I'd be hoping to get a bottom 6 energy winger at this point nevermind a Barbashev.Shocking camp....worst i've ever seen of him outside of a few stretches last year where his confidence was shot. Was literally getting rid of the puck as soon as he got it and looked unsure and timid when he didn't have it.
Gonna have to rebuild himself. It happens to players but i dont remember it this bad from a confidence standpoint for someone who is in shape, works hard and is strong like a bull and can skate.
Clearly he put the world on his shoulders this summer as Tocchet had already told him to back off a bit with the training had a kid and needs to bring it back to basics mentally take a breath and just play the game
Certainly still time and not the first time a player came into camp stiff and got off on the wrong foot but this is his last year of waiver eligibility and has blown the 10OA top6 expectations to pieces. Hoping to get a Barbashev at this point.
After the draft, he played 2 more years with SKA, which really hurt his development. That is not a team that is focused developing NHL players, they are competing for a championship in the KHL. Staying in Russia really hurt him.Like Rubtsov and Denisenko, another Russian who didn't put up elite MHL numbers and was still overvalued, drafted higher due to (international tournaments) pedigree. Podkolzin needed to dominate the KHL or the A before being thrown into the NHL full time. Not sure if he makes it back full time in a high impact role for Vancouver.
He essentially had an elite Hlinka Gretzky, had a bunch of "North American game" intangibles that scouts loved, and then had a meh DY.After the draft, he played 2 more years with SKA, which really hurt his development. That is not a team that is focused developing NHL players, they are competing for a championship in the KHL. Staying in Russia really hurt him.
He should have played in the AHL when he came over to NA, but was rushed to the NHL. Really he went three years that he didn't get a whole lot better.
I really like his game in abbotsford right now, he is playing with an edge and some confidence. I think the org likes the way he is trending and will keep him in the A for the rest of the year. Most likley he make the team out of camp next year. I don't imagine he is fun to line up against.
Going into his draft year Podkolzin was looked as high as 2 or 3 in the draft and went 10. I'm not sure he ever warrants that, but he should have a solid middle 6 career.
I just think playing 6 mins every few games for SKA hurt him. Getting to be a bigger fish in the CHL may have been a better path.Agreed, he has never really flashed all that much of a very high upside and looks like he will just be a grinder if he stays in North America. Outside of Hlinka-Gretzky, he was never really a superstar for Russia junior international teams either. I don't think it's a "stayed in Russia" issue, he came to North America at age 20, I don't think playing in the CHL at age 18 or 19 would have been a make or break.
It looks like he played 75 games across levels and international the season after being drafted. That is plenty of hockey, and he was certainly a big fish on the U20 team (they don't only play in the world juniors, there is a more regular cycle there).I just think playing 6 mins every few games for SKA hurt him. Getting to be a bigger fish in the CHL may have been a better path.
But he hasn't scored anywhere much, where ever he has played.He has all the tools to develop into a Barbashev type of player.
Wasn't that what people said about Nichushkin?I just dont think his offensive game will ever pop out in the NHL.
He could be an excellent 3rd liner who can fill in the top 6 when needed.
A 40 point guy who is big, tough to play against and can be a hound on the forecheck.
Super disappointing considering where he was picked in the draft but at the same time he plays the type of hockey that could be very useful in a 7 game series.
Wasn't that what people said about Nichushkin?