Vasily Podkolzin’s journey with the Vancouver Canucks has been disappointing, marked by a decline in his development and a loss of his once-vibrant playing style, replaced by a more rigid, systems-driven approach.
Initially, there was a lot of excitement around Podkolzin, the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. However, as time went on, it became evident that expectations for a 10th pick might have been too high.
Out of the 61 players chosen 10th overall in NHL history, Podkolzin ranks 46th in career games played, with Cody Hodgson and Rick Blight, two other Canucks draftees, not far ahead. While the 10th pick doesn’t usually produce star players, there was hope that Podkolzin could defy the odds, especially considering his strong pre-draft performances at various international tournaments and professional games in the VHL and KHL.
So, where did things go wrong?
One factor was his contract with SKA Saint Petersburg in the KHL, which kept him in Russia for two more years after being drafted. This lack of control over his development concerned some teams, and it proved to be a valid concern. At SKA, a wealthy KHL team, Podkolzin was often relegated to a minor role, stifling his growth.
When Podkolzin finally joined the Canucks, his NHL contract didn’t allow for a return to Europe if things didn’t go well, meaning he had to stay in the NHL even if he wasn’t ready. In his first month, he was mostly a fourth-liner, playing less than nine minutes per game. Instead of gaining confidence in the AHL, where he could have been a top player, he was thrust into a struggling NHL team.
Despite eventually finding his footing under coach Bruce Boudreau, the instability of two different coaches in his first season wasn’t ideal. Although Podkolzin proved to be a reliable two-way player, his scoring significantly dropped after his first season, with only four goals in his final 58 games for the Canucks. He became overly cautious, often avoiding driving the net and making safe plays, which ultimately didn’t match the Canucks’ expectations.
In summary, a combination of factors, including his early KHL contract, a lack of development time in the minors, and a shift towards a conservative playing style, contributed to Podkolzin’s underwhelming tenure with the Vancouver Canucks.
