With the type of player Podkolzin is, I'm not sure if they'd go that route. He's gonna be a depth player for a bit and it might be smart to try to get his next contract on the cheap before he finds his game. If I were a GM that's what I'd do.
Offensively I don't think he's there yet, so if you can sign him for under 3 mill it'll open up our window as a team.