<p>Now and then, a player comes along that you can’t help but root for, and Edmonton Oilers’ Vasily Podkolzin is one of them. While the 24 points he put up last season weren’t a ton, he was often seen throughout the season putting in extra work before and after practices to work on his game.</p>
<p>Podkolzin’s first season in Oil Country wasn’t defined just by points, but by the intangibles he also brought to the lineup — he was gritty, mucked it up in the corners, led the team in hits, and was one of the few Oilers who elevated their game in the Stanley Cup Final. With many eager to see what the Moscow, Russia native can do in his second season in Edmonton, below we outline what a successful 2025-26 campaign looks like for him.</p>
<p></p>
<h2>A 37-Point Campaign</h2>
<p>I’ll cut to the chase and say a successful season for Podkolzin, who makes $1 million a season, would be a 37-point campaign (16G, 21A) — a 13-point improvement from last season and a notable jump in points.</p>
<p>But I’ll dive into what many fans might be thinking — could he surpass the 37-point plateau and even reach 45 points or more? It’s entirely possible. The folks over at <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/reacting-podkolzin-trade-demko-injury-reports-more-canucks-conversation">CanucksArmy</a> have noted that when Podkolzin was playing with the Vancouver Canucks, he could be particularly sensitive when it comes to confidence. When it’s low, his game tends to take a dip.</p>
<p>That said, the rugged forward&#8217;s confidence should be fairly high heading into the 2025-26 campaign. Despite registering just 24 points in 82 games last regular season (0.29 PPG), his production climbed in the playoffs with 10 points in 22 games (0.45 PPG). On top of that, he was one of the best Oilers <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/vasily-podkolzins-solid-playoff-performance-promising-edmonton-oilers">against the powerhouse Florida Panthers</a>. Podkolzin finished third among Oilers forwards in points during the Florida series with four, trailing only Leon Draisaitl’s eight and Connor McDavid’s seven.</p>
<p>Additionally, the Instagram account of Ned Lukacevic (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/nedlukacevichockey/?hl=en">@nedlukacevichockey</a>), whose bio indicates he’s a professional skills development coach, posted a couple of videos this past summer of him training with Podkolzin. On Sept. 1, he also posted a picture with the Oilers&#8217; forward with the caption, ‘Best of luck this season, brother,’ showing that Podkolzin put in work in the offseason to improve his skills.</p>
<figure id="attachment_180382" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-180382" style="width: 745px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-180382 size-full" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Vasily-Podkolzin.png" alt="" width="745" height="810" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Vasily-Podkolzin.png 745w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Vasily-Podkolzin-276x300.png 276w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 745px) 100vw, 745px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-180382" class="wp-caption-text">Photo courtesy of Ned Lukacevic(@nedlukacevichockey)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Now, let’s run the checklist — Podkolzin’s heading into the new season with confidence? Check. Worked with a skills coach in the offseason? Check. Likely starting on Draisaitl’s wing? Check. A 45+ point season? Not out of the question. If he reaches that point total, the Oilers will be kicking themselves for not locking him up long-term sooner.</p>
<h2>Driving Play for the Oilers with Strong Analytics Again</h2>
<p>Ideally, I’d <em>love</em> to be proved wrong by Podkolzin on my initial 37-point projection, and I absolutely hope he surpasses the 45-point plateau. Yet, even if he doesn’t put up big points, that’s alright — points aren’t the whole story for him, and Draisaitl’s recent comments about his teammate speak volumes, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/thoughts-leon-draisaitl-stuart-skinner-observations-edmonton-oilers-thursday-skate">having said</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>“Podz does a lot of things that a lot of people who don’t really understand hockey don’t see. He does a lot of work for me, and that lets me have a lot of time with the puck and sets me up in great situations. I lack that in my game, so he does a lot of things for me personally. I really love playing with him. He’s really underrated with the puck and underrated hockey sense. I think there is a lot more offence and a lot more finish in his game. He is a player who doesn’t need to score to be effective. His work ethic is as good as I’ve seen in my 12 years.”</p></blockquote>
<p>For $1 million a season, the Russian winger allows one of the best players in the world, Draisaitl, to play his game, doing the greasy work to get the puck into his centerman’s hands.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Podkolzin led the Oilers with a 71.43 SCF% tonight.</p>
<p>He&#39;s been helping the 2nd line by using his big body to create space and an underrated part of his game is his ability to keep plays alive + getting the puck back into the hands of Draisaitl- which I think his centerman likes <a href="https://t.co/wEcfArIHFP">pic.twitter.com/wEcfArIHFP</a></p>
<p>&mdash; seanpangs (@seanpangs) <a href="https://twitter.com/seanpangs/status/1850743307640418631?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 28, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Draisaitl — who played the most even-strength minutes with the 24-year-old last season (504:22) — tallied 72 of his 106 points at even strength. So even if Podkolzin’s own points aren’t there, and he doesn’t get credit on the scoresheet on some plays, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-spotlight-why-vasily-podkolzin-should-stick-on-the-second-line">some of the action starts with his hard work</a> and puck retrieval.</p>
<p>On that note, last season, among all players who played a minimum of 300 minutes at 5v5, Podkolzin ranked as follows in the NHL in the following advanced analytics categories:</p>
