Vasily Podkolzin’s Reinvention: How the Oilers Unlocked a Canucks Castoff
A striking irony defines Vasily Podkolzin’s ascent with the Edmonton Oilers: the player he’s become likely would have remained unrealized had he stayed with the Vancouver Canucks, a reality not lost on observers who believe Vancouver could currently deploy three players of Podkolzin’s caliber. This isn’t a criticism of the Canucks’ organization, but rather a testament to the often-necessary process of players needing a change of scenery to fulfill their potential.
The hockey world is replete with examples of highly-drafted players who required a fresh start to escape the weight of expectation and rediscover their game. Unlike players such as Olli Juolevi or Jesse Puljujarvi, however, Podkolzin has not only transitioned to a new organization but has blossomed into a legitimate NHL contributor poised for a lengthy career.
“Sometimes guys just take a little bit longer to really find what they are. And who they are,” said Leon Draisaitl, Podkolzin’s center for the past two seasons, on Wednesday. “He just moulded his game into being a super effective two-way player that guys love playing with. I certainly do.”
It’s a particularly unfortunate circumstance for Vancouver that the player they selected 10th overall in 2019 isn’t currently providing the same dynamic for Elias Pettersson that he now delivers for Draisaitl: consistently leading the forecheck, winning battles for possession along the boards and in the corners, offering crucial defensive support, and contributing offensively – currently on pace for a career-high 16 goals.
The pressure of being a Top 10 pick often leads to a change of address, a shift in environment. “In 2019, (going 10th) was fair enough,” Podkolzin acknowledged. “Let’s see if we re-draft now. Maybe I will go lower. But I wanted to get drafted in the first round, and I didn’t worry about the number.”
In retrospect, his 14-goal rookie season may have inadvertently inflated expectations regarding his offensive ceiling. When his scoring didn’t progress as anticipated, he risked being labeled a failing Top 6 winger instead of the valuable Middle 6 player he’s now recognized as in Edmonton.
Podkolzin’s development was somewhat obscured during the 2022-23 season when the Canucks achieved 109 points and engaged in a thrilling seven-game series against Edmonton. “It was my third year, my contract year, they had a pretty good team. They don’t really worry about me,” he explained. “They are about getting the result, and that’s fair enough. I understand everything. It’s a business.”
That summer, Oilers general manager Stan Bowman orchestrated a trade that surprised many, acquiring the once-promising prospect from a division rival. It proved to be the catalyst Podkolzin needed.
He quickly established a strong connection with Draisaitl, forming arguably the Oilers’ most consistent forward pairing outside of Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman. “This trade, they make a huge role for me (in Edmonton),” Podkolzin said. “I came in and got a fresh start, a little bit of fresh air here, and right now I’m feeling pretty good.”
The question remains: how did the Oilers acquire a player capable of contributing on any of the NHL’s 32 teams for just a fourth-round pick?
The answer lies in the foresight of Rick Pracy, Bowman’s Director of Amateur Scouting, who had extensively scouted Podkolzin prior to the draft while working for Philadelphia. Jeremy Colliton, Bowman’s head coach during his time in Chicago, had also coached Podkolzin in Abbotsford during the 2023-24 season, the last year both men were affiliated with the Canucks organization.
Pracy consistently valued Podkolzin’s potential as an amateur, while Colliton recognized a capable professional – albeit not the top-line player the Canucks initially envisioned.
Bowman recounted a conversation with Colliton: “(Colliton) said, ‘I was happy that they didn’t keep him in Vancouver and they sent him to me.’ And I’m like, ‘Well, what’s the issue there?’ (Colliton said), ‘I don’t really know. I just know that I love him. He’s such a hard worker. He’s probably not going to be a big scorer…’”
Bowman acknowledged the inherent expectations placed on high draft picks. “And maybe that’s part of the issue. When you’re drafted that high, there are expectations,” he said. “He hadn’t really put it all together yet, so there was a risk that he maybe never would. I can’t say we knew he would be this good, but I was hopeful that he would be able to contribute in some way, and he’s actually been able to show chemistry with Leon, which is big.”
Podkolzin possesses several qualities that stand out. His size – six-foot-one, 190 lbs – combined with his exceptional work ethic – arriving at practice 25 minutes early each day – are immediately apparent. He also boasts an above-average wrist shot and a powerful, rapid stride.
“It can be more. I could be even asked for more,” the 24-year-old Muscovite stated. “It’s just great to be on a line with Leo, you know, and get some important minutes for the team, and play some, some bigger role that I had last year. I think I’m able to do more and to score more. Be a more offensive, good player.”
The question now is whether Podkolzin can elevate his offensive game further, or if attempting to do so risks repeating the mistakes that hampered his development in Vancouver.
“I don’t think you want him to change. I don’t want him to change. I want him to be this,” Draisaitl insisted. “But,” he conceded, “there’s more offensively — you can see it. Even this year to last year, he’s got a lot more puck touches, a lot more carrying the puck through the neutral zone. There’s more for him to have, for sure.”
Ultimately, Podkolzin’s current contribution is more than sufficient, especially considering the minimal cost of acquisition – a fourth-round pick, not a first.
