Vasily Podkolzin has wasted no time making himself useful for the Edmonton Oilers.
Through seven games, the Oilers have dropped only one in regulation despite early injury issues, and Podkolzin has been right in the middle of the fast start. He’s produced at a level that stands out even on a roster loaded with hot hands, with Evan Bouchard, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl drawing most of the spotlight. Podkolzin, though, has been doing his damage in a quieter way - and it’s adding up fast.
The biggest reason for the surge starts at the top of the lineup. McDavid and Draisaitl have spent most of Edmonton’s six games together, and Podkolzin’s presence on their left side has helped make the arrangement work.
His game fits the stars. He brings a power-forward edge, drives hard to the net, and keeps possessions alive around the offensive zone.
That line has posted a 71.9 expected goals percentage in 67.5 minutes together through the first six games. It has also been strong defensively, allowing just 1.6 expected goals when on the ice together.
Podkolzin has had a role in both ends of that success. He has been relentless going to the net on rushes and has shown a knack for working the puck around the zone with his linemates.
The results have followed: a team-leading seven goals and nine points in seven games.
His value isn’t limited to offense, either. Podkolzin has been bringing a committed defensive game to match the production. That has long been part of his profile, but this season he’s taken it to another level while giving Edmonton a more complete presence in key situations.
He leads the Oilers with 27 hits through six games, just as he did last season, and he’s been all over the puck. He has only two giveaways through his first six games, while also sitting at a goals above expected of 3 and an on-ice goal differential of 14, both of which rank inside the team’s top five.
The veteran has sharpened every part of his game, and the early returns have been obvious. A balanced approach is going to matter if he wants to keep earning chances and help the Oilers stay in the mix.
Mike Babcock has clearly noticed. Edmonton’s new head coach has shown a great deal of trust in Podkolzin, elevating him to the top power-play unit with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman out injured. Even with those absences, the Oilers’ power play has stayed inside the top 10 leaguewide a few weeks into the season.
Podkolzin has made that assignment count, collecting three goals and four points on the power play while working down low in the same areas Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman often handle. He’s also been out there in the closing minutes of tight games, helping protect Edmonton’s end and looking for an insurance marker.
The ice time tells the story, too. Podkolzin has been skating more than 18 minutes a night to start the season, and his high-water mark came in Saturday’s 3-1 win over the San Jose Sharks.
Babcock has plenty to like. Podkolzin has earned every bit of that trust.
In Other News...
Oilers Finally Get Help Back As One Lineup Question Looms
The Oilers are finally getting some reinforcements back into the fold, with Zach Hyman, Colton Dach and Jake Walman all set to rejoin the lineup for the upcoming game against Utah. Its a welcome development for a team that has been juggling injuries and trying to keep the roster afloat while key pieces were missing.
Edmonton is still not close to being fully healthy, but the next stretch could bring even more relief. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is nearing his season debut, and Jason Dickinson is expected back soon after, giving the club a chance to steady its lines and sort out a lineup picture that has been in flux for weeks. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Trade Radar Just Raised One Big Penguins Deadline Question
The Penguins have made it clear they are willing to move veteran pieces if it helps open the door for younger players, and that has put a familiar deadline name back on Edmontons radar. Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, Erik Karlsson and even Evgeni Malkin have all been mentioned as possible trade candidates, but from the Oilers side the fit question is really about which of those players best complements a contender already built around elite center depth.
Rust is the name drawing the most interest for a reason, with his pace and puck pursuit making him a natural fit in a top-six role alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. Any serious pursuit would almost certainly have to come with meaningful futures attached, though, and the frameworks floating around center on draft picks and prospects rather than a simple rental-style swap. No deal is done yet, but the line between speculative deadline chatter and real trade pressure is starting to look thinner. [Read more 🡒]
Tristan Jarry Is Giving The Oilers A Goalie Decision To Make
Tristan Jarry has already forced his way into the early-season conversation for the Oilers after getting two starts in 2026-27. He opened with a 19-save effort against the San Jose Sharks, then followed it up with another solid outing against the Utah Mammoth as Edmonton continues to sort through a position that has too often been a problem area for this team.
The latest start only added to the sense that the Oilers have options now, which is a very different place for this group to be. Jarry did allow two goals against Utah, but he still came up with timely stops and helped Edmonton come away with the win, leaving the coaching staff with a real decision to make as multiple goalies are performing well. [Read more 🡒]