Oilers F Vasily Podkolzin inks 3-year extension

The Edmonton Oilers signed Vasily Podkolzin to a three-year, $8.85 million contract extension on Tuesday.

The rugged forward will play this season on the final year of the deal he signed with the Vancouver Canucks in 2024. The new extension begins with the 2026-27 campaign.

Podkolzin, 24, recorded 24 points (eight goals, 16 assists), a team-leading 211 hits and 53 blocked shots while playing in all 82 games last season with the Oilers. He also had 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 22 playoff games to help Edmonton advance to its second straight Stanley Cup Final.

"It's awesome, I'm really happy to be here for the next few years," Podkolzin said. "It's a great group of guys here and we need to get the job done. I just love hockey and I love my work and I love what I do. When I have the opportunity to play with the best players in the world, it's awesome. I really enjoy it and I try to be useful for them."

Podkolzin has totaled 59 points (26 goals, 33 assists) and 417 hits in 219 career games with the Canucks and Oilers. He was selected by Vancouver with the 10th overall pick of the 2019 NHL Draft and made his league debut during the 2021-22 season.