Latest news with #Podkolzin
Vancouver Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Canucks: Trading Vasily Podkolzin wasn't bad. Not drafting Matt Boldy wasn't good
Vasily Podkolzin is in the Stanley Cup Final. It's a testament to second-chance tenacity for the affable winger, who initially teased of potential with the Vancouver Canucks , but struggled to find consistency in decision-making and finish. He beat himself up mentally and was demoted to Abbotsford of the AHL, where he rebuilt his game and confidence. Somebody obviously noticed. One school of thought is did the Canucks give up on the winger too fast by trading him to the Edmonton Oilers last August for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft? Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The answer is no. They got what they could for Podkolzin, who had two assists in 19 games last season and 15 goals in 44 AHL outings, which seldom equates to NHL success. And Podkolzin wouldn't have been waiver-exempt this season on a club that added wingers. Third-line menace Kiefer Sherwood led the NHL in hits the season with 462 and had a career-high 19 goals on a bargain US$1.5 million salary cap hit. He is 30 but is everything the Canucks need in that lineup position to push, lead by example, and also be a key penalty-kill component. Podkolzin has become a serviceable third-liner for the Oilers, but that's not the career projection for any 10th overall pick. He did manage eight goals and 16 assists this season in 82 games, and has had effective playoff playmaking moments, but where does he project? 'He's hard on the forecheck, he's able to make a nice pass on the breakout and goes to the net when it's in the offensive zone,' said encouraged Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch. Podkolzin had three head coaches in Vancouver — Travis Green, Bruce Boudreau, Rick Tocchet — and systems varied as much as expectations. Green and Tocchet were tough, Boudreau was encouraging. Maybe it's why departed bench boss Tocchet called Podkolzin a bull and a moose. He wasn't quite sure what he had. 'If he plays predictable hockey, he'll be good,' said Tocchet. 'If he knows exactly where the puck is going, that's where the moose comes in. If he's waiting to go, he's standing around. And he'll be late everywhere. He needs to be aggressive and not read the play after it happens.' At 23, age is on Podkolzin's side, and so is understanding career ascension is seldom a straight line. He could have pouted when demoted by the Canucks last season but found needed perspective. 'The first two weeks were really hard,' Podkolzin told Postmedia. 'You start thinking too much. 'What should I do? What's happening?' I had two ways to go. Give up or work. It was good for me to get AHL games to remember who you are and start appreciating.' A more important and pressing query is what were the Canucks thinking at the Rogers Arena draft table in 2019? There must have a been debate. They passed on enticing options — especially with a bumper crop of U.S. National Development Team prospects accounting for three of the first nine picks and seven of the first 15 — but made the surprise selection of Podkolzin. It was somewhat stunning because highly-coveted USNTDP right-winger Matt Boldy was sitting there and taken two picks later by the Minnesota Wild. After his rookie season of 39 points (15-24) in 47 games, compared to 26 points (14-12) for Podkolzin in 79 games, Boldy took off. He had 31, 29 and 27 goals respectively the following three seasons and point totals of 63, 69 and 73. That's nearly a point-per-game pace of 244 in 285 games, the true measure of potency and consistency plus future promise. Boldy became a first-liner for the Wild, was on the U.S. roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off and could warrant Olympic team consideration. Team scouting efficiency is a pick piling up 200 career NHL games for its club. Podkolzin had 137 here and Boldy already has 285 with the Wild. The Canucks have had limited success with drafting forwards 10th overall. They got three successive 20-goal seasons from 1975 pick Rick Blight. They also traded rookie Cody Hodgson, a 2008 selection, after he amassed 16 goals in 63 games in 2011-12. The kicker in all this what-could-have-been hindsight is the current status of Canucks unrestricted right-winger Brock Boeser . He will test the market July 1 and could leave a considerable scoring void, unless he pivots back to the Canucks, which is hard to fathom. After a concussion, too much drama, odd management optics at the trade deadline, and still managing 25 goals, he may need a change of scenery. Boeser, 28, is looking for term and salary and there's a gap between a five-year offer and the seven he covets. The money isn't as big a stumbling block as term. AFP Analytics projects Boeser could get a six-year deal at $8.5 million annually in free agency. The Canucks offered $8 million so the gap isn't huge. If that's still too rich, free agent Nikolaj Ehlers could get six years at $8.1 million annually, if he doesn't re-sign with the Winnipeg Jets. bkuzma@
Edmonton Journal
3 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Canucks: Trading Vasily Podkolzin wasn't bad. Not drafting Matt Boldy wasn't good
Article content One school of thought is did the Canucks give up on the winger too fast by trading him to the Edmonton Oilers last August for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft? The answer is no. They got what they could for Podkolzin, who had two assists in 19 games last season and 15 goals in 44 AHL outings, which seldom equates to NHL success. And Podkolzin wouldn't have been waver-exempt this season on a club that added wingers. Third-line menace Kiefer Sherwood led the NHL in hits the season with 462 and had a career-high 19 goals on a bargain US$1.5 million salary cap hit. He is 30 but is everything the Canucks need in that lineup position to push, lead by example, and also be a key penalty-kill component. Podkolzin has become a serviceable third-liner for the Oilers, but that's not the career projection for any 10th overall pick. He did manage eight goals and 16 assists this season in 82 games, and has had effective playoff playmaking moments, but where does he project?
