It’s been a while since the Edmonton Oilers had a reclamation project turn out well for them.
On Sunday, the Oilers traded their 2025 fourth-round pick in exchange for Vasily Podkolzin in a trade with the Pacific Division rivals, the Vancouver Canucks. The 10th overall pick in the 2019 draft has had a rough few seasons since being drafted, and the Canucks felt that they’d rather get an asset for him now instead of losing him on the waiver wire.
Podkolzin, now 23, was considered a consensus top 10 pick in the 2019 draft, falling to the Canucks, who had the 10th overall pick in the draft. Funnily enough, he went two picks after the Oilers selected Philip Broberg, who the team lost to the St. Louis Blues thanks to an offer sheet, receiving a second-round pick next draft in return.
By all means, it seemed as if the Russian wanted to play in the National Hockey League as soon as possible, but the winger was under contract to SKA St. Petersburg for two more seasons. In 2019-20, he had limited ice-time, scoring two goals and eight points in 30 games. While he didn’t have much more of an opportunity in his final season, he managed six goals and 11 points in 35 games during the 2020-21 season.
During SKA St. Petersburg’s playoff run in the 2021 postseason, Podkolzin scored six goals and 11 points in 16 games as the team fell in the Conference Finals. He came overseasons following that season and inked an entry-level deal with the Canucks.
Podkolzin’s numbers in his rookie season were solid on a surface level, as he potted 14 goals and 26 points in 79 games, with the Canucks finishing with a 40-30-12 record, five points out of a playoff position. However, he was up and down in the lineup throughout the season, even after the Canucks made a coaching change.
The 23-year-old’s second season, which featured another coaching change, saw his totals drop to four goals and seven points in 39 games. Podkolzin’s numbers in the American Hockey League were solid, potting seven goals and 18 points in 28 games.
It was much of the same in the most recent season for Podkolzin, picking up two assists in 19 regular season games for the Canucks in 2023-24. He became a regular with their AHL team, scoring 15 goals and 28 points, but it was pretty clear that the Canucks didn’t need the waiver-eligible forward in 2024-25.
According to this Canucks Army article written by David Quadrelli, Podkolzin focuses on the safe play, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but not quite what you want to see from a 10th-overall pick. The 23-year-old could benefit greatly from a change of scenery, especially with a team like the Oilers with offensive weapons like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
It’s unclear what Podkolzin’s role will be with the Oilers. His “make the safe play” style could lend well in the bottom six, especially if he can score like he did in his rookie season. However, his potential could also be unlocked with a change of scenery, and maybe, just maybe, the Oilers could help him live up to his 10th-overall status.
