Canucks fans regretting trade with Edmonton Oilers after Draisaitl statement
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers RAW
Following a good regular season, and an even better post-season with the Oilers, the Vancouver Canucks may just be regretting having traded away Vasily Podkolzin, especially after reading Leon Draisaitl's recent assessment of the Russian forward.
Vancouver GM Patrick Allvin traded Podkolzin to Edmonton so as not to lose him to the waiver-wire in August, 2024. In turn, Canucks received a 2025 4th-round pick, which was subsequently returned to Vancouver in the Evander Kane deal.
Leon Draisaitl praises young forward's work ethic and calls calls him a 'great player'.
"Podzy does a lot of things that a lot of people who don't really understand hockey, they don't see it. He does a lot of work for me and it lets me have a lot of time with the puck and sets me up with great situations where I lack that in my game. He does a lot of great things for me personally and I really, really love playing with him. He's a great player. He's really, really underrated with the puck, really underrated hockey sense, great hockey mind.
I think there's a lot more offence, a lot more finish. Hopefully it'll come out. But he's a player that doesn't need to score to be really, really valuable and effective."
I think there's a lot more offence, a lot more finish. Hopefully it'll come out. But he's a player that doesn't need to score to be really, really valuable and effective."
During the regular season last year, Vasily scored 8G and 16A in 82 games with Edmonton, his best production since his rookie year with Vancouver. But it was during the playoffs where his potential was seen, scoring 3G and 7A in 22 games played in only 11:02 of TOI.
"His work ethic is as good as I've seen in 12 years in this league," Draisaitl said. "He's the ultimate professional. He would do anything for our group, he blocks shots, he does all the little things right. Those are the guys you want to see get rewarded more and I think there's a lot more for him offensively."
The 24-year old Podkolzin's contract expires at the end of next season, and he will likely be extended, in addition to getting a requisite raise. He currently earns a cap hit of $1M.
Placed in the right role in the top-6, Vasily Podkolzin could conceivably score 15-20 goals, and an additional 20-25 assists, which could see him earn around a $3M AAV on his next deal.
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