Canucks issue a statement: Vasily Podkolzin signs an extension

The Vancouver Canucks have signed forward Vasili Podkolzin to a two-year contract extension. Podkolzin, 22, recorded just two assists in 18 games with the Canucks this season, in addition to 28 points in 44 games with the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks.

Podkolzin was the 10th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, and recorded a career-best 26 points as a rookie in 2021-22, but has failed to find his footing with the big club since. His role has been overtaken by fellow young players such as Nils Hoglander and Dakota Joshua.

The Moscow-born forward averages just over 10 minutes of ice time per game, and has nearly tripled his hit production compared to last season as he's seen his role evolve. Surely, expectations for the young player may have been higher entering the season, but he has managed to earn himself a two-year extension in Vancouver.

He has 35 career points across 136 NHL games.