RW/LW Vasili Podkolzin - SKA-Neva St.Petersburg, VHL (2019, 10th, VAN)

[Raccoon Jesus]

Graz. Am I right to assume that you guys probably wouldn't let Byram stay on the board if Chicago & us take Turcotte & Zegras 3 & 4?

It's an assumption but most of the Kings board is on the same page that we're after Byram or Turcotte, I couldn't see them passing on either guy at 5. If they're both taken...all bets are off, and the pick Blake makes will tell us a lot about the 'type' of player he's after as well as philosophy

 

[cgf]

It's an assumption but most of the Kings board is on the same page that we're after Byram or Turcotte, I couldn't see them passing on either guy at 5. If they're both taken...all bets are off, and the pick Blake makes will tell us a lot about the 'type' of player he's after as well as philosophy

Glad to know I wasn't completely out to lunch

Reading Hepple (Avs head scout)'s comments on the top prospects in this class really reminded me of the way he gushed about Makar, when he got to Zegras. So I suspect that whichever way Chicago goes with #3, you'll get a shot Byram or Turcotte.

 

[Castle8130]

2 months ago McKenzie said 8 out of 10 NHL scouts he polled had Podkolzin as the #3 player in the draft.

Not sure one tournament where he was hurt/fatigued is going to change their minds as much as you suggest.



https://www.tsn.ca/hughes-kakko-in-tight-race-for-top-spot-1.1284470

Things have changed, and a lot of other players potential have caught up with him.

 

[Ace Card Bedard]

I don't think there's any clear order after Hughes and Kakko.
My guess is that Podz can be anywhere from 3-10 and the same goes for Turcotte, Dach, Byram, etc.

We really have no clue what's going on in the NHL teams' scouting offices.

 

[57special]

I don't think there's any clear order after Hughes and Kakko.
My guess is that Podz can be anywhere from 3-10 and the same goes for Turcotte, Dach, Byram, etc.

We really have no clue what's going on in the NHL teams' scouting offices.

I would say 3-16. He is certainly the mystery man in this draft. I wouldn't be thrilled if my team took him at 12, but I am basing my opinion off the WJC, a half dozen clips, and fit. I am probably missing something, just like I did with Tkachuk.

 

[cgf]

I would say 3-16. He is certainly the mystery man in this draft. I wouldn't be thrilled if my team took him at 12, but I am basing my opinion off the WJC, a half dozen clips, and fit. I am probably missing something, just like I did with Tkachuk.

I've got him going by 6...although I would have no qualms with my team taking him 4th if we find a long-term 2c-solution using a different avenue, having primarily watched him in the MHL, VHL & U18s; not having seen the Hlinka or WJAC performances where he killed it on the ice & scoresheet.

FWIW part of what makes me love him so much is his maturity/self-awareness & drive, and that's tougher to pick up if you don't speak russian and weren't at the combine to see his interviews (apparently)...I mean I love his game even it's still raw, otherwise I wouldn't want him in the top 5, but it's a lot easier to buy into him making the strides he needs when he's got a great head on his shoulders, the innate creative-thinking to really mature his game, & seems to have a clear plan built around getting the most out of his talent rather than rushing to "make it."


This is a weird comp because there are massive differences, but a lot of my feelings about Pod are very similar to how I felt about Makar two years ago. Now there are a number of big differences in the specifics: one is a blueliner & the other a forward; Pod is super young for his class while Cale was old for his; Pod's physical tools are immense but some question just how high his skill level is while Cale's technical tools where astounding but some questioned his physical tools; Makar's questions where often connected to the level of competition because we only saw him at a lower level while Pod's questions are in large part the result of how many different levels we saw him at due to the numerous promotions which prevented him from ever getting the chance to just wrack up stats at a lower level once having "figured it out"; etc.

But both Pod & Makar have a lot of raw talent that they combine(d) with great instincts despite their inexperience, to play very NHL-style games...and both have the self-awareness & dedication to confidently project them to make the strides that they need to to complete their (comparatively) longer development arcs. So I get why both have/had their skeptics, but both are gambles I feel very confident(ly) in for similar reasons.

 

[FMichael]

I don't think there's any clear order after Hughes and Kakko.
My guess is that Podz can be anywhere from 3-10 and the same goes for Turcotte, Dach, Byram, etc.

We really have no clue what's going on in the NHL teams' scouting offices.

Agreed...One minute you think a team like Chicago would go after their hometown kid Turcotte, but then other analysts say they'd be better off with Byram.

Detroit seems keen on any one of Byram, Turcotte, Cozens, Zegras, or Podkolzin...It'll be interesting.

 

[FrankGallagher]

I've got him going by 6...although I would have no qualms with my team taking him 4th if we find a long-term 2c-solution using a different avenue, having primarily watched him in the MHL, VHL & U18s; not having seen the Hlinka or WJAC performances where he killed it on the ice & scoresheet.

