Edmonton Oilers
Podkolzin Is Outworking Everyone — And a Career Year Might Be Coming
One of Edmonton’s best trades in years — Vasily Podkolzin’s relentless offseason grind has him primed for a breakout season.
The Edmonton Oilers acquired Vasily Podkolzin two years ago, back on August 18th, 2024. For a former 10th‑overall pick who had fallen out of favour in Vancouver, the price was shockingly low — just a 2025 fourth‑round pick. Podkolzin played only 19 games for the Canucks in 2023‑24, buried in Rick Tocchet’s depth chart and unable to carve out a meaningful role.
It wasn’t always that way. Podkolzin’s rookie season in 2021‑22 showed real promise: 79 games, 14 goals, 26 points, a +7 rating, and nearly 13 minutes a night. He looked like a reliable young piece. But his sophomore season derailed his momentum. He bounced between the AHL and NHL, finishing with just seven points in 39 games and seeing his ice time drop. Under Tocchet, things got even tougher — only 19 NHL games in 2023‑24 and a brief two‑game playoff cameo before Vancouver’s season ended at the hands of the Oilers.
The Trade That Changed Everything
The 2024 offseason was chaotic for Edmonton. Losing Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg to the double offer‑sheet fiasco forced the Oilers into scramble mode. They made two trades to stabilize their roster: Cody Ceci for Ty Emberson, and that fourth‑round pick for Podkolzin.
That second deal might go down as one of the best trades the Oilers have made in a decade.
Podkolzin immediately found a home in Edmonton. He played all 82 games in his first season, posting 24 points and leading the team with 211 hits. He became a fan favorite overnight — hitting everything, sticking up for teammates, and bringing a level of physical consistency the Oilers had badly lacked. His playoff performance cemented his arrival: 22 games, 10 points, and a major role in Edmonton’s run to yet another Cup Final appearance.
The 2025‑26 season was the true breakout. Playing consistently with Leon Draisaitl, Podkolzin erupted for 19 goals and 37 points, finished +16, and averaged over 15 minutes a night. He once again led the team in hits with 242, and his line with Draisaitl and Kasperi Kapanen was Edmonton’s best in the postseason. Even in a disappointing first‑round loss to Anaheim, Podkolzin delivered — six points in six games and the highest ice time of his career.
The Hardest Worker in the Room
This summer, Podkolzin’s work ethic has been impossible to ignore. Over the past two seasons, he’s routinely the first Oiler on the ice, often starting practice 30 minutes before anyone else. He’s always the last to leave, staying late to work on puck skills, edges, and his shot. Teammates rave about his commitment — and it shows.
His puck skills coach, Ned Lukacevic, has been a constant presence in his offseason training. Videos of Podkolzin’s sessions have flooded social media, and Lukacevic offered this glowing assessment:
“Pods’ shot is looking extremely good. He looks lighter on his skates. He looks graceful with his movements from edge to edge. Powerful but very smooth.”
This is exactly the kind of player coaches fall in love with — relentless, detail‑oriented, and hungry.
Is a True Breakout Season Coming?
Podkolzin’s 2025‑26 season was excellent, but there’s a real sense he’s only scratching the surface. He narrowly missed the 20‑goal mark, and with the improvements to his shot and confidence, he should be aiming higher.
Playing with Draisaitl is a cheat code for any winger, and the Oilers re‑signing Kapanen opens the door for a reunion of a line that clicked all year and was dominant in the playoffs. If Podkolzin stays in that spot — and there’s no reason he shouldn’t — 25 goals is absolutely within reach.
Mike Babcock’s system should suit him, too. Podkolzin plays a north‑south, relentless, detail‑driven game with shades of Zach Hyman. Coaches adore players like that. Edmonton needs players like that.
And Podkolzin looks ready to deliver.
A Steal of a Trade
The Oilers turned a fourth‑round pick into a top‑six winger who hits everything, scores, drives play, and works like a man possessed. Podkolzin has become one of Edmonton’s most important young pieces, and all signs point to another leap coming.
His best hockey still feels ahead of him — and the Oilers might be about to reap the rewards of one of the savviest trades they’ve made in years.
Next: The NHL’s Most Disrespected Star: Why Evan Bouchard Deserves Better
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