Canucks’ Podkolzin and Zadorov: Finding Their Roles in Vancouver

The Vancouver Canucks are having a great season 2023-24. Two of the team’s players, recently added to the lineup, are looking forward to the team’s first foray into the playoffs in a few seasons. They are forward Vasily Podkolzin and defenseman Nikita Zadorov.

Podkolzin Believes He Can Make a Playoff Difference

Since his comeback from a stint in the AHL, the Canucks’ Vasily Podkolzin’s confidence seems to be growing with each passing game. Despite just two assists in 13 games, he feels good about his game. He’s also coming to relish and understand his role on the third line. Certainly, he aspires to do bigger things in the NHL. Yet, he’s making an impact with 48 hits, which is the second-highest on the team since his return.

Podkolzin believes his best game is yet to come with the Canucks. In his last season in Russia’s KHL, he was often a healthy scratch during the regular season. However, he was one of his team’s leading scorers during the playoffs. He’s drawing on that experience in Russia’s playoffs to believe he can make a difference in Vancouver’s playoff run.

Zadorov Isn’t Playing as Much as He’d Like Right Now

On the other hand, Nikita Zadorov is facing load management issues. Despite his discontent with limited playing time, he understands the coaching staff’s decision. He didn’t make it through the first period in the last game. Partly due to a questionable penalty call, he was tossed from the game. In itself, that’s a bit of load management. However, he’s eager to prove himself and stay in the lineup.