NHL singles out young Oilers forward for break-out season in 2025-26
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According to a recent report by NHL Edge Stats, Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin is the projected top-candidate to have a break-out season in 2025-26.
And it's not hard to see why. Though Vasily played a bottom-6 role on a highly-talented and offensive team last year, his ranking in key-areas were quite impressive.
Again, as per NHL Edge, the Russian ranked in the 93rd percentile in 20-plus miles-per-hour speed busts; 88th percentile in top shot speed (92.18mph); and 84th percentile in top skating speed (22.99mph). He plays the game fast and with intensity.
The 24-year old Podkolzin was selected 10th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 2019, but was traded to Edmonton in August, 2024, for a 4th-round pick from the 2025 draft. He signed a 2-year deal, at a cap hit of $1M.
When you read the scouting reports, and reports from NHL analysts, it's easy to see why he's so highly-touted. Here are only a few of them, the theme of which is very apparent.
"A force to be reckoned with each time he is on the ice, his explosive skating and speed help him carry the puck with ease.
A skilled winger who plays with an edge. Podkolzin combines his fine hockey sense, puck handling and shooting with an aggressive, in-your-face, type of game. He competes hard, is very difficult to play against and has the tools to be a high scoring player.
Very strong on the puck.. plays the hard way.. fierce but disciplined.. sound puck management.. possesses an effective move to his forehand".
A skilled winger who plays with an edge. Podkolzin combines his fine hockey sense, puck handling and shooting with an aggressive, in-your-face, type of game. He competes hard, is very difficult to play against and has the tools to be a high scoring player.
Very strong on the puck.. plays the hard way.. fierce but disciplined.. sound puck management.. possesses an effective move to his forehand".
The accolades continue with more of the same, that Vasily is a competitor who is difficult to play against, a complete winger with all the qualities you want in a player, according to Craig Button, TSN's Director of Scouting, and former GM of the Calgary Flames.
Vasily Podkolzin played in all 82 games last season, and all 22 playoff games. If he can manage to stay healthy next year, we may just see him break-out, and add to his 10 points and +7 from last year's playoffs. He enters the 2nd and final year of his contract, and becomes an RFA on July 1st, 2026.
If Vasily does have the season Insiders believe he will, he will likely be extended by the Oilers before free agency begins July 1st, 2026.
| POLL | ||
AOUT 12 | 291 ANSWERS NHL singles out young Oilers forward for break-out season in 2025-26 Do you believe Vasily Podkolzin can play a top-4 role with the Oilers? | ||
| yes | 192 | 66 % |
| no | 99 | 34 % |
| List of polls | ||
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