Vancouver Canucks sign Vasily Podkolzin to two-year contract extension
By Zach Laing
8 days agoVasily Podkolzin isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, as on Thursday, the Vancouver Canucks announced they re-signed the winger to a two-year extension.
Podkolzin will reportedly earn $1-million per year on the deal.
“We are happy with how hard Vasily has worked on his game to try and become a more consistent player,” Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement. “While there is still room for him to grow, starting the year in Abbotsford and working his way back up to Vancouver shows the type of commitment and dedication we want in all our players.
“Our group looks to forward to helping Vasily continue to improve and get better.”
Drafted by the team 10th overall in the 2019 draft, the 22-year-old has split the season between the AHL and NHL. While he scored just two assists in 18 games in the NHL, his AHL game has fared much better scoring 15 goals and 28 points in 44 games. Since arriving in North America in 2021, Podkolzin has split time between the AHL and NHL, scoring 22 goals and 46 points in 72 AHL games, and 18 goals and 35 points in 136 NHL games.
At even-strength this season, Podkolzin has provided offence at a one percent rate above league average, and defence at a one percent rate below league average. The numbers, according to hockeyviz.com, have him contributing at the rate of a third-line player — virtually exactly what he has been for the club this season.
Podkolzin, as Allvin mentioned above, started the season in the American League this year, earning his recall to the big club in early March.
Earlier this week, CanucksArmy’s Stephen Roget opined that depth players, like Podkolzin, will need to find another level in the playoffs for the club to have success:
Then there are those depth pieces who have never really started contributing, at least as of yet. Podkolzin seems to have found himself a semi-permanent spot in the lineup, and hasn’t looked out of place. But he’s yet to score this season, and has only managed two assists in 17 games. Back in 2021/22, Podkolzin managed 14 goals and 12 assists for 26 points as a rookie. If he can find any of that offence in time for the playoffs, it will be a timely addition indeed.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.
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