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Can Vasily Podkolzin reach the next level? | 31 Oilers Questions (Day 1)

Edmonton Oilers Vasily Podkolzin Goal Celebration

Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

By Ryley Delaney

Aug 1, 2026, 21:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 1, 2026, 20:59 EDT

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This August, Oilersnation will ask one question about every Edmonton Oilers player projected to be on the 2026-27 roster in preparation for the upcoming season. From Connor McDavid to Mattias Janmark, let’s ask some questions.

Vasily Podkolzin emerged as an important player for the Edmonton Oilers this past season. He was often in the top six, playing alongside either Leon Draisaitl or Connor McDavid, which resulted in a career-best 19 goals and 37 points in 82 games.

The question is, does Podkolzin have another gear?

Is there another level to Podkolzin’s game?

Drafted 10th overall in the 2019 draft by the Vancouver Canucks, Podkolzin had a strong rookie season, scoring 14 goals and 26 points in 79 games. The Russian winger couldn’t find the same success the next two seasons, amassing just four goals and nine points in his next 58 games.

The Canucks sold low before the 2024 draft, while the Oilers took a chance on a reclamation project who was drafted high. Podkolzin had an okay 2024-25 season, scoring eight goals and 24 points in 82 games, with another three goals and 10 points in 22 postseason games.

But for the first time in his career, the 25-year-old looked like a top six forward. He also happened to be the Oilers’ best player during their short 2026 playoff run, potting three goals and six points in six games, as well as a late fight in Game 3.

Of course, Podkolzin provides other important qualities such as stepping up for teammates after big hits and doing the little things for the skilled players. It’s safe to say that he took a step in 2025-26, becoming a reliable secondary option for the Oilers, but there’s another gear.

Podkolzin can be best described as a power forward. It’s well known that players with that archetype tend to take a while to develop, but in his age-24 season, he finally rounded into the player that the Canucks selected 10th overall.

He’ll be stapled to either McDavid or Draisaitl’s line, and 25 goals and 50 points seem like a possibility. Podkolzin could potentially score even more if he did as he did in the Oilers’ brief playoff run in 2026.

In order for this to happen, he’s going to need to find more offence, and without any time on the top power play unit, much of that production is going to come at five-on-five. That is, of course, unless the Oilers spread out the man advantage minutes a bit more than they have in years past. One common narrative in Edmonton’s hiring of Mike Babcock and D.J. Smith is wanting to find ways to get more contributions from everyone.

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on X at @Ryley__Delaney.

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