More

    Canucks: Passing on Boldy makes Podkolzin’s struggles stand out Fitnessnacks

    - Advertisement -

    [ad_1]

    Breadcrumb Trail Links

    Boldy was a wise 12th overall NHL Draft selection by the Wild in 2019. The jury is still out on Podkolzin, who went 10th that year to the Canucks

    Get the latest from Ben Kuzma straight to your inbox Sign Up

    Published Jul 15, 2024  •  4 minute read

    You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

    alt textCanucks winger Vasily Podkolzin hounds Kings defenceman Brandt Clarke during a March 5 encounter in Los Angeles. Photo by Kyusung Gong /AP

    Article content

    Projecting success for NHL draft prospects is like reading a racing form.

    Advertisement 2

    This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

    THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

    • Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.
    • Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.
    • The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
    • Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
    • Support local journalism.

    SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

    Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

    • Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.
    • Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.
    • The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
    • Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.
    • Support local journalism.

    REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

    Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

    • Access articles from across Canada with one account.
    • Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
    • Enjoy additional articles per month.
    • Get email updates from your favourite authors.

    Sign In or Create an Account

    or

    Article content

    Before placing a bet, you ponder whether a promising thoroughbred has a credible performance portfolio, can break smartly from the gate, won’t get lost in the pack, and knows how to charge when it matters most.

    It’s why favourites usually find the winner’s circle or, occasionally, leave bettors flummoxed.

    No team is immune from the shock of a potential franchise player turning into a project — especially when passing on another who becomes more prominent.

    Scouts also reason if a player doesn’t log 200 career games in The Show, it’s considered a blow. Which brings us to wingers Matt Boldy and Vasily Podkolzin.

    alt text Matt Boldy celebrates his power-play goal and first career hat-trick on Feb. 14, 2022. Photo by David Berding /Getty Images

    Boldy was a wise 12th overall selection by the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Draft. However, the jury is still out on Podkolzin, who went 10th overall to the Vancouver Canucks.

    Canucks Report Banner

    Canucks Report

    Thanks for signing up!

    Article content

    Advertisement 3

    This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

    Article content

    In 215 games, Boldy has amassed 175 points (76-99) — including a career-high 69 (29-40) this season — and as a top-six roster staple, he has 60 goals in the past two campaigns. It’s why the 6-foot-2, 201-pound product of the U.S. National Team Development program was locked up in January with a seven-year, $49-million US extension.

    Podkolzin, 23, was granted a two-year, we’re-not-sure-yet, extension in April at $1 million per season. He projects as a fourth-line left winger, or extra forward, and is waiver eligible. No option of shifting between Abbotsford and Vancouver, so the incentive is obvious.

    “We are happy with how hard Vasily has worked to try and become a more consistent player,” said Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin. “While there is still room for him to grow, starting the year in Abbotsford and working his way back up shows the type of commitment and dedication we want.”

    Advertisement 4

    This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

    Article content

    The Canucks are in a go-for-it window and need more from Podkolzin than just the promise of progress. He has teased at effectiveness and his 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame is what head coach Rick Tocchet craves in wingers.

    He has called Podkolzin a moose and a bull, but needs to see predictability. His 139 NHL games have produced 35 points (18-17) and gaps with delayed reactions to plays.

    “He works so hard, but there are just things in his game with time and space, and he doesn’t move his feet,” assessed Tocchet. “He doesn’t see the play. It’s like chess. You have to think two steps before you make the play.”

    Run this by Podkolzin and you hear the desire. The amiable winger has grown up fast and is a husband and father and provider. Appearing in his first two NHL playoffs games this season helps.

    Advertisement 5

    This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

    Article content

    “This is pretty awesome,” he said. “It’s my third year here and my first playoff game was a big point for me and my family. So many guys have helped me get to this point.”

    So, how did opposing wingers get to this place?

    alt text Rookie Vasily Podkolzin celebrates his goal against the Kraken on Feb. 21, 2022. Photo by Darryl Dyck /THE CANADIAN PRESS files

    After all, Boldy and Podkolzin broke from the gate with solid NHL rookie seasons — 26 points (14-12) in 79 games for Podkolzin and 39 points (15-24) for Boldy — but then came a significant shift.