<p>• 11th in the NHL in shots-for percentage<br />
• 14th in the NHL in high-danger chances-for percentage<br />
• 19th in the NHL in expected goals-for percentage</p>
<p>While it’s fair to question analytics if a player isn’t producing points, metrics can still measure things like his ability to drive play forward and, ultimately, how he tilts the ice in his team’s favour. Even if Podkolzin doesn’t light up the score sheet, there’s still value in the underlying metrics, and I’d like to see him climb those advanced categories again this upcoming season.</p>
<h2>Increased Minutes on the Oilers’ PK</h2>
<p>Podkolzin seems like a player who’s hungry for more responsibility, and a bigger role on the Oilers’ penalty kill is likely in store for the 24-year-old. With <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-connor-brown-four-year-deal-new-jersey-devils">Connor Brown’s departure to New Jersey,</a> leaving a void in the unit, and Podkolzin having played the fifth-most shorthanded minutes among Oilers forwards last season, an increase in minutes is likely.</p>
<p>I feel he’ll excel in an elevated role on the PK because, as Draisaitl alluded to, he has an underrated hockey sense. But not only that, he showed last season that he’s willing to put his body on the line to get in front of pucks, finishing second on the team in blocked shots (53).</p>
<p>And call me old school, but I like PK units with not only players who have the hockey smarts to read and anticipate plays, but also with players willing to sacrifice their bodies and get in front of point shots. Some players fake it like they’re going to block a shot, while Podkolzin actually tries to.</p>
<h2>Lead in Hits and Stand Up for Teammates</h2>
<p>When the muscle from Moscow throws hits, it’s usually with real intent to deliver punishment, not just to register a stat on the scoresheet. He led the Oilers in hits last season, with his 210 ranking 24th in the league overall.</p>
<p>Podkolzin will once again be counted on to provide physicality up front, and now that we know what he’s capable of, he’ll likely be leaned on even more — especially with the departure of a physical presence like <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-trade-evander-kane-vancouver-canucks-fourth-round-pick">Evander Kane</a>.</p>
<p>Additionally, Podkolzin got into a couple of fights last season, but none bigger than the one he had last Halloween night against the Nashville Predators. The Oilers’ forward took on <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/top-five-oilers-fights-of-the-year-1-vasily-podkolzin-fights-jeremy-lauzon">the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Jeremy Lauzon</a>, and the heavy Russian landed a big right hook — likely one of the Oilers’ best T.K.O. punches since former Oilers&#8217; enforcer <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/steve-macintyre-still-relevant">Steve MacIntyre</a> T.K.O.’d Raitis Ivanans with a heavy right back in 2010.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Lauzon is tough, but Podkolzin delivered a devastating shot after taking a few from Lauzon earlier in the scrap. <a href="https://t.co/tHtkZRo8FC">pic.twitter.com/tHtkZRo8FC</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Jason Gregor (@JasonGregor) <a href="https://twitter.com/JasonGregor/status/1852208314438066232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 1, 2024</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Moreover, I think that T.K.O. carried a lot of weight beyond just the punch itself — it ran through the highlight reels and almost put the NHL on notice, sending a message of, ‘hey, this Russian kid shouldn’t be taken lightly.’ Podkolzin might not be a massive deterrent, but he can make opponents think twice about taking liberties, knowing he packs a heavy right hand. And if a rookie like Isaac Howard or <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-1-matthew-savoie">Matt Savoie</a> cracks the second line, you can bet the rugged Russian will step in if anyone tries to push them around.</p>
<p>On another note, this past offseason, Podkolzin shared who he looks up to on the Oilers, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/3321417148024690/">saying</a>, ‘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,’ referring to Zach Hyman. Not everyone can be a Connor McDavid, with what seems like God-given natural ability, but striving to be like Hyman — a player with a relentless motor, who gives 110% every shift — speaks volumes about his mindset and ambitions.</p>
<p>Podkolzin has an amazing work ethic, he has a role model in Hyman, and if he gets another opportunity to play alongside Draisaitl, this could be the season when the former first-round pick <em>really</em> puts it all together.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Article Presented by The Alberta Teachers&#8217; Association</h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-176305" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/ATA-2025-SUMMER-Nation-727x404_v1.jpg" alt="" width="727" height="404" srcset="https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/ATA-2025-SUMMER-Nation-727x404_v1.jpg 727w, https://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/ATA-2025-SUMMER-Nation-727x404_v1-300x167.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 727px) 100vw, 727px" /></p>
<p>Alberta spends the least per student on public education in Canada, leaving schools underfunded and in crisis. Overcrowded classrooms, unmet student needs, and dwindling supports are driving record numbers of teachers to leave the profession. As Albertans, we cannot ignore this neglect. Our children deserve better. It’s time to act—advocate for increased funding and demand answers from your MLA. Why does Alberta invest the least in its students? The excuses must stop. Stand up for our schools, support our educators, and help ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. The future of education in Alberta depends on it. Visit <a href="http://www.stoptheexcuses.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.stoptheexcuses.ca/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1749136640784000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1gmi3aqIXnAHKknK0OC3Fr">www.stoptheexcuses.ca</a></p>

