Statement made on former Canucks forward Vasily Podkolzin

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Cooper Godin
August 21, 2024 (2:41 PM)

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A statement has been made on former Vancouver Canucks forward Vasily Podkolzin.

Over the weekend, the Vancouver Canucks moved on from former first-round pick Vasily Podkolzin trading him to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick.

In a post on social media on Wednesday, it was revealed that Vasily Podkolzin will be wearing 92 with the Edmonton Oilers, the same number that he donned while with the Vancouver Canucks. @NHLNewNumbers on X says that this is the first time number 92 has been worn by an Edmonton Oiler since Tomas Jurco during the 2019-20 campaign.

After spending his entire rookie season in the National Hockey League, Podkolzin had a difficult time sticking with the Canucks in recent years, bouncing up and down between Vancouver and their American Hockey League affiliate in Abbotsford.

By joining the Edmonton Oilers, Podkolzin now has an opportunity to crack their opening night roster and possibly play a third line role, something he wouldn't have gotten in Vancouver.

The Canucks were in a difficult spot with Podkolzin. With the additions made by General Manager Patrik Allvin this summer, Podkolzin would have had a tough time making the opening night roster and would require waivers if they wished to send him to the American Hockey League.

Last season, Podkolzin registered 28 points (15 goals, 13 assists), 15 penalty minutes and had an even-rating in 44 games with the Abbotsford Canucks. He also put up two assists in 19 games for Vancouver.

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