Just a couple of years ago, Vasily Podkolzin looked like he might be heading down the well-worn path of NHL first-rounders who never quite found their footing. Drafted 10th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 2019, the Russian winger came into the league with all the tools you want in a modern power forward - size, speed, skill, and a physical edge.
On paper, he looked like a surefire top-six contributor. But hockey isn’t played on paper.
After a promising rookie campaign in 2021-22, things started to unravel. Podkolzin struggled to stick in Vancouver’s lineup, eventually spending more time in the AHL with Abbotsford than on NHL ice.
For a player once viewed as a cornerstone piece, it was a tough fall. Confidence, opportunity, and consistency - all of it seemed to be slipping away.
But hockey careers are rarely linear, and sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery.
That change came in August 2024, when the Edmonton Oilers quietly acquired Podkolzin for a 2025 fourth-round pick - a move that raised eyebrows at the time. Here was a team with Stanley Cup aspirations taking a flyer on a player who hadn’t cracked double-digit points in a season since his rookie year. The Oilers weren’t just taking a chance on a reclamation project; they were betting that Podkolzin still had untapped potential.
And so far, that bet is paying off.
Last season, Podkolzin played all 82 games for Edmonton - a huge step forward in itself - and posted his best numbers since his rookie year: eight goals, 16 assists, and 24 points. Those aren’t eye-popping stats, but they’re the kind of steady production you want from a middle-six winger who’s learning how to thrive in a defined role. He’s not the top-line star many projected back in 2019, but he’s become a reliable contributor - and more importantly, a player the Oilers can trust.
His most frequent linemate? None other than Leon Draisaitl.
That kind of pairing doesn’t happen by accident. Draisaitl praised Podkolzin’s game during training camp, and it’s easy to see why.
Podkolzin brings a north-south style that complements Draisaitl’s elite vision and playmaking. He’s not just riding shotgun - he’s doing the little things that make the line work: forechecking, puck retrieval, creating space.
Now in his age-24 season, Podkolzin is showing signs of taking another step. Through 26 games this year, he’s already got four goals and six assists - on pace for a career-high 31 points.
That kind of progression matters. It’s not just about the raw numbers, but the trajectory.
He’s trending up at a time when the Oilers need depth scoring more than ever.
Edmonton clearly sees the value in what Podkolzin brings. Just before the season began, they locked him up with a three-year deal worth $2.95 million annually.
That’s not just a vote of confidence - it’s a signal that the organization believes he’s part of the long-term puzzle. For a team with cap constraints and a top-heavy roster, getting meaningful contributions from players like Podkolzin is essential.
The Oilers have had their struggles this season - inconsistency, defensive lapses, and questions about depth have all surfaced. But amid the ups and downs, Podkolzin has emerged as a bright spot. He’s a reminder that development doesn’t always follow a straight line, and that sometimes, the right fit can unlock a player’s potential.
For Podkolzin, Edmonton has been that fit. And for the Oilers, he’s turning into exactly the kind of player they hoped he could be - maybe not a star, but a steady, evolving piece of a team with championship ambitions.