Now and then, a player comes along that you can’t help but root for, and Edmonton Oilers’ Vasily Podkolzin is one of them. While the 24 points he put up last season weren’t a ton, he was often seen throughout the season putting in extra work before and after practices to work on his game.

Podkolzin’s first season in Oil Country wasn’t defined just by points, but by the intangibles he also brought to the lineup — he was gritty, mucked it up in the corners, led the team in hits, and was one of the few Oilers who elevated their game in the Stanley Cup Final. With many eager to see what the Moscow, Russia native can do in his second season in Edmonton, below we outline what a successful 2025-26 campaign looks like for him.


<h2>A 37-Point Campaign</h2>
I’ll cut to the chase and say a successful season for Podkolzin, who makes $1 million a season, would be a 37-point campaign (16G, 21A) — a 13-point improvement from last season and a notable jump in points.

But I’ll dive into what many fans might be thinking — could he surpass the 37-point plateau and even reach 45 points or more? It’s entirely possible. The folks over at <a href="https://canucksarmy.com/news/reacting-podkolzin-trade-demko-injury-reports-more-canucks-conversation">CanucksArmy</a> have noted that when Podkolzin was playing with the Vancouver Canucks, he could be particularly sensitive when it comes to confidence. When it’s low, his game tends to take a dip.

