Some prospects are thriving while others are dealing with mid-season injuries.

The Vancouver Canucks have plenty of prospects who are playing in a variety of different leagues around the world.

Here’s the latest on what they are up to and what I’m hearing about them.

The teenage phenom is beginning to play with a lot of confidence in the KHL. After a three-game point streak that saw him pot two goals and one assist, Podkolzin followed that up by playing 18:31 on Saturday night against Spartak.

He appears to have turned a corner with the SKA organization as they are realizing that he can be a very effective player for the team. He has been beginning each game on the fourth line but is now seeing time on the second power play unit and is also killing penalties.

Podkolzin was just selected to Russia’s national team for the Swedish games. This could mean that the World Championships are going to happen this year even though Jim Benning has said that he would be shocked if the tournament takes place.

If Podkolzin is selected to play in the World Championships, there will be no way for him to play in the regular season for the Canucks as he would not be able to join the team until his contract is up on June 6th. Many believe that the World Championships will be cancelled and then Podkolzin will be able to sign with the Canucks much earlier and be in the lineup this season.

Nothing is set in stone just yet for his arrival and it is an ongoing situation that we will keep you updated with.

The 2020 sixth-round pick whose play has demanded our attention is currently nursing an undisclosed injury.

Zlodeyev told me that he is expecting to make his KHL debut soon and was supposed to play in the KHL prior to his injury back in December.

If he was able to hop into the KHL this season and get some experience as an 18-year-old, it would be a huge boost in his development. Zlodeyev is a two-way centre who is a tenacious defender and has the hands to be creative in the offensive zone. He will be a key piece on Russia’s 2022 World Junior Championship team and Canucks fans will see his skill on full display at that U20 best on best tournament next December.

After some COVID cancellations, McDonough will be back in action this coming Tuesday as Northeastern returns to play. I spoke with McDonough who was not feeling great about the cancellations. He and his teammates have been locked away in their dorm rooms and following the rules so that their team can get through this strange season.

McDonough has three goals and five assists in 11 games this season.

After a strong WJC performance, Costmar has returned to the SHL to continue playing with Linkoping. He has one goal in 22 SHL games this season.

Costmar is currently nursing a shoulder injury that won’t have him returning to the lineup anytime soon but he is confident in the doctors and the rehab program that they have him on to return to the lineup.

After a tumultuous start to his hockey season, Persson has found a home in the third division of Swedish hockey, the HockeyEttan. He is playing with lower-level players and believes that he is ready to take the step up to the SHL.

Persson has five points in five games in the HockeyEttan and has suited up for four SHL games with zero ice time in each of those games.

It is unknown currently if he will be coming over to the WHL to play with the Kamloops Blazers. He was supposed to join the team but COVID-19 has thrown a wrench into the WHL situation. Persson wants to get over to North America to play hockey and is eligible to join the Blazers next year if this season doesn’t work out. The good news is that he is practicing with the SHL team and getting game experience in the HockeyEttan.

Just one month ago, Persson had nowhere to play after the Swedish J20 leagues were cancelled due to COVID concerns.

There’s a quick prospects report from what I’ve heard over the past week or so. Is there a player you would like to hear more about?
Let me know in the comments and I’ll try to get some more information.