Edmonton Oilers acquire former top ten draft pick from Vancouver Canucks in trade

The Oilers acquired the fourth round draft pick earlier this offseason in a trade that sent Xavier Bourgault to the Ottawa Senators. Interestingly, the Oilers make this trade at a time where they need to be offloading salary, instead of taking more on.

Vasily Podkolzin is a quality bottom six winger at the moment, but the Vancouver Canucks may have expected more from him when they drafted him 10th overall in 2019. In 138 NHL games, Podkolzin has only scored 18 goals and 35 points, and has bounced down to the AHL frequently. He played 44 games in the AHL last season with decent offensive success, but only scored two assists in 19 NHL games. Podkolzin just signed a two year contract extension for only $1M a year.

After the offer sheets signed by Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway earlier this week, every move by the Oilers will come as a result of their dire salary cap situation. Acquiring Podkolzin for a $1.2M less than Dylan Holloway may indicate that Holloway could walk to the St. Louis Blues.

We'll see what moves the Oilers have left, but this gamble on another former top 10 draft pick is an interesting move. They have two days left to match the offer sheets from St. Louis, and more roster moves are likely coming before then.