That said, the rugged forward's confidence should be fairly high heading into the 2025-26 campaign. Despite registering just 24 points in 82 games last regular season (0.29 PPG), his production climbed in the playoffs with 10 points in 22 games (0.45 PPG). On top of that, he was one of the best Oilers <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/vasily-podkolzins-solid-playoff-performance-promising-edmonton-oilers">against the powerhouse Florida Panthers</a>. Podkolzin finished third among Oilers forwards in points during the Florida series with four, trailing only Leon Draisaitl’s eight and Connor McDavid’s seven.

Additionally, the Instagram account of Ned Lukacevic (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/nedlukacevichockey/?hl=en">@nedlukacevichockey</a>), whose bio indicates he’s a professional skills development coach, posted a couple of videos this past summer of him training with Podkolzin. On Sept. 1, he also posted a picture with the Oilers' forward with the caption, ‘Best of luck this season, brother,’ showing that Podkolzin put in work in the offseason to improve his skills.

[caption id="attachment_180382" align="aligncenter" width="745"]<img class="wp-image-180382 size-full" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Vasily-Podkolzin.png" alt="" width="745" height="810" /> Photo courtesy of Ned Lukacevic(@nedlukacevichockey)[/caption]

Now, let’s run the checklist — Podkolzin’s heading into the new season with confidence? Check. Worked with a skills coach in the offseason? Check. Likely starting on Draisaitl’s wing? Check. A 45+ point season? Not out of the question. If he reaches that point total, the Oilers will be kicking themselves for not locking him up long-term sooner.
<h2>Driving Play for the Oilers with Strong Analytics Again</h2>
Ideally, I’d <em>love</em> to be proved wrong by Podkolzin on my initial 37-point projection, and I absolutely hope he surpasses the 45-point plateau. Yet, even if he doesn’t put up big points, that’s alright — points aren’t the whole story for him, and Draisaitl’s recent comments about his teammate speak volumes, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/thoughts-leon-draisaitl-stuart-skinner-observations-edmonton-oilers-thursday-skate">having said</a>:
<blockquote>“Podz does a lot of things that a lot of people who don’t really understand hockey don’t see. He does a lot of work for me, and that lets me have a lot of time with the puck and sets me up in great situations. I lack that in my game, so he does a lot of things for me personally. I really love playing with him. He’s really underrated with the puck and underrated hockey sense. I think there is a lot more offence and a lot more finish in his game. He is a player who doesn’t need to score to be effective. His work ethic is as good as I’ve seen in my 12 years.”</blockquote>
For $1 million a season, the Russian winger allows one of the best players in the world, Draisaitl, to play his game, doing the greasy work to get the puck into his centerman’s hands.

https://twitter.com/seanpangs/status/1850743307640418631

Draisaitl — who played the most even-strength minutes with the 24-year-old last season (504:22) — tallied 72 of his 106 points at even strength. So even if Podkolzin’s own points aren’t there, and he doesn’t get credit on the scoresheet on some plays, <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/oilers-spotlight-why-vasily-podkolzin-should-stick-on-the-second-line">some of the action starts with his hard work</a> and puck retrieval.

On that note, last season, among all players who played a minimum of 300 minutes at 5v5, Podkolzin ranked as follows in the NHL in the following advanced analytics categories:

• 11th in the NHL in shots-for percentage
• 14th in the NHL in high-danger chances-for percentage
• 19th in the NHL in expected goals-for percentage

While it’s fair to question analytics if a player isn’t producing points, metrics can still measure things like his ability to drive play forward and, ultimately, how he tilts the ice in his team’s favour. Even if Podkolzin doesn’t light up the score sheet, there’s still value in the underlying metrics, and I’d like to see him climb those advanced categories again this upcoming season.
<h2>Increased Minutes on the Oilers’ PK</h2>
Podkolzin seems like a player who’s hungry for more responsibility, and a bigger role on the Oilers’ penalty kill is likely in store for the 24-year-old. With <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-connor-brown-four-year-deal-new-jersey-devils">Connor Brown’s departure to New Jersey,</a> leaving a void in the unit, and Podkolzin having played the fifth-most shorthanded minutes among Oilers forwards last season, an increase in minutes is likely.

