NHL.com has closely followed the rookie race for the Calder Trophy, the league’s best start, throughout the regular season. In this episode we discuss the Russian newcomer – Vancouver forward Vasily Podkolzin.
Russian rookies are unlikely to fight for the Calder Trophy this season – in the race for the best rookies in the league Lucas raymond of “Detroit” (10 + 14 = 24), but it is already outdated Trevor Zegras of “Anaheim” (6 + 12 = 22), marked by an ingenious transfer through the door to a teammate Sonni Milanowho probably scored the goal of the year. When a newcomer is celebrated with such a brilliant moment, journalists who choose the Calder Trophy winner will certainly remember it.
It will also be difficult to go through Moritz Seider of Detroit (3 + 16 = 19), because he is a defender, and even effective, very promising and looks like the young Niklas Lidstrem … In this context, there is no no evidence. Russian favorites. There are only ten – Russian newcomers to the NHL. Two goalkeepers – Daniil Tarasov and Ivan Prosvetov, who played four games for Columbus and Arizona for two. Two defenders – Daniil Miromanov and Artemy Knyazev, who played four games for Vegas and San Jose for two.
With this in mind, the top scorer is the Vancouver forward. Vasily Podkolzin, who played most of the Russian newcomers (27 matches), that is to say only missed two meetings, the “Canucks”. He scored the most among Russian debutants (5) and scored the most points (5 + 2 = 7). So there is already cause to be proud.
Video: KBD-VAN: Podkolzin didn’t give Merzlikin a chance
It’s not about the Calder Trophy, but about how a 20-year-old guy turned down a lucrative offer from SKA and left his comfort zone to challenge himself – to try his hand in a new country, in completely different hockey. And the fact that Vasily immediately showed up in training camp remained central to the NHL club – already his significant victory.
Until recently, “Vancouver” was not very stable, missing a lot of goals, not keeping the result, sank to the bottom of the standings. But that all changed when the Canucks said goodbye to head coach Travis Green and hired Bruce Boudreau, known for his work with Alexander Ovechkin in Washington, DC, when young Ovi spent his most productive seasons in the NHL.
In fact, Boudreau would come to Moscow to work at the headquarters of the Canadian national team at the Russian stage of the Eurotour and at the Spengler Cup in Switzerland. But his plans have changed, and Bruce himself is unlikely to be upset because of it.
Green’s last game was on Dec. 4, when Vancouver kicked off their home streak with a 1-4 loss to Pittsburgh. Podkolzin scored the only goal of the game, when in the 27th minute he deftly knocked out a thrown puck, which flew into the net through the “Pence” player. Vasily’s job in the episode was for him to go to the patch and force a fight, interfering with the other goalie. He handled it perfectly, but overall he was given 12.53 hours of playing time for the game, mostly of which 1h02. In equal compositions, Podkolzin appeared in the center with Bo Horvat and Conor Garland, whom he replaced Tanner pearson.
A day later, at home against the “Los Angeles”, Boudreau has already joined the case. It ended with the fact that “Vancouver” won a landslide victory (4-0) and the goalkeeper Thatcher Demko makes a cookie, reflecting 31 hits. Now, the combination of “Canucks” trebles in even line-ups didn’t change much during the game. Podkolzin played with center Elias Pettersson and the same Garland, and their top three weren’t particularly inferior to their opponents in terms of dangerous moments (8-9). At the same time, Vasily scored an assist when Garland scored the second puck. And his playing time dropped to 15:54, and the attacker started to come out in the Majority First Brigade (2:54) and even flashed in the minority (0:17).
Another day in Vancouver, “Boston” was beaten (2: 1B). Podkolzin didn’t score any points, but played even more (16:24), coming out again in the majority (2:14) and in the minority (1:24). Moreover, the three of Vasily have not changed.
A day later, “Vancouver” at home again won the penalty shoot-out “Winnipeg” (4: 3 B). Podkolzin – again without glasses, but the utility is more-2. Playing time has dropped slightly (13:44), but again there is a majority (0:36) and a minority (0:47). And again Vasily has three unchanged.
And a day later, the Canucks beat the very strong Caroline at home (2: 1). Podkolzin plays 15:39 with a majority (0:10) and a minority (0:29). And in partners he has the same forwards – Pettersson and Garland.
That is to say, what did Boudreau, who won four out of four games, do? By the way, this is the coolest coaching debut in Canucks history. He stopped shaking the team, choosing the principle “the winning line-up does not change”. Podkolzin partners are stable, and the newcomer himself gains experience in completely different situations, progresses rapidly. He uses his size, goes to the patch. Apply hits, make blocks, and increase skills in your 20s.
Fast, young, avant-garde. When asked about the odds of winning the Calder Trophy, Podkolzin dodges the answer. And he says he has to mature first, do something with Vancouver, then think about individual awards.
But at least in Boudreau’s first games in “Vancouver” it’s clear Vasily has found his coach. Now he has become the first link. And while we don’t expect Podkolzin to perform the same as young Ovechkin, we understand full well that Bruce is giving him a good chance to prove himself in the NHL.
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