Quote:
Originally Posted by Heavy Jack
Podkolzin is a strange one, 79 games 2 years ago and a solid rookie showing and then followed by the dreaded sophomore slump of which he’s seemingly been unable to overcome as he hasn’t been recalled since. What’s the story here Blaster?
He is only 22 and bringing in him along with Kuzmenko and a 1st seems like pretty good value for an underwhelming Lindy.
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Same thing as Nils Hoglander. He got rushed to the NHL by a desperate organization. Like Nils, his offensive ability was being stunted by being shoved into a bottom six grinder role. This after his development was already stunted by ####ty Russian pettiness who refused to develop him as they knew he was going to the NHL after his contract ended.
Much like Hoglander, their goal this year is to keep him in the AHL for the next year and a half. Let him develop his offensive skills in a North American game without the pressure of playing in the NHL bottom six. He started the season on a torrid pace and then took a high dirty hit that landed him in the hospital and on IR. After coming back, the ramp up has been a bit slower and he's just now starting to get back to where he started the year.
I would prefer NOT to move Podkolzin. I think he's the guy teams will ask for though.