2024–25 Edmonton Oilers players grade: Vasily Podkolzin

Podkolzin’s strengths

Podkolzin is listed at 6’1” and 190 lbs, but plays much bigger than that. Perhaps the most notable evolution of his game with the Oilers last season was his willingness to hit. Podkolzin is willing and able to join the fray in contested ice, along the walls or at the net front in the offensive zone.

Though he is not often carrying the puck through the neutral zone and into the offensive zone, Podkolzin has good speed. While there seemed to be more high end skill than he has yet to apply, Podkolzin’s brightest flashes come off the cycle. Podkolzin showed real chemistry with Leon Draisaitl in these situations.

Podkolzin’s weaknesses

Unfortunately, this did not translate into much offence from Podkolzin individually. Despite being listed as a second line winger, Podkolzin’s icetime was under 13 minutes per game last season. This is, in part, due to his lack of special teams role, but it also points to an effort from coaches to be careful with his deployment.

While he will never be an elite playmaker, Podkolzin has the tools to score more goals at the net front. Reportedly he spent much of last season putting in extra time at practice working on his shot, which would help. It might be more beneficial for Podkolzin to focus on more net front specific strategies like teammate Zach Hyman.

With Corey Perry gone, Podkolzin has a path to a bigger role and more production. He will need to leverage his speed effectively when forechecking and backchecking. Strength and balance will be key, but so will puck control and poise if Podkolzin is to reach new scoring heights. Part of what has made Hyman so successful in growing his game through the years is his ability to add a new trick or two into his arsenal each season. Whether it is a specialized tip, shot, or post up move, Podkolzin can increase the quality of his touches even without elite playmaking senses.

Overall letter grade : B-

Despite his low icetime and point totals, Podkolzin earns a lot of credit for doing a lot of dirty work alongside Draisaitl. Although his individual stats were not pretty, Podkolzin being a key part of one of Draisaitl’s best seasons is notable. Between the upside of his youth and the affordability of his contract, it would have been hard to be disappointed in Podkolzin’s work as an Oiler so far.

Expectations for the future

Podkolzin enters this offseason with a golden opportunity. Former Oiler Jesse Puljujarvi had a similar opportunity once upon a time, a young power winger with the chance to play alongside Draisaitl or Connor McDavid. Ultimately, despite draft pedigree, Puljujarvi could not find the offensive touch required. Podkolzin will be looking to avoid that same fate, and any significant strides in this areas will pay immediate dividends alongside a superstar centre.

While his 24 points in 82 games last season nearly equaled his career high, there could be more on the horizon for Podkolzin. The effect on improvements might be able to snowball into greater opportunities, perhaps as Perry’s replacement as a true net front option on the second power play unit.

Podkolzin might find himself battling for icetime with Trent Frederic, especially if Frederic plays on the wing. As much as the Oilers have incoming talent in Matthew Savoie, Isaac Howard, and Andrew Mangiapane, physical net front options like Podkolzin provide a different element. Especially with the possibility that Hyman is injured to start the season, Podkolzin could have a green light to an expanded role. Potential breakout seasons from Savoie and Howard will only buoy Podkolzin’s production.

If he can maintain his solid flow of play metrics, provide physicality and speed, and chip in 35 points it would be a really strong season from Podkolzin. Though it might not seem like much, if Podkolzin shows the ability to grow his offensive game it could be a sign that there is more to come.