Vasily Podkolzin looked like a different player this season, just not in the way that grabs attention. He’s getting in on the forecheck harder, sticking with plays along the boards, and finding ways to turn nothing shifts into something to help move towards a win. Over the year, his game has come a long way. The Edmonton Oilers’ forward is reliable every time he hops over the boards. He’s not forcing it anymore, just making the right plays.
During the playoffs, he truly showed his value. When the rest of the team couldn’t seem to put a play together, he found a way to put the puck into the net, or make a valuable play to turn the momentum around back to the Oilers. Since the start of the season, it has shown that he wants to be here, and he wants to win with this group.
Analyzing Podkolzin’s growth over the season
Vasily Podkolzin had a regular season that felt a lot more steady than anything we’d seen from him before. He wasn’t trying to force plays; he was just playing a simple, direct game that actually fit his role. You could notice it night after night. He was finishing checks, getting in on plays, and doing the kind of work that doesn’t always stand out. However, this helps your line spend more time on the attack.
Since the start of 2026, he has taken part in five fights. One of these fights was in the playoffs against the Anaheim Ducks Jeffrey Viel, who seemed to have the Oilers’ number in physicality. That’s more than any other Oiler this season.
What stood out most to me over the course of the season was how much more comfortable Podkolzin looked as things went on. Early in the season, there were still moments where he’d rush plays or hesitate, but by the middle of the year, that started to change. He was reading the game better, making quicker decisions, and playing with a bit more confidence without overdoing it. You could see him start to anticipate plays instead of reacting too soon, especially along the boards and in the neutral zone.
He ended up putting up 19 goals and 18 assists for 37 points, while averaging 15 minutes and 22 seconds of ice time per game. These are all career highs for him. Nothing crazy on paper, but it lines up with the kind of player he was this year. He wasn’t relied on to produce, but when he got his chances, he made a difference.
More importantly, he held his own, didn’t look out of place, and started to become someone the coaches were comfortable using in all kinds of situations. That’s the kind of season that solidifies his place on a roster long term.
2025–26 Playoff performance
Vasily Podkolzin was one of those players in the playoffs who kept showing up in the right places. He was always around the puck, finishing checks, getting in on the forecheck, and making life annoying for the other team’s defence. In tight games, he didn’t look out of place at all. He kept things simple, made the safe play when it was there, and didn’t panic when the pressure was high.
As things went deeper, you could tell the trust was there. He kept getting his shifts, and nothing really changed about his game; that’s a good thing. He stuck to what was working, chipped pucks in when he had to, battled for space, and helped keep plays alive in the offensive end. It’s not the kind of stuff that blows up the scoresheet, but it’s exactly what teams need in the playoffs. Podkolzin played his role, and he played it well.
In the playoffs, he scored three goals and added three helpers for a total of six points in a 4–2 series loss to the Anaheim Ducks. He averaged 16:16 of ice time, with his highest being in game six with 18:46. He was a +5 and took one penalty all series, in the team’s defence of Anaheim forward Jeffrey Viel. Overall, he was third for points on the Oilers and was visibly the best player on the team through the six games.
Is his contract extension a bargain?
Podkolzin’s new contract looks great when you consider his play this season. He might not be a top producer, but you’re not paying him to be that guy. Every night, he brings energy, physicality, hard shifts, and the ability to hold his own in different situations,. You’re getting a lot more than the amount on his contract shows. Those are the kinds of players teams usually end up overpaying for in free agency, not locking in at a reasonable number.
Right before last season, just hours before the passing of his father, Podkolzin signed a three-year $8.85M deal. This was his first real contract signing. That means we have him for $2.95M per year until the end of the 2028–29 season. That is a big win.
What really makes it stand out is the timing. He’s just starting to figure things out, his game is trending in the right direction, and now you’ve got cost certainty while he continues to grow into that role. If he keeps building off this season, that contract is only going to look better with time. It gives the team flexibility, but it also rewards a player who has gained the trust of the coaching staff.
Podkolzin’s real impact
Podkolzin might not have come in as a big player pickup, but he’s turned into one of the better pickups made by Stan Bowman. He fits exactly what teams are always looking for: reliable, physical, and able to play his role without making things complicated. It’s not always about landing the biggest name. Sometimes it’s about finding the right piece, and Podkolzin has looked like that kind of addition all season long.
If he keeps trending the way he has, this is the type of move that only looks better over time. He’s still young, still improving, and already proving he can handle meaningful minutes when it matters. Those are the players that end up making a real difference on a team where “cup or bust” is the mentality. It’s early, but there’s a strong case that Podkolzin could go down as one of Bowman’s best pickups in his time with the Oilers.
Is he the most underrated forward on the Edmonton Oilers roster?
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