LATEST | Tocchet points out what Vasily Podkolzin needs to adjust to unlock his full potential

PUBLICATION

Felip Gosselin
July 12, 2023 (5:28 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

Patrik Allvin and the Canucks have taken big steps in retooling since they announced this team needed �'major surgery'.

The next thing in line for this team would be the emergence of some of their up-and-coming players, such as Nils Hoglander and Vasily Podkolzin. The team's head coach, Rick Tocchet, gave interviews yesterday and pointed out precisely what needed to happen with the team's 2019 1st Rounder Vasily Podkolzin:

�' Podzy's just got to let it hang. He's just got to play almost a little reckless. I think when he gets in trouble, he receives the puck, and then he makes his decision. It seems like he's getting it, and he just wants to, you know, make that safe play, whether it's a chip up the boards when sometimes nobody's on you. That's the time to make a play or move your feet.»

Podkolzin completed his second full season on North-American soil. While he has yet to show the reason why he was the 10th overall selection in 2019, Tocchet was quite confident in the young Russian's improvements.

Tocchet recognized the young man's hard work during the summer as he looked lean and shredded when they met at the team's development camp. The battle for a spot on the team's wings will be at its harshest with the Canucks' overload at that position; with his preparation, he could be the training camp's surprise.

Podkolzin participated in 39 NHL games this season, collecting 7 points. Are we about to witness a breakout year from the skilled Russian?