The Edmonton Oilers enter the 2025-26 season in the hope of finally winning their first Stanley Cup since 1990, and although the most attention of fans on the threatening expansion of Connor McDavid has been, another player is eligible for an extension and can be a huge campaign alongside Leon Draisaitl.
Related: Oilers News and Rumors: McDavid Speaks, Kostin, PTOs
Vasily Podkolzin was Acquired by the Oilers Last summer from the Vancouver Canucks After the team was lost Both Dylan Holloway and Philip BrobraR on St. Louis Blues because of offers, and he entered the season with a new, two -year contract. He became a staple on the wing of Draisaitl last season, and although he did not explode offensive, fans of his physical playing style and Draisaitl recently praised the idea of playing next to him again.
Leon Draisaitl simply gasses Vasily Podkolzin; He likes to play with him.
📹: @Edmontonoilers pic.twitter.com/lcshgqwx2a
– Oilersnation.com, Oily since ’07 (@Oilersnation) September 4, 2025
“Podzy does many things that many people don’t really understand hockey, they don’t see it,” said Draisaitl. He continued: “He does a lot of that work for me, and it lets me have a lot of time with the puck and puts me in great situations in which I miss that in my game.” He added that Podkolzin was someone with whom he liked to play and said he was a great player.
Podkolzin enters the second season of his two-year-old deal with a cap-hit of $ 1 million, and although he did not have the attacking outbreak that some fans sought in the top-six role that he played last season, he did things away from the Puck who justified him a long-term extension and a nice wage increase.
What could the next deal of Podkolin look like?
Last season, Podkolzin played all 82 games, scored eight goals and added 16 assists for 24 points, which comes to an average of 0.29 points per match. In 22 Playoff matches he scored three goals and added seven assists for 10 points. During his short career so far he has played 219 games, scored 26 goals and added 33 assists for 59 points, which comes to an average of 0.27 points per match.
The style with which Podkolzin plays is unique and adds Draisaitl almost perfectly. Draisaitl is often the last man in the attacking zone and plays the role of supporting, while Podkolzin is often the first man on the pre -check and is often able to fish and create opportunities for his lining sizes.
Last season he seemed to miss some confidence with the puck on his stick, which led to his surprising lack of point production, but he will still earn a wage increase at his next deal. The Oilers will probably focus on getting an extension for McDavid before they turn to their other players, including podkolzin and various others who are eligible for an extension, but it would not surprise me if Podkolzin recently earned a similar deal if Trent Frederic recently received.
If I had to guess, Podkolzin will sign a long -term extension, at least six years, at around $ 3 million a year. With his playing style and the potential to explode attacking at any time, at that price in the neighborhood can keep him as a stem as fast as next season. Time will tell what a new deal looks like, but it seems inevitable that he will stay with the oilers for the long term, especially after some serious praise from Draisaitl.
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