There’s just one week to go before the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs begin. The Edmonton Oilers are currently in the midst of attempting to capture their first division title since 1986–87. Although they haven’t officially clinched a playoff spot yet, it’s only a matter of time.
Once those playoffs begin, the Oilers will need all hands on deck if they want to defend their Western Conference title and make a third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
Of course, it won’t just be the big guns of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard carrying them there. Edmonton will need every player rolling, and one player who has potential to be a big impact piece is Vasily Podkolzin.
Let’s explore how “Podzilla” could be a major factor in April and May for the Oilers.
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A career year for Podkolzin
Podkolzin was acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in the summer of 2024 during the Dylan Holloway offer sheet saga. He was thought to be a low-risk/high-reward pickup. Drafted 10th overall by Vancouver in 2019, Podkolzin had struggled to make his mark on the West Coast, showing flashes of 10th overall talent, but never anything consistent.
At age 24, Podkolzin has finally seemed to put it all together at the NHL level. His 19 goals are tied for sixth on the team, and only one has come on the power play, showing his success at 5v5. He’s added 18 assists for an even 37 points in 80 games, and is a +16 on the year.
Prior to the 2025–26 season, Podkolzin signed a three-year, $8.85 contract with an AAV of $2.95M. Less than $3M a year for a nearly 40 point player is a tidy bargain.
Chemistry with the Oilers top guys
More importantly, Podkolzin has developed a crucial thing with both McDavid and Draisaitl: chemistry. Before Draisaitl’s injury, Podkolzin was his most regular winger, and the two of them saw great results together. In 450 minutes, the duo had an xGF% of 51 with a GF% of 55.6, and a CF% of 53.5.
After Draisaitl’s injury, Podkolzin began to get some minutes alongside McDavid and Matthew Savoie on the first line. He has worked well there, too. In 114 minutes with McDavid so far, they share a GF% of 75, an xGF% of 54.2, and a CF% of 54. Those are great numbers especially at 5v5. Podkolzin has also received some sparing time on the power play, but he has looked a little unsure of his role.
It’s been difficult at times for the Oilers to find wingers to play with McDavid and Draisaitl. To have a player that can succeed with not just one, but both players gives Edmonton a lot more options when it comes to line combinations. Come playoff time, this is significant when line matching becomes much more of a factor as series drag on.
Podkolzin’s ability to play with either 97 or 29 gives Kris Knoblauch additional flexibility. This allows Zach Hyman, Matt Savoie, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins to be placed throughout the lineup in positions of strength, and not a necessity to always have one with McDavid or Draisaitl.
Podkolzin has playoff-ready play style
Podkolzin’s successes, both this season and with McDavid and Draisaitl have stemmed from his playstyle. He’s not a giant, but at 6’1” and 190lbs, he’s plenty big enough to play a physical game. He has leaned into this more as the season has gone on. He’s a tenacious forechecker, able to crash the boards and dig out pucks to start to maintain a cycle.
He’s also begun to develop a sneaky good wrist shot, and has become much more confident at finding shooting lanes and taking advantage of them. Podkolzin is the prototypical playoff style player: fast and physical, responsible in all three zones, and able to put the puck in the net.
The hockey is different in the playoffs as we all know. The intensity gets cranked up in a major way, and you need players who will rise to that level. Podkolzin showed some flashes of that during last season’s playoffs, with three goals and seven assists in 22 games. He was just beginning to play a top six role then, but this season I believe we can expect much more from Podkolzin once Game 1 comes around.
Depth wins championships in the NHL. You need to have players beyond your stars who can step up into important roles and make plays. Podkolzin is a good bet to be one of those players. He plays a playoff style, has had a career year to this point and only seems to be building confidence. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him have a big playoffs as Edmonton looks for another deep run.
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