In a move aimed at bolstering their forward depth, the Edmonton Oilers have acquired forward Vasily Podkolzin from the Vancouver Canucks. The Oilers sent a 2025 fourth-round pick, previously acquired from the Ottawa Senators, to the Canucks in exchange for the young forward who was the No. 10 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Adding Podkolzin to the roster brings a mix of potential and proven talent. At 22, he has had flashes of brilliance but has yet to fully establish himself in the NHL. Last season, he registered two points in 19 games with the Canucks and scored 15 goals and 28 points in 44 games with their AHL affiliate. Over his 137 career NHL games, Podkolzin has accumulated 18 goals and 35 points.
Cap Constraints and Immediate Challenges
The Oilers aren’t making moves in a vacuum. This acquisition comes as they navigate significant salary cap constraints and uncertainties surrounding the futures of key young players, Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. Both players received two-year offer sheets from the St. Louis Blues, with Broberg’s deal worth $4.58 million annually and Holloway’s worth $2.29 million annually. According to section 10.3 of the NHL collective bargaining agreement, the Oilers have until Tuesday to match these offer sheets.
The stakes are high for Edmonton. If they do not match St. Louis' terms, they will lose Broberg and Holloway but receive compensations of a second-round pick for Broberg and a third-round pick for Holloway from the Blues. This dilemma further complicates Edmonton's already tight cap situation, as they are currently more than $350,000 over the cap.
Podkolzin's Role and the Bigger Picture
Acquiring Podkolzin potentially adds a valuable piece to Edmonton’s puzzle, particularly considering his manageable contract of $1 million annually over the next two years. However, the Oilers will need to maneuver carefully to ensure they remain cap-compliant. Given Podkolzin’s scoring ability in the AHL and glimpses of his NHL potential, he could prove to be a crucial player as Edmonton seeks depth scoring and more dynamic forward lines.
Offseason Moves and Recent Performance
This offseason has seen the Oilers making several key additions. Alongside Podkolzin, they welcomed forwards Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner, and defenseman Josh Brown to their ranks. The management also brought back familiar faces like Connor Brown, Adam Henrique, Mattias Janmark, and Corey Perry, as well as re-signing defenseman Troy Stetcher. These moves follow the Oilers' heart-wrenching loss in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers, signaling a clear