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

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I like him overall, he's very persistent in his efforts throughout a game, strong on the puck and got tenacity to his game. What is missing so far is creating scoring chances. Bragin is relatively loyal to him and gives him opportunities even on the PP but he's always away from the scoring situations.
 
I like him overall, he's very persistent in his efforts throughout a game, strong on the puck and got tenacity to his game. What is missing so far is creating scoring chances. Bragin is relatively loyal to him and gives him opportunities even on the PP but he's always away from the scoring situations.
yep, that sounds like nichushkin to me all right.
 
Love this kid. The WJC was always going to be a mixed bag for somebody so young. If you still consider the top of the draft to be without question Hughes and Kakko, the race for #3 is still wide open and I can’t see why Pod doesn’t get some serious consideration at that point.
 
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Nichushkin produced in the KHL at the same age, and Podkolzin didn't produce in the VHL...
If you are good at scouting you know why Nichushkin "produced" and also why he failed to produce later on. You should also know then where and why Podkolzin is playing.

All that BEFORE we start talking about the actual talent, traits and assets of both players you see in them in a game.

Nichushkin always was a somewhat flawed prospect, but that doesn't mean he had no chance. He just did all the wrong things. Never really worked on his weaknesses, left for NA too early where he was rushed, but that in particular is not on him.

And then remember they are all prospects. There is no guarantee Podkolzin will reach his ceiling in a heartbeat. He has to do all the right things to do so. Right now though he looks really good, because he shows those things you can't teach. He has the talent that Nichushkin never had.
 
If you are good at scouting you know why Nichushkin "produced" and also why he failed to produce later on. You should also know then where and why Podkolzin is playing.

All that BEFORE we start talking about the actual talent, traits and assets of both players you see in them in a game.

Nichushkin always was a somewhat flawed prospect, but that doesn't mean he had no chance. He just did all the wrong things. Never really worked on his weaknesses, left for NA too early where he was rushed, but that in particular is not on him.

And then remember they are all prospects. There is no guarantee Podkolzin will reach his ceiling in a heartbeat. He has to do all the right things to do so. Right now though he looks really good, because he shows those things you can't teach. He has the talent that Nichushkin never had.

Staying in Russia would not have improved his shot, lack of hockey IQ. If it is later found out a prospect lacks hockey IQ there potential is severely limited. If there still in the NHL at all with those deficiencies then they have some serious physical attributed keeping them in the league.
 
Nichushkin produced in the KHL at the same age, and Podkolzin didn't produce in the VHL...
Podkolzin is nothing like Nichushkin

Nichushkin was a 6'4'' physical monster at a young age; able to dominate (particularly against juniors) by simply driving to the net. Yet his lack of overall skill was eventually exposed as he rose through the ranks.

Podkolzin bulls over people via pure effort, and his skill set is far more well-rounded and multi-dimensional than Nichushkin's.
 
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Staying in Russia would not have improved his shot, lack of hockey IQ. If it is later found out a prospect lacks hockey IQ there potential is severely limited. If there still in the NHL at all with those deficiencies then they have some serious physical attributed keeping them in the league.
In Russia theynmight have been more patient with his development hammering in some basics he was lacking into his game.
 
I don't get this Nichushkin-Podkolzin debate. Absolutely different players, different skillset, different size. Nichushkin was producing in the KHL because he is big and knew hot to protect the puck at high speeds. That allowed him to drive to the net and score, that's basically the only way he was able to score with at all levels. He's mediocre or flatout terrible at everything else. Podkolzin has the potential to be much better but there's long way to go for him which is not particularly shocking, he's 17.
 
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Can anyone explain to me his relatively low MHL numbers vs impressive International Play? On the face of it, it certainly seems like he could be someone who got hot at the right times. That said, I see the tools myself in those clips, so what's going on in the MHL? Usage?
 
Can anyone explain to me his relatively low MHL numbers vs impressive International Play? On the face of it, it certainly seems like he could be someone who got hot at the right times. That said, I see the tools myself in those clips, so what's going on in the MHL? Usage?

He moved to a line with Morozov and Marchenko after the first couple games (with lesser linemates) and has played great with them. He's p/g after the first four games. It's a tough league to score in and he plays on a deep team that doesn't really have a dedicated power play unit where he'd rack up more points. His production is still not great for a potential top 5 pick, but it's not a huge red flag.
 
He reminds me of Daniel Alfredsson.

He needs to really work on his skating to make it fluid though. That's my only knock having seen him play.
 

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