Vasili Podkolzin Is Suddenly Scoring Like a Star. How High Can He Go?

The early NHL season has delivered some great surprises, and Vasily Podkolzin is becoming one of them. Edmonton Oilers fans knew he could bring energy, physicality, and a willingness to do the harder work around the net. What they probably didn’t expect was to see him tied for eighth in the NHL in goals and producing at a point-per-game pace.

After 13 games, Podkolzin has eight goals and five assists. That’s quite a change from last season, when he finished with 19 goals and 37 points. At his current pace, he’d leave both career highs well behind.

Podkolzin Has a 30 Percent Shooting Percentage, Which Can’t Last – Can It?

Of course, let’s not get carried away. His shooting percentage is close to 30 percent, and no one should expect him to maintain that over an entire season. His role on Edmonton’s top power-play unit isn’t guaranteed either. Eventually, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl might be separated at even strength, which could change Podkolzin’s chances.

But what I find interesting is that Podkolzin isn’t simply hanging around waiting for McDavid or Draisaitl to make something happen. He’s becoming a useful complement to two exceptional players. He goes to the difficult areas, gets involved physically, and seems increasingly comfortable finding the open space that elite playmakers can create.

There’s something to be said for that kind of fit. Playing alongside great players can make a winger look better, but the winger still has to recognize opportunities and finish them. Podkolzin is doing that right now.

What’s the Upper Limit for Podkolzin’s Scoring?

So, how high is the ceiling this season? Is projecting 40 goals or a point-per-game finish out of the question? That’s asking a lot, particularly if his current shooting percentage comes back to earth. But a season somewhere around 25 goals and 50 points doesn’t seem unreasonable if he continues to earn top-six minutes.

And that may be the bigger story for Edmonton. The Oilers don’t need Podkolzin to become another McDavid or Draisaitl. They need him to remain a dependable, productive winger who makes their best players even more effective. His work ethic is off the charts, which makes that possible.

Right now, he looks like exactly that. And if this early-season production is even partly sustainable, Edmonton may have found a bigger piece of its forward group than anyone anticipated.

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