National Post
3 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Canucks: Trading Vasily Podkolzin wasn't bad. Not drafting Matt Boldy wasn't good
Article content A more important and pressing query is what were the Canucks thinking at the Rogers Arena draft table in 2019? There must have a been debate. Article content They passed on enticing options — especially with a bumper crop of U.S. National Development Team prospects accounting for three of the first nine picks and seven of the first 15 — but made the surprise selection of Podkolzin. Article content It was somewhat stunning because highly-coveted USNTDP right-winger Matt Boldy was sitting there and taken two picks later by the Minnesota Wild. After his rookie season of 39 points (15-24) in 47 games, compared to 26 points (14-12) for Podkolzin in 79 games, Boldy took off. Article content He had 31, 29 and 27 goals respectively the following three seasons and point totals of 63, 69 and 73. That's nearly a point-per-game pace of 244 in 285 games, the true measure of potency and consistency plus future promise. Article content Boldy became a first-liner for the Wild, was on the U.S. roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off and could warrant Olympic team consideration. Team scouting efficiency is a pick piling up 200 career NHL games for its club. Podkolzin had 137 here and Boldy already has 285 with the Wild. Article content Article content The Canucks have had limited success with drafting forwards 10th overall. They got three successive 20-goal seasons from 1975 pick Rick Blight. They also traded rookie Cody Hodgson, a 2008 selection, after he amassed 16 goals in 63 games in 2011-12. Article content The kicker in all this what-could-have-been hindsight is the current status of Canucks unrestricted right-winger Brock Boeser. Article content He will test the market July 1 and could leave a considerable scoring void, unless he pivots back to the Canucks, which is hard to fathom. After a concussion, too much drama, odd management optics at the trade deadline, and still managing 25 goals, he may need a change of scenery. Article content Boeser, 28, is looking for term and salary and there's a gap between a five-year offer and the seven he covets. The money isn't as big a stumbling block as term. Article content AFP Analytics projects Boeser could get a six-year deal at $8.5 million annually in free agency. The Canucks offered $8 million so the gap isn't huge. If that's still too rich, free agent Nikolaj Ehlers could get six years at $8.1 million annually, if he doesn't re-sign with the Winnipeg Jets. Article content Article content
New York Times
26-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Making the call on Edmonton Oilers' reaction and recovery to offer-sheet blindside
The Edmonton Oilers were slammed by offer sheet hell last summer, and made the decision not to match. New general manager Stan Bowman quickly checked down and made two deals to address the situation. How has it worked out? How much did the Oilers surrender in allowing Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway to sign offer sheets with the St. Louis Blues? Advertisement The sample is always a worry when making claims about trade results, but we are deep into the season. New Oilers Ty Emberson and Vasily Podkolzin have both had an opportunity to prove themselves in Edmonton. What's the story? Podkolzin has emerged as a useful player with the Oilers and received a push from the coaching staff that landed him on the No. 2 line with Leon Draisaitl. Playing with the big man at centre, Podkolzin has played 465 minutes, posting 2.19 points per 60 and a goal share of 58 percent. That's a major lift. Holloway found an immediate feature role on a line with Brayden Schenn. He's scoring 2.36 points per 60 and is helping his line outscore opponents at an impressive 63 percent clip. Here's a look at the overall scoring numbers for the two men. All numbers five-on-five, via Natural Stat Trick Holloway is clearly the more productive player, delivering superior offence in a more prominent (two more minutes per game) role. Podkolzin's totals are solid, impressive considering he was a midsummer acquisition by a team willing to give him up for a middle-round selection. It's also true that he has been on Draisaitl's line for over 50 percent of his five-on-five time this season, so those offensive numbers arrived while playing a complementary role. Holloway towers over Podkolzin's production. In fact, Holloway was regarded as a tremendous athlete on his draft day, and the worry surrounded his ability to score in the NHL. It's no longer a worry. Puck IQ separates quality opposition, giving us a chance to not only see the results but also measure them against quality of competition. Against elites, Holloway has played 25 percent of his overall five-on-five minutes against elites (3:30 per game, implying second-line minutes). His goal share (72 percent) and Dangerous Fenwick (50 percent, it's similar to expected goals) indicate his line is a strong one against elites, and has been running luck while also playing well in 2024-25. Advertisement Meanwhile, Podkolzin has been spending 30 percent of