When the Edmonton Oilers acquired Vasily Podkolzin from the Vancouver Canucks for a fourth-round pick in August 2024, the trade didn't draw much attention. But less than a year later, it’s clear the Oilers landed on found money and had brought in a useful forward at a low salary that is worth extending to a new deal.

As contract talks swirl ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season, -- mainly regarding Connor McDavid -- there are a few other Oilers who are eligible to sign extensions. Among them is Podkolozin, who will likely get another extended look in the team's top six this season.

As much as it seems obvious the Oilers would want to get a deal done at a number that feels team friendly, one scribe threw the forwards name out there, suggesting that Podkolzin might be used as trade bait.

Why?

What the Oilers Do With Podkolzin Matters

Making a mistake with Podkolzin is an error the Oilers can’t afford to make. Part of that is because Podkolzin could turn out to be a solid top-six forward. Another is because the Oilers can't afford to let productive players on low AAVs slip away. 

At just 24 years old, Podkolzin has already shown he can be a valuable part of a Stanley Cup caliber lineup. He found an advocate in Leon Draisaitl. In just over 11 minutes per night he registered three goals and 10 points, over 22 games. Those numbers demonstrate how effective he can be as a support player in clutch situations. He didn't shy away from the ramped up level of play. In fact, he embraced it. There were signs there of another key player for the team. 

In a recent interview, he talked highly of Zach Hyman, saying "If I think about what I want to be in the next five years, talk about my ambitions, ideally, I want to be like him." 

In short, if Podkolzin turns into even half the player Hyman has been for the Oilers, he'll be everything a team wants in a winger. 

Why Would the Oilers Consider Trading Him?

While some like Allan Mitchell of The Athletic have floated the idea of moving Podkolzin to make room for young talents like Isaac Howard or Matt Savoie, that reasoning doesn’t hold up. Mitchell wrote:

"Podkolzin’s offence has been inconsistent during his young NHL career, and with Howard and Savoie both pushing for time on the skill lines, the big Russian will need to remain productive on the No. 2 line."

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Mitchell goes on to add, "If he falters, an NHL team may ask after him, and Bowman could cash in his young winger for help elsewhere." That feels like a simplification of what would have to happen for the Oilers to sour on the player.

Podkolzin is earning the right to not only play, but be looked at for an extension. With the reputation that he's arguably the hardest-working Oiler on the roster, he forced his way into Edmonton’s top-six last season. He outplayed veterans like Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson (both of whom are now gone) and he earned Draisaitl’s trust. His five-on-five numbers were among the best on the team.

That’s not the kind of attitude, chutzpah, and production you just throw away if things aren't always clicking. It's absolutely not the kind of player you jettison when the other options are unproven rookies.

How Many Players Score 20 Goals for the Oilers This Season? - Community Post The Edmonton Oilers are heading into the 2025-26 season with a revamped forward group and plenty of questions about secondary scoring. With several veteran wingers gone, the team will rely on new faces to help provide the depth scoring.

Podkolzin is young, cost-controlled ($1 million this season), and under team control as a pending RFA. He embodies the kind of smart, value-driven roster building the team needs in the rising cap era. If anything, Bowman should be leading the charge in getting Podkolzin locked up long-term—much like the organization did with Trent Frederic earlier this offseason.

The case for keeping Podkolzin goes beyond numbers. He’s routinely the first on the ice and the last off, known for his effort in practice and openness to coaching. With Evander Kane gone, Edmonton will need forwards who can bring edge and Podkolzin is uniquely suited to fill that void.

Even in a worst-case scenario—where Podkolzin doesn't hit his offensive ceiling—his physicality, defensive awareness, and commitment make him a valuable middle-six piece. But there's plenty of reason to believe there's more to come. His eight-goal season in 2024-25 should be seen as a low. With more time in the top six, especially alongside elite playmakers, a jump to 15 or even 20 goals is within reach.

Expect a Contract Extension To Come This Month

On a recent episode of Oilers Now,  Bob Stauffer recently suggested that extensions for Podkolzin, Mattias Ekholm, Jake Walman, Kris Knoblauch, and even Connor McDavid could be finalized by late August. The Oilers would be wise to prioritize Podkolzin sooner rather than later. He'll likely not become an expensive winger, but getting him locked in at a reasonable number before he breaks out this season would be wise asset management.

Locking up Podkolzin soon could also send a clear message: that this team values work ethic and drive. He has that in spades, which is an important lesson for a much younger Oilers roster that last season to start learning.