The Edmonton Oilers made a savvy move back in August 2024, snagging Vasily Podkolzin from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft. This move is proving to be a steal for the Oilers, as Podkolzin continues to impress on the ice.
Last night, Podkolzin hit a new milestone, netting his 15th goal of the season, all at five-on-five. His speed was on full display as he zipped past two Vegas defenders to score against Adin Hill.
Currently, Podkolzin shares the 37th spot in five-on-five goals with notable names like Mikko Rantanen and Kirill Marchenko. He’s just one goal behind Oilers stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and his five-on-five scoring is nearly identical to Zach Hyman’s.
Let’s take a closer look at the numbers:
| Player | TOI/GP | GF/60 | AF/60 | PTS/60 |
|---|
| Hyman | 15:33 | 1.03 | 0.86 | 1.89 | | Podkolzin| 13:36 | 1.01 | 0.87 | 1.88 |
Podkolzin is in his third full NHL season, having split two seasons between the NHL and AHL. At just 24, his future potential is exciting.
When Hyman was 24, he was in his first full NHL season with the Maple Leafs, and his numbers have only grown since then. While it’s a tall order to expect Podkolzin to match Hyman’s later achievements, he’s certainly ahead of where Hyman was at the same age.
Oilers GM Stan Bowman had high hopes for Podkolzin when they brought him on board, expecting a hardworking winger with physicality. Bowman notes, “Pods has fulfilled those expectations and become a very valuable player for us. His straightforward approach and competitiveness have elevated his importance on the team.”
Bowman appreciates Podkolzin’s simple, effective style of play, which is crucial as the season intensifies. He doesn’t go for flashy plays but focuses on advancing the puck and maintaining pressure, making him a key asset in tight games.
Head coach Kris Knoblauch has shown great trust in Podkolzin, who ranks sixth in five-on-five minutes among Oilers and third among forwards. Despite some players missing time, Podkolzin’s consistency and offensive development have made him a reliable choice for Knoblauch.
Podkolzin’s value shines in the salary-cap era, where teams need players to outperform their contracts. He’s among a select group of players with a $1-million AAV or less who have scored 15 goals at five-on-five this season.
Looking ahead, Podkolzin could potentially fill Hyman’s role as a net-front presence on the power play. For now, the trade to acquire him stands out as one of the Oilers' best moves, given his growing impact and the minimal cost.