his five-on-five time (3:41 per game, also second-line deployment) against the league's best. His goal share (44 percent) is low, and runs counter to his expected share (58 percent Dangerous Fenwick). Podkolzin's line has been unlucky in those minutes, and those numbers should regress as the season reaches its conclusion and the playoffs begin. Podkolzin averages 46 seconds per game on the penalty kill; the Oilers' results in those minutes have been positive compared to other penalty-killing forwards. Holloway spends about 90 seconds per game on the power play and is flourishing. He leads the Blues with 6.7 points per game with the man advantage. On the weekend, Bowman suggested matching both contracts would have forced the team to make deals that would have stripped down the roster in some important places. The gap between Holloway's cap and Podkolzin's this season is around $1.3 million, a manageable sum for a player of Holloway's talent. The reasons for Edmonton allowing Holloway to sign with St. Louis may never be known. It isn't reasonable to suggest that cap room was a deciding issue in this case. Bowman should be credited with finding a capable replacement on short notice and at a low asset cost. Podkolzin aside, the thrust of the Holloway portion of the offer sheet is a clear fail for the Oilers, though. Broberg is playing big minutes for the Blues. Puck IQ has him playing second-pairing this season. Against elites, his Dangerous Fenwick is just over 50 percent, but his goal share (11-1) is a scintillating 91 percent. That includes plenty of good fortune, but Broberg has been present and effective in those minutes. The Blues spent big on Broberg (over $4.5 million AAV), and he was clearly the top target. Management's faith in the player has been repaid handsomely. Advertisement Emberson has been a quality contributor for Edmonton, but at a lower level than Broberg in St. Louis. Looking at Puck IQ's minutes versus elites, Emberson is playing 24 percent of his minutes versus elites. That compares to Broberg's 28 percent. Emberson is third pairing against the league's best, and owns 41 percent goal share and 46 percent Dangerous Fenwick. Broberg is easily the class of this group, with a much wider gap than we see between Holloway and Podkolzin. Broberg is spending 30 seconds a game on the power play and has had some success. He was exceptional in the role with the Bakersfield Condors during his extended AHL time, and that's an area he could grow into as time rolls along. On the penalty kill, Broberg averages more than a minute on a special-teams group that has had its troubles. Emberson's strength with the Oilers is his PK presence. He averages just over two minutes per game on the penalty kill and has delivered strong numbers compared to other Oilers defencemen. It's the single biggest contribution he has made in 2024-25. Emberson's cap hit (under $1 million) is well shy of Broberg's, and Bowman's claim about roster shakeup certainty on matching has some merit in this part of the transaction. The Blues saw a vulnerable organization, took advantage and struck with impressive precision. Broberg was the primary target, Holloway a pleasant bonus. One of the favourite online discussions for Oilers fans is naming the most culpable individual in the lead-up to the offer sheets and eventual trades. The die was cast by December 2023. Daniel Nugent-Bowman's article at The Athletic early that month signaled things had reached a point of no return for Broberg. Ken Holland, general manager at the time, could have dealt the young defenceman and eased any concern about a coming offer sheet. Advertisement Holland once championed Broberg, drafting him as one of his first major moves when arriving in Edmonton. He then proceeded to block the youngster at every available turn. Darnell Nurse was already playing left defence for Edmonton, but Holland acquired Brett Kulak and Mattias Ekholm during the years that followed, effectively leaving Broberg on the outside looking in. Holloway's exit was unnecessary. The club could have matched the money, but chose not to do so. The young winger may have been influenced to sign with St. Louis by the July 1 activity by acting GM Jeff Jackson. Edmonton signed veteran wingers Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson, and re-signed centre Adam Henrique, effectively cutting off NHL jobs that could have fallen to Holloway in a fashion similar to Holland's actions with Broberg's possible job options in the NHL. Bowman chose to let both players go, his recent comments suggesting he believed the team would have to be partially dismantled in order to accommodate the two new contracts for Broberg and Holloway. No matter the reasons, it's not a good look for the organization. The Oilers were blindsided, caught unaware by an innovative and progressive organization. There's a lesson here for Edmonton's management. Their actions this coming summer and in the years ahead will inform fans about how these hard lessons impacted the team. Oilers fans should hope the dual offer sheets and eventual loss of two quality players were effective in changing behaviour. (Photo of Vasily Podkolzin: Danny Wild / Imagn Images)