FWIW part of what makes me love him so much is his maturity/self-awareness & drive, and that's tougher to pick up if you don't speak russian and weren't at the combine to see his interviews (apparently)...I mean I love his game even it's still raw, otherwise I wouldn't want him in the top 5, but it's a lot easier to buy into him making the strides he needs when he's got a great head on his shoulders, the innate creative-thinking to really mature his game, & seems to have a clear plan built around getting the most out of his talent rather than rushing to "make it."


This is a weird comp because there are massive differences, but a lot of my feelings about Pod are very similar to how I felt about Makar two years ago. Now there are a number of big differences in the specifics: one is a blueliner & the other a forward; Pod is super young for his class while Cale was old for his; Pod's physical tools are immense but some question just how high his skill level is while Cale's technical tools where astounding but some questioned his physical tools; Makar's questions where often connected to the level of competition because we only saw him at a lower level while Pod's questions are in large part the result of how many different levels we saw him at due to the numerous promotions which prevented him from ever getting the chance to just wrack up stats at a lower level once having "figured it out"; etc.

But both Pod & Makar have a lot of raw talent that they combine(d) with great instincts despite their inexperience, to play very NHL-style games...and both have the self-awareness & dedication to confidently project them to make the strides that they need to to complete their (comparatively) longer development arcs. So I get why both have/had their skeptics, but both are gambles I feel very confident(ly) in for similar reasons.

One of the best posts I have seen on this forum. Love that comparison and feel the same way

 

[habbyboolin]

This is a must-watch:

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Really interested to see where he goes. Wonder if teams are going to be really wary of him and he will drop into the teens, when only a couple months ago he was seen as the clear #3. Seems a lot of fans of teams drafting top 10 prefer the CHL/USNTDP guys over him.

 

[cgf]

Really interested to see where he goes. Wonder if teams are going to be really wary of him and he will drop into the teens, when only a couple months ago he was seen as the clear #3. Seems a lot of fans of teams drafting top 10 prefer the CHL/USNTDP guys over him.

Fans have been lower on Pod than the scouts all season long

 

[57special]

Scouching makes him sound like Bob Gainey.

 

[Castle8130]

This is a must-watch:

One thing I notice that Podkolzin doesn't do great with is his patience in the offensive zone. He just wants to fire the puck at the net at full speed ( everything at full-speed). He needs to work on that to improve his production.

 

[HOPE]

he reminds me a bit ofa bigger Yakupov but better in his own zone, they want to be everywhere at the same time but doesn't realy know where to be, they waste alot of useless energy! i still believe Yak could of turned it differentely in a different type of developpement and also maybe Podkolzin will be more receptive to coaching!

 

[Poppy Whoa Sonnet]

Things have changed, and a lot of other players potential have caught up with him.

Still only 2 months ago, and:

"Russian winger Vasili Podkolzin actually makes it more of a Big Three.

Eight of 10 scouts had Podkolzin at No. 3 and there appears to be some separation between the top three and the rest of the class"

Scouting boards are in flux but I find it hard to believe that every team then moved him to 10+ in the span of 2 months which is where I see him on many boards now. He's probably going to be taken by one of the teams in 3-10 in my opinion. Detroit seems like a reasonable guess given they have no desire to compete asap.

 

[Bevans]

Can anyone comment on why Podkolzin is entering this draft with more hype that Kratsov did last year?

I just don't understand how Kratsov was considered a reach by some at 9, and Pod is a potential third overall.

Would anyone take him over Kratsov if they were in same draft class?

 

[Castle8130]

Still only 2 months ago, and:

"Russian winger Vasili Podkolzin actually makes it more of a Big Three.

Eight of 10 scouts had Podkolzin at No. 3 and there appears to be some separation between the top three and the rest of the class"

Scouting boards are in flux but I find it hard to believe that every team then moved him to 10+ in the span of 2 months which is where I see him on many boards now. He's probably going to be taken by one of the teams in 3-10 in my opinion. Detroit seems like a reasonable guess given they have no desire to compete asap.

I don't think 3-10 is as accurate as you'd think. I would bet on 7-13 as a more accurate representation of where he gets picked.

 

[cgf]

Can anyone comment on why Podkolzin is entering this draft with more hype that Kratsov did last year?

I just don't understand how Kratsov was considered a reach by some at 9, and Pod is a potential third overall.

Would anyone take him over Kratsov if they were in same draft class?

Because he has more-talent/a-higher-ceiling and plays a more NHL-style game despite being less experienced than Kravtsov was a year ago. I liked Kravtsov a lot and defend him against cries of being a reach...but I take Pod over Kravtsov 10 times out of 10.* They may end up similar producers, but Pod is just more assertive on the ice & much more of a force against the puck.

*That said, I was even higher on Denisenko than I was Kravtsov...though I'd still take Pod over either of them, without much thought...even if Denisenko wasn't as far along or big.

 

[57special]

he reminds me a bit ofa bigger Yakupov but better in his own zone, they want to be everywhere at the same time but doesn't realy know where to be, they waste alot of useless energy! i still believe Yak could of turned it differentely in a different type of developpement and also maybe Podkolzin will be more receptive to coaching!

