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Canucks: A look at Vasili Podkolzin’s season so far

By Joshua Rey|
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: Vasili Podkolzin signs autographs after being selected tenth overall by the Vancouver Canucks during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA - JUNE 21: Vasili Podkolzin signs autographs after being selected tenth overall by the Vancouver Canucks during the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)

Let’s take a look at Vancouver Canucks prospect Vasili Podkolzin and the season he’s been having so far in the KHL playing with SKA St. Petersburg.

When the Vancouver Canucks took Vasili Podkolzin 10th overall at the 2019 NHL Entry Draft at Rogers Arena, they weren’t concerned about his production or the fact they had to wait two years before the Russian winger would make the jump to the NHL.

Canucks general manager Jim Benning even remarked that whomever they picked “probably needed two years of development anyway.”

It has been quite a whirlwind of a season for Podkolzin with SKA St. Petersburg up to this point.  He has been moved up and down the lineup, playing on the first or fourth lines, was a healthy scratch multiple times (including the last game against Severstal), and was demoted to the VHL and later called back up when several team members were struck with COVID-19.

Podkolzin has scored two goals and four assists in 24 games. You might not think that is a lot but remember he isn’t getting much ice time.

How Podkolzin is doing in the KHL

I have been keeping my eyes on Podkolzin’s development through social media but I needed someone who has watched his games. I reached out to Chris Faber of Canucks Army and host of the Canucks Conversation Podcast (and soon to be producer/op for Sportsnet 650) for help on this article. He has watched pretty much every Podkolzin game and has got up really early in the morning to give us updates on him.

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Here is what Faber had to say about the Canucks top prospect:

"“I think he’s been good in his limited time. SKA is a tough team to crack but he’s now in a position to play first line minutes and that’s great. His strength is in the neutral zone as he is a possession monster. His skating looks to have improved from last season and he’s more confident with his physicality. He looks NHL ready right now. The scoring will come in this year’s world juniors but he has a bit to go before NHL scoring will come. Needs to be a bit more accurate with his shots and that is something he can work on this offseason. I’m expecting big things from him in 2021-22.”"

So despite the limited ice time, Podkolzin seems to be doing just fine.

Let’s take a look at some clips of Podkolzin.

One of his strengths is his hands and they are on full display here as he carries the puck out of the defensive zone and cruises by defenders before taking a shot. Faber is also right about the winger’s skating as it does look better than last season.

Podkolzin is also very strong on the forecheck and his demonstrated abilities to battle along the boards.

https://twitter.com/ChrisFaber39/status/1297127375482654720

Here is a look at one of Podkolzin’s goals. Notice how he comes out of nowhere knowing his teammate will pass it to him behind the net before he uses his size and hands to beat his man and score.

https://twitter.com/ChrisFaber39/status/1326946945613529093?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1326946945613529093%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcanucksarmy.com%2F2020%2F11%2F12%2Fcanucks-top-prospect-vasili-podkolzin-notches-two-points-first-line-duties-khl%2F

Podkolzin has also displayed good defensive skills as he was willing to block shots and get into those defensive puck battles. He also is pretty solid with the backcheck.

https://twitter.com/ChrisFaber39/status/1316444171318816769

Podkolzin’s two-way game will be loved by Canucks fans. He brings a high compete level to every game and every shift. He’s a workhorse on skates.

Fans shouldn’t be worried

Some Canucks fans, particularly on social media, are concerned that Podkolzin isn’t scoring or putting up points. He simply isn’t getting a lot of ice time and is usually on the fourth line or he’s the13th forward.

It is frustrating how they are handling him there in St. Petersburg. However, the KHL isn’t a league to develop players and they obviously know that Podkolzin will leave for the NHL once the season ends so they don’t have much interest in developing him.

It’s like how you don’t give an employee a promotion because he or she is leaving the company in a week. He is a 19-year-old playing in a men’s league, and from what I have heard, SKA is a pretty good team.

Podkolzin will have the opportunity to put up point totals at the upcoming World Junior tournament for Russia. He has got the traits of a top-six forward and I don’t expect him to be that right away when he does come to Vancouver, but there is a lot to like about his two-way game and he could play for the Canucks right now.

However, the KHL regular-season continues until late February We shall keep eye on Podkolzin. Hopefully, he will get more ice time between now and his arrival in Vancouver.

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