3 Reasons Oilers’ Podkolzin Has Had Early Season Success

Podkolzin has a hand in both areas. He is hard to the net on every rush and is able to cycle the puck with ease around the zone with his line mates. He has recorded a team-leading seven goals and a total nine points in seven games. On the flip side, his defensive play has quietly made the top line an even bigger weapon.

A Focus on Defence

Podkolzin has always been rather solid on defence, especially because his offence has never exploded like it has early in 2026-27 and he has had to rely on good back checking and man-to-man hockey. His start to this season has proved he can do both, including a real focus on keeping pucks out of his net (and putting them in the other net at the same time).

Podkolzin leads the team in hits with 27 through six games, as he did in that category last season. He’s extremely aggressive on the puck and finishes every play. He is also very careful with the puck, registering just two giveaways through his first six games. He has a goals above expected of 3 and an on-ice goal differential of 14, which are both inside the top 5 on the Oilers.

The veteran has clearly refined his game in all areas and is only improving. Playing a balanced game will be massive for him in order to continue to get opportunities and help the team contend. His head coach sure seems to like what he’s seeing so far.

Trust From Head Coach

New head coach Mike Babcock has shown an immense amount of trust in Podkolzin, which has been a huge part of why he has been able to flourish and be a difference maker. Babcock has elevated him to the top power play unit with the injury absences of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman and he has helped the unit maintain its league-wide prowess. Edmonton’s power play remains inside the top 10 among all NHL teams a couple weeks into the season despite a couple key players missing.

Podkolzin has recorded three goals and four points in his time on the power play, working down low like Nugent-Hopkins and Hyman often do. Similar to the power play, he can be found on the ice late in close games, trying to keep the Oilers’ end clear and also attempting to bury an insurance goal. Looking at Edmonton’s record, he has been doing his job.

Podkolzin’s ice time has consistently been over 18 minutes per game to start the season, with his highest coming in the team’s 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday. Safe to say Babcock likes what he sees and appreciates the work Podkolzin is putting in.