Vasili Podkolzin Scouting Report

Written By: Clare McManus 

      Vasili Podkolzin was recently selected 10th overall, in the first round, of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Vancouver Canucks. Before dropping to #10, Podkolzin was projected to go 3rd overall in the draft. Podkolzin really stood out to scouts during the 2018/19 Hlinka Gretzky Cup after scoring 8 goals, and adding 3 assists for 11 points in 5 games played. He was also outstanding with Russia’s U18 Team scoring 18 goals and adding 15 assists for 33 points in 26 games played. We believe the reason he dropped lower than projected was because of his numbers with SKA St. Petersburg. In 29 games played, Podkolzin scored 8 goals and added 5 assists for 13 total points. He split his season playing in the KHL, VHL, and MHL. He was also not very impressive at the U18 World Juniors this past year, scoring only 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points in 7 games played. The Canucks may have a little bit of time before they see Podkolzin, as he recently signed a deal with SKA St. Petersburg. Hopefully he will find his consistency, as he has the potential to be a great winger on an NHL roster. 

   

    Podkolzin is one of the most skilled wingers coming out of the 2019 draft. He is a great skater who can be very hard to beat with his extra steps, while also maintaining a stable balance. He also possesses great stickhandling abilities, and can easily beat defenders off the rush or by battling in the corners. He is also a shoot first type of player whose slapshot and wrist shoot are very good. He is a natural goal scorer who is very sneaky at getting open for a pass and taking a lightning quick one-timer. Podkolzin is also very effective in the small areas by the net with his soft hands and ability to lift the puck when needed. He is a decent passer who can make a quick tape-to-tape pass. He can easily be used as player on the power play. Overall, Podkolzin is a very creative player with great hockey sense and playmaking abilities. 

    Defensively, Podkolzin is very effective. He is very fierce and he is not afraid to be physical and knock players off the puck. Podkolzin is a puck magnet and attacks well at any opportunity he has. He is strong in corner battles, while working very good down low fighting for any loose pucks. He has an active stick and does well at creating turnovers. With the speed Podkolzin has he is willing to take the puck up ice and get out of the zone. 

    As said in the beginning, the Canucks will have to wait until Podkolzin’s KHL deal is done before he suits up for the NHL. He may also need to work on including his teammates more often, as he usually likes to create more opportunities for himself. Podkolzin also needs to keep his head up more because it’s easy for other players to hit him. But either way he is NHL ready, and if he develops what is needed he has the potential to be a future 1st line winger or at lowest, at least a top-six forward. He draws similar comparisons to Evander Kane of the San Jose Sharks. I believe Podkozlin is a very good fit for the Canucks as they already have prospects like Nilis Hoglander, Quinn Hughes, Olli Juolevi, Jett woo, and more. They also have young guns like Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, and Bo Hovart. So he is a player the Canucks should see a lot of potential in to strengthen their young core.