Oilers declared clear winners of trade with Vancouver Canucks
Photo credit: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
Any way you look at the trade that saw Vasily Podkolzin come to Edmonton for a mid-level draft pick, shows the Oilers were clear winners, and continue to be.
Forward praised for his skill and attitude
Bruce Boudreau, Vasily's coach when he was in Vancouver, spoke about his former-player earlier this week on Oilersnation Everyday.
I think he's a 25-goal scorer in the end. And I think you're not gonna find a better teammate...He will look you straight in the eye and he will do whatever you want him to do. I think it was a great move to get him from Vancouver.
When Podkolzin was drafted by Vancouver, 10th overall in 2019, he'd just completed a strong offensive season playing in Russia. His potential was apparent to his new team.
Yet, for what seems today like inexplicable reasons, Vasily was traded to Edmonton on August, 2024 for a 4th-round draft pick, where he's emerged as a top-6 player with considerable work ethic.
When he's on the ice, Podkolzin has a 60.47% percentage of the 5v5 goal share, second-best on the team.
Also, when he plays, the Oilers' expected goal share is also quite good 5v5 at 50.8%, according to Natural Stat Trick.
And when he's paired with Draisaitl, the duo dominate play, outscoring opponents 20-7 for 74% goal share.
Conversely, when Podkolzin and Draisaitl have not played together, the Oilers were outscored 13-10.
In his 34 games this year, Vasily has posted 9G and 16 points and is a plus-13.
But more importantly, it's his overall combination of offense and physicality that make him a special player.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 19 | 749 ANSWERS Oilers declared clear winners of trade with Vancouver Canucks Is Vasily Podkolzin a legitimate top-6 forward? | ||
| yes | 659 | 88 % |
| no | 90 | 12 % |
| List of polls | ||