The Edmonton Oilers May Have Made A Mistake Acquiring Former Vancouver Canucks Prospect Vasily Podkolzin

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Maverick Mitchell
November 3, 2024 (12:08)

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Even with just getting a 5th round-pick, Vancouver Canucks general manager Patrik Alvin did well as former prospect Vasily Podkolzin is struggling since joining the Edmonton Oilers.

During the offseason, the Edmonton Oilers acquired Podkolzin in a trade with the Canucks which they gave up a 5th-round pick. The move was to try and replace Dylan Holloway, who they lost after being offer sheeted just weeks prior by the St. Louis Blues.

Being selected 10th overall by the Canucks back in 2019, there was a lot of hype surrounding the young Russian forward. It is not that he lacked the effort, or physical play that many teams would love, it was his offensive game that never really panned out like you would want with that early of a selection.

Did the Edmonton Oilers make a mistake acquiring Vasily Podkolzin from the Vancouver Cancucks?

Unfortunately for the Oilers, the same narrative has followed him to Edmonton, he is still the same big physical forward the Canucks loved, but his offence is disappointing to say the least. After moving up and down the lineup, and getting chances with the top-6 forwards, Podkolzin has only recorded 2 assists with no goals in 11 games..

Part of that issue is a lack of shots, as he's thrown just 11 on net. Derek Ryan and Mattias Janmark are the only regular Oilers forwards with less.

In reality, did the Oilers miss with this trade? The answer is simply no, he may not be delivering what you hope offensively, but there is a ton of upside to his game, considering they only got him for a 5th-round pick. At 23-years-old, there is still a lot of room for him to grow in the NHL, his offensive game can develop a lot more while he still implements the physicality that teams always want. If anything, the Oilers should be pumped by having Podkolzin in their lineup.