Oilers insider reveals behind the scenes story on Vasily Podkolzin trade
Photo credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
In a recent article, Oilers' GM Stan Bowman shared about how Vasily Podkolzin came into his radar, to eventually become an Edmonton Oiler.
I suppose when you've been around the league for more than two decades, you hear things about players that come across your desk. And sometimes you're fortunate enough to have them play on your team.
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It seems that both Rick Pracy, Bowman's Director of Amateur Scouting, and Jeremy Colliton, Bowman's head coach in Chicago, had scouted Vadsily Podkolzin extensively and knew the kind of player they were getting in Edmonton.
«Colliton said, 'I was happy that they didn't keep him [Podkolzin] in Vancouver and they sent him to me.' And I'm like, 'Well, what's the issue there?', Stan Bowman said.
«Colliton said, 'I don't really know. I just know that I love him. He's such a hard worker. He's probably not going to be a big scorer'
«Colliton said, 'I don't really know. I just know that I love him. He's such a hard worker. He's probably not going to be a big scorer'
Well, it turns out that Vasily isn't a big scorer; but he brings a whole lot more to the table, intangibles that cannot be measured, but impact a game as much as points.
Despite Podlolzin's 14-goals in his rookie season with Vancouver, Pracy loved him as an amateur, and Colliton saw a useful pro that could help a team win games.
Now, Vasily is leading on the forecheck, winning pucks on the boards and in the corners, providing defensive coverage, and popping-in the occasional goal as Draisaitl's wingman.
He's been a strong complementary forward on Draisaitl's line, providing a physical, two-way presence, which Leon appreciates and respects.
"He just moulded his game into being a super effective two-way player that guys love playing with. I certainly do," Draisaitl said.
"I don't think you want him to change. I don't want him to change. I want him to be this...there's more offensively - you can see it. Even this year to last year, he's got a lot more puck touches, a lot more carrying the puck through the neutral zone."
"I don't think you want him to change. I don't want him to change. I want him to be this...there's more offensively - you can see it. Even this year to last year, he's got a lot more puck touches, a lot more carrying the puck through the neutral zone."
We may very well see Vasily score more goals. He is currently on pace for 17 with his six goals thus far.
With everything else he brings to the table, however, that's a win-win for Stan Bowman and his team.
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