‘So much room to grow with this player’: Fans react as Oilers lock up winger for three years

It’s not the extension Oilers fans were hoping to see announced this fall, but the organization has done some business by signing Vasily Podkolzin to a three-year deal.

Acquired last summer from the Canucks, the Russian winger scored eight goals, 16 assists, and 24 points in his first season in Edmonton. Come playoff time, Podkolzin contributed three goals and 10 points. The coaching staff and management see value in the forward, and when the extension news dropped, social media had its fair share to say.

“Huge fan of this Podz extension. Great value for the next four seasons for a guy I could see putting up 40-50 points this year.” — OilersDaily on X

“If he gets like 10 goals and 20 points on average, bad value. Fifteen goals and 30–35 points on average, it’s good. Anything more than that, incredible contract.” — Ken Holland’s Frontal Lobe on X

“Bangggggg! Three more years of Vasily Podkolzin in Oil Country. I love it. I still think there’s so much room to grow with this player. His ceiling is far from reached, IMO.” — Erik Andersen on X

“Oh boy. I believed the Oilers got a bargain getting Podkolzin in the first place and honestly felt he was as good of a prospect as Holloway… With this deal, he better be!” — Joe Hutzal on X

“Nothing wrong with this. If he ends up being a third-line guy, it’s pretty much right where he belongs money-wise. If he can start putting goals in playing with 29, then it’s a home run.” — fivestargc on X

“I love Podz and Kappy. Those guys play hard when others don’t. I’m glad they’re around for a bit longer. I hope Kap gets a two-year extension after this year.” — talmanyoung on Instagram

“Big money for a guy who struggles to finish. Hope he continues to develop. Lots of other positives to his game!” — mccurdytravis on Instagram

For the most part, fans are happy to see the Oilers sign Podkolzin for a few more years. He’s become a bit of a fan favourite since being traded from the Vancouver Canucks during the summer of 2024. Canucks fans also said their piece on Podkolzin, whom the organization drafted 10th overall in 2019.

“Super happy for the guy to land a bridge deal in a cap landscape that sets him up to potentially cash in by the end — especially after hearing Draisaitl absolutely gush about him earlier this month.” — u/Barblarblarw on Canucks Reddit

“Happy for him but don’t think Canucks need to feel bad about the trade. He works hard but has hands of stone and often killed plays. He played with Draisaitl fairly often last year and still couldn’t put up points for the most part.” — u/Steler19 on Canucks Reddit

“I guess this means Podkolzin’s found the right team to play with, but let’s be real here. With the Canucks, he couldn’t do anything, but that all changed with the Oilers.” — Owen Arnason ZX on X

“Seems about right for payment and term. Always liked Podkolzin and felt the Canucks made a mistake trading him away for virtually nothing. With that said, despite often playing high in the lineup, 24 points in 82 games is really not very impressive. For years now I’ve felt he had more to give than he’s shown on the scoresheets. Maybe during this contract he will put it all together…” — Jeff Kloubek on Facebook

“Should have been riding shotgun on EP40’s wing, but always thought he was a finesse player when he was given the chance. He’s a big body who skates well, with meh hands. He should have been pancaking players.” — Mitchell Fournier on Facebook

There’s not much griping or chirping from Canucks fans about this deal. Instead, the sentiment is that they’re happy for Podkolzin and wish it could’ve worked out better for him in Vancouver. Of course, some fans will take jabs at the Oilers, saying “overpay” or “overrated,” but for the most part, the comments from the Canucks fan base are positive.

Podkolzin has found himself a home in Edmonton and will likely want to boost the numbers in the goal-scoring department this upcoming season. Oilers fans are satisfied with this deal and are excited to see what he will bring to Edmonton in the years to come.