 games it's a huge win.

And Holloway has probably got more PP and EN situations. Podkolzin has played a good amount with Draisaitl though.

 

[North]

And Holloway has probably got more PP and EN situations. Podkolzin has played a good amount with Draisaitl though.

He has. I believe three of his points came on the PP and one goal was an EN.

Someone said the Blues have started to reduce his ice time since the offense has dried up.

 

[VeteranPresence]

And Holloway has probably got more PP and EN situations. Podkolzin has played a good amount with Draisaitl though.

Definitely a lot more tilted in Pod's favour when you look at it that way:

Podz- 12:05 ES, 0:41 PK, 0 PP
Holloway- 13:20 ES, 0:38 PK, 1:17 PP

Have to think our guy would be at least tied in points if he was given a minute of PP time per game with McDrai.

 

[Behind Enemy Lines]

Podkolzen was always a solid buy-low second organization look. He's showing a robust hard game and we'll see if the goal scoring follows. Finding wingers is the easiest position to fill. Regarding Holloway he's also taken 100 face-offs (though on 41%) as the Blues move him around their lineup in this early phase to see what they have. He was also the collateral piece to catch the Oilers napping on the real different asset to acquire in a pre-peak years high pedigree d-man with size, high level mobility, and all situational play. My prediction remains Holloway will be a Calgary Flamer within three years.

Podkolzen has earned a solid run with Draisaitl on his raw game, work ethic and opportunity knocking with Kane out and a more one dimensional expensive guy Jeff Skinner not seizing it. Love to see it. Think late season he might slot in as a high motor, heavy game middle winger who can moonlight in this top six. Easy player to cheer for.

 

[Soundwave]

I'll be honest I don't think I'd trade Podkolzin for Holloway back right now if given the choice.

No offense to Holloway, he'll be a decent player I think too, but I think once Podkolzin gets more comfortable and learns to read how to get some easier looks off Draisaitl or McDavid, he's going to be a enormous pain in the ass to play against.

Dude is maybe legit one of the strongest players I've seen in the NHL, Trouba tried to push him back and the guy barely moved an inch, he murdered Nashville's enforcer in a fight. On the forecheck he just goes through players. I see nothing wrong with his shot mechanics, it's just a confidence issue.

Surprised by some of the good passes he makes too, like he's not McDavid or Drai out there or anything like that, but there are so many players on this team that just make mind boggling decisions with the puck and he just makes good straight forward plays. Set up Draisaitl for a heck of a one timer last game.

 

[Duke74]

Why would you assume that?
Im guessing hes speaking to the Twitter trolls and bloggers.

Or maybe the HF contingent that constantly shits on him

 

[SupremeTeam16]

Podkolzin and Holloway are fairly similar players, both good skaters, tenacious forecheckers, both strong kids who can be physical and who can play a responsible two way game. Key difference is Podkolzin has shown more offense at higher levels then Holloway has.

Bowman got a similar caliber player, who’s the same age as Holloway but who’s shown better scoring upside, at less then half the cap hit while also upgrading a pick by probably 40-50 spots.

Pretty good work.

 

[ManofSteel55]

Podkolzin and Holloway are fairly similar players, both good skaters, tenacious forecheckers, both strong kids who can be physical and who can play a responsible two way game. Key difference is Podkolzin has shown more offense at higher levels then Holloway has.

Bowman got a similar caliber player, who’s the same age as Holloway but who’s shown better scoring upside, at less then half the cap hit while also upgrading a pick by probably 40-50 spots.

Pretty good work.

I agree with your assessment.

Podkolzin has come as advertised by Canuck fans in my opinion. He looks very good out there most of the time, but he doesn't produce much offense. It's like he does absolutely everything, except that one thing that is the hardest to do, and we need him to do in order to keep deploying him where we are. I hope he figures out how to read the play in the offensive zone a bit better, and that his shot improves a bit. Physically, he is an absolute unit, and he has the potential to be a very good power forward for us, if it all comes together.

 

[Da McBomb]

I can see why alot of Canuck fans were upset when they traded Podk. Despite the lack of offence, there is definitely an NHL player there. Not only is he a force on the forecheck and can hit and fight like a tank... the play does not die on his stick like so many other players. His passing is quite good and he seems to have good hockey IQ. I think this is why McDavid and Drai don't mind playing with him despite his lack of scoring. Hopefully the dam breaks now after his first goal...