Canucks' latest acquisition may have sealed Vasily Podkolzin's fate in Vancouver
Vancouver Canucks forward Vasily Podkolzin could be a potential trade chip for Patrik Allvin and the management group before the 2024-25 season begins.
As the off-season continues, the Vancouver Canucks are still looking for ways to improve their roster for the 2024-25 campaign, and there's no question that Patrik Allvin would like to add a top-four defenceman, but that may be tough.
So far this month, Patrik Allvin has made a handful of signings to help their forward group, bringing in Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, Kiefer Sherwood, and, most recently, Daniel Sprong.
With these off-season additions, the Canucks could look to trade Vasily Podkolzin this summer because as of right now, he'll likely be playing in the American Hockey League to start the 2024-25 campaign. Playing in the AHL certainly isn't ideal for Vasily Podkolzin, and it's something that he likely doesn't want either, as he's searching for minutes in the NHL.
Moving Vasily Podkolzin is likely something that Patrik Allvin has thought about in the past, and he could be used as a trade chip to help bring a top-four defenceman to Vancouver if the Canucks decide to go that route, rather than signing a free agent such as Tyson Barrie for example.
The 23-year-old former first-round pick spent the majority of the 2023-24 campaign in the AHL with Abbotsford, where he scored 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists), played 15 penalty minutes, and had an even rating. He also skated in 19 games for Vancouver, registering two assists, eight penalty minutes, and a minus-four.
While it's not a foregone conclusion that the Vancouver Canucks will trade Vasily Podkolzin, it's something they should consider if he's going to be AHL-bound yet again this fall and fails to earn a roster spot in the NHL out of training camp. Podkolzin has plenty of talent and potential, but it may be tough for him to crack the opening night roster this fall, and if the Canucks can move him in a deal that will help them obtain a pivotal piece to help them this coming season, it wouldn't be surprising to see him dealt.
Do you think the Canucks will trade Vasily Podkolzin before the start of the 2024-25 season? Let us know what you think in the poll below!
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Canucks will trade Vasily Podkolzin before the start of the 2024-25 season? | ||
| Yes | 283 | 42.9 % |
| No | 376 | 57.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
