Vancouver Canucks recall Vasily Podkolzin from AHL Abbotsford

Well, that didn’t take long.

The Vancouver Canucks have recalled forward Vasily Podkolzin from the AHL’s Abbotsford Canucks. General manager Patrik Allvin made the announcement late Thursday morning ahead of the team’s matchup in Vegas against the Golden Knights.

Of course, the team sent Podkolzin down to Abbotsford just yesterday, but Postmedia’s Patrick Johnston quickly reported that it was just a paper transaction made to ensure Podkolzin is eligible for the Calder Cup Playoffs.

The Canucks first called up Podkolzin last week on the heels of sending Arshdeep Bains down to the AHL after a five-game NHL stint. Podkolzin has appeared in two NHL games so far this season since his call up, and despite going pointless, he’s looked good and will continue to build off of some strong performances. All signs point to Podkolzin slotting into the Canucks’ lineup against Vegas this evening, as he didn’t play in Abbotsford’s game on Wednesday.

The Canucks originally selected Podkolzin with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. Podkolzin has 15 goals and 28 points in 44 American Hockey League games with the Abbotsford Canucks this season. He has previously skated in 118 NHL games during his young career.

The 6’1″ winger spent the first two seasons immediately after his draft year with SKA St. Petersburg in the Kontinental Hockey League. Podkolzin collected 11 points in 35 games with the club in the 2020-21 season; in the 2021 playoffs with SKA, he racked up six goals and 11 points in just 16 contests.

Podkolzin arrived in North America ahead of the 2021-22 season and quickly established himself as an NHL regular, amassing 14 goals and 26 points in 79 games that year. But he fell out of favour with the team in 2022-23, managing just seven points in 39 NHL games and ultimately being demoted to the AHL.