I feel he’ll excel in an elevated role on the PK because, as Draisaitl alluded to, he has an underrated hockey sense. But not only that, he showed last season that he’s willing to put his body on the line to get in front of pucks, finishing second on the team in blocked shots (53).

And call me old school, but I like PK units with not only players who have the hockey smarts to read and anticipate plays, but also with players willing to sacrifice their bodies and get in front of point shots. Some players fake it like they’re going to block a shot, while Podkolzin actually tries to.
<h2>Lead in Hits and Stand Up for Teammates</h2>
When the muscle from Moscow throws hits, it’s usually with real intent to deliver punishment, not just to register a stat on the scoresheet. He led the Oilers in hits last season, with his 210 ranking 24th in the league overall.

Podkolzin will once again be counted on to provide physicality up front, and now that we know what he’s capable of, he’ll likely be leaned on even more — especially with the departure of a physical presence like <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-trade-evander-kane-vancouver-canucks-fourth-round-pick">Evander Kane</a>.

Additionally, Podkolzin got into a couple of fights last season, but none bigger than the one he had last Halloween night against the Nashville Predators. The Oilers’ forward took on <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/top-five-oilers-fights-of-the-year-1-vasily-podkolzin-fights-jeremy-lauzon">the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Jeremy Lauzon</a>, and the heavy Russian landed a big right hook — likely one of the Oilers’ best T.K.O. punches since former Oilers' enforcer <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/steve-macintyre-still-relevant">Steve MacIntyre</a> T.K.O.’d Raitis Ivanans with a heavy right back in 2010.

https://twitter.com/JasonGregor/status/1852208314438066232

Moreover, I think that T.K.O. carried a lot of weight beyond just the punch itself — it ran through the highlight reels and almost put the NHL on notice, sending a message of, ‘hey, this Russian kid shouldn’t be taken lightly.’ Podkolzin might not be a massive deterrent, but he can make opponents think twice about taking liberties, knowing he packs a heavy right hand. And if a rookie like Isaac Howard or <a href="https://oilersnation.com/news/edmonton-oilers-summer-2025-prospect-countdown-1-matthew-savoie">Matt Savoie</a> cracks the second line, you can bet the rugged Russian will step in if anyone tries to push them around.

On another note, this past offseason, Podkolzin shared who he looks up to on the Oilers, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/reel/3321417148024690/">saying</a>, ‘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,’ referring to Zach Hyman. Not everyone can be a Connor McDavid, with what seems like God-given natural ability, but striving to be like Hyman — a player with a relentless motor, who gives 110% every shift — speaks volumes about his mindset and ambitions.

Podkolzin has an amazing work ethic, he has a role model in Hyman, and if he gets another opportunity to play alongside Draisaitl, this could be the season when the former first-round pick <em>really</em> puts it all together.

<hr />

<h2>Article Presented by The Alberta Teachers' Association</h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-176305" src="http://publish.oilersnation.com/wp-content/uploads/2099/02/ATA-2025-SUMMER-Nation-727x404_v1.jpg" alt="" width="727" height="404" />

Alberta spends the least per student on public education in Canada, leaving schools underfunded and in crisis. Overcrowded classrooms, unmet student needs, and dwindling supports are driving record numbers of teachers to leave the profession. As Albertans, we cannot ignore this neglect. Our children deserve better. It’s time to act—advocate for increased funding and demand answers from your MLA. Why does Alberta invest the least in its students? The excuses must stop. Stand up for our schools, support our educators, and help ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. The future of education in Alberta depends on it. Visit <a href="http://www.stoptheexcuses.ca/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.stoptheexcuses.ca/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1749136640784000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1gmi3aqIXnAHKknK0OC3Fr">www.stoptheexcuses.ca</a>

What does a successful 2025-26 season look like for Oilers’ Vasily Podkolzin?

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