    Whether it was Boldy’s schooling in the demanding with the USNTDP, two years at the high-profile Boston University program, or an abundance of self-confidence, he carried a certain swagger on to the ice. He had his wayward moments, but not very many.

    Boldy has always been bold and a bit brash. He amassed 43 points (17-26) in 28 games on a high-octane USNTDP roster in 2018-19. And at the under-18 world championship he had a dozen points (3-9) in seven games to prove he could thrive among elite draft talent.

    Advertisement 6

    This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

    Article content

    “I can play power forward with a lot of skill and make plays while still protecting the puck,” Boldy told this reporter before the 2019 draft, in which I was convinced he was going 10th overall. “It’s something a lot of guys can’t really do that well.

    “Growing up, I always had really good hands and it’s something I’ve worked on a lot and have had a lot of fun with.

    “It’s doing things defencemen really don’t expect. I like to chip pucks to myself and get them in the air, and a lot of defencemen struggle with being able to knock them down or aren’t used to seeing that. It kind of confuses them.”

    There’s nothing confusing about Podkolzin.

    After two seasons in Russia, his NHL rookie season took off when Travis Green was replaced as bench boss after 25 games (8-15-0-2) by the affable Bruce Boudreau. His encouraging directive was simple. Play to your strengths and the other stuff will come.

    Advertisement 7

    This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

    Article content

    However, Podkolzin struggled through 39 outings the following season in failing to grasp a total game and had but seven points (4-3) before being sent to Abbotsford, where he did the work to earn another shot and plenty of plaudits.

    Podkolzin’s 18 points (7-11) in 28 games in the AHL this season were a result of addressing adversity and doing something about it.

    “The first two weeks were really hard,” he recalled. “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 remember who you are and start appreciating.”

    Now he has to apply all that with heightened urgency.

    bkuzma@postmedia.com

    Recommended from Editorial

    1. Vancouver Canucks forward prospect Arshdeep Bains plays in the Young Stars tournament in Penticton last year. This year, the Canucks will hold their training camp in Penticton too, immediately following the Young Stars tournament.

      Vancouver Canucks holding training camp in Penticton Sept. 19-22

    2. Vancouver Canucks Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser with coach Rick Tocchet at team practice Saturday, March 2, 2024.

      Canucks’ hunt for a practice facility has momentum again: Rutherford

    Article content

    Share this article in your social network

    [ad_2]

    Source link

    Fitnessnacks – #Canucks #Passing #Boldy #Podkolzins #struggles #stand
    Courtesy : https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/canucks-passing-on-productive-matt-boldy-makes-vasily-podklozins-struggles-stand-out

    - Advertisement -

    Related articles

    Share article

    Latest articles

    Submit your Notre Dame mailbag questions after the loss to Northern Illinois Fitnessnacks

    What's on your mind after Notre Dame lost to Northern Illinois as a four-touchdown favorite? Source link Fitnessnacks - #Submit #Notre #Dame #mailbag...

    White Bean Hummus – Budget Bytes Fitnessnacks

    My family is a hummus family, through and through. My husband, stepdaughter, and I love to make White Bean Hummus, cut up a...

    With TV Drug Ads, What You See Is Not Necessarily What You Get – Fitnessnacks

    Triumphant music plays as cancer patients go camping, do some gardening, and watch fireworks in ads for Opdivo+Yervoy, a combination of immunotherapies to...

    Compound Exercises: Your Key to Mass & Strength Gain – Fitnessnacks

    To gain muscle and strength as quickly as possible, it’s not enough to just do any type of exercises—you have to do the...

    Nurses, residents confront rampant violence in dementia care facilities – Press Enterprise Fitnessnacks

    Violent altercations between residents in long-term care facilities are alarmingly common, research shows. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login...

    Trend

    Subscribe to stay updated.