OMG, Podkolzin is far better without the puck than Yak. He is checking demon, while Yak was...not.

 

[rt]

There are a lot of crazy hot takes about Podkolzin. The guy is a gamer. Total puck hound who works his ass off. He actually reminds me of a winger version of Sean Monahan in his draft year, as far as that goes. The always dogging the puck and always working his bag off to be involved in the play aspect. Along with some great skill, both shooting and passing.

People voting Yakuoov are just being lazy with their criticisms. A lot of what I loved about Sean Monahan’s game in 2013, I love about Podkolzin’s.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

OMG, Podkolzin is far better without the puck than Yak. He is checking demon, while Yak was...not.

Looking back what they said (here in HFBoards + by the experts/scouts) about Yakupov back in 2010,2011 and in 2012..
- people said a lot things about Yakupov, lots of people.

I spent about an hour yesterday reading posts about Yakupov.....
99,9% of those posters were wrong, only 1 guy claimed that he would not be any good in the NHL,
now obviously he was ridiculed.

Personally, i don't think Podkolzin is nearly as good as Yakupov
but time will tell i guess.

 

[Bevans]

Because he has more-talent/a-higher-ceiling and plays a more NHL-style game despite being less experienced than Kravtsov was a year ago. I liked Kravtsov a lot and defend him against cries of being a reach...but I take Pod over Kravtsov 10 times out of 10.* They may end up similar producers, but Pod is just more assertive on the ice & much more of a force against the puck.

*That said, I was even higher on Denisenko than I was Kravtsov...though I'd still take Pod over either of them, without much thought...even if Denisenko wasn't as far along or big.

Can you speak a bit to their respective output in their draft years? Do you think Pod could have performed in the KHL playoffs this year in the way that Kratsov did?

Or, is this similar to Hughes/Kakko wherein one guy projects better and the other looks better against men today?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think Podkolzin and Kravtsov are similar level prospects. I ranked Kravtsov 10th and he went 9th. I haven’t finalized my last rankings for 2019, but I think Podkolzin will be somewhere similar, and I don’t think there’s a huge amount of difference between the quality of prospects in that area of the two drafts.

I think there’s a lot about the two prospects that is very different.

Kravtsov is a lot more finesse and a possession guy. He’s also a faster skater with better edges, but Podkolzin plays a lot faster, while Kravtsov slows play down too much, which limits his plus skating, so let’s call that area a wash. I think their shots and puck skills are similar. Both have good shots and the hands to stick handle past defenders. Podkolzin uses these tools off the rush, while Kravtsov operates more in a structured offense. Kravtsov has a better hockey IQ and passing vision. It leads to better playmaking ability. Podkolzin plays at a frantic pace, which leads him to often miss passing options and I don’t believe he’s a natural playmaker either. Podkolzin does have an advantage in going to dirty areas in the offensive zone and playing a more physical game. Podkolzin is filled out, while Kravtsov is lanky. Both are around the same height. Their defensive play is at a similar level with a slight advantage to Podkolzin. Both are average or a little above average defensively. Podkolzin plays defense more with a gritty style, while Kravtsov plays a more tactical defensive style.

They’ve earned their reputations in different arenas. Kravtsov showed very well in the KHL and got very few international opportunities, while Podkolzin didn’t get much of an opportunity in the KHL in his draft season and had mediocre stats in lower leagues, but did extremely well in most of his international opportunities. A lot of the difference here is down to circumstance. Kravtsov played for a KHL team where a draft eligible can get regular playing time, Podkolzin didn’t. Podkolzin is also an early birthday, which means he’s a full age group behind in his development. Kravtsov didn’t get the international opportunities that Podkolzin did. He was one of the youngest players in his international age group, so that plays a part.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Kravtsov is more creative and has better puck skills. Podkolzin is a bull in a china shop.. and is less refined.

 

[cgf]

Can you speak a bit to their respective output in their draft years? Do you think Pod could have performed in the KHL playoffs this year in the way that Kratsov did?

Or, is this similar to Hughes/Kakko wherein one guy projects better and the other looks better against men today?

Kravtsov was further along in his development curve in his draft year; having played 41 games in the MHL and gotten a cup of coffee in the KHL during his draft-1 because he was 7 months older and quite a bit bigger. Whereas Pod didn't play his first MHL match until this past fall...and wasn't in the MHL for long before leaving for the NTs and getting promoted to the VHL upon his return.

So no I don't think Pod could have matched Kravtsov's draft-year KHL performance. I do think that he could have produced better in the VHL had he not been restricted to a checking line, but the KHL would've been a step too far for him this year; as Pod simply isn't as far along in his development arc.

Pod/Krav does have that Hughes/Kakko dynamic where one guy is more ready to shine against men now, while the other projects better in the long run...especially on the smaller ice of the NHL. As I am very confident in Podkolzin reaching the higher level; since he plays a much more NHL-style game, he makes a lot more of an impact against the puck, and I think his offensive ceiling is even higher...as I do believe Pod can top 40 goals if he ends up playing next to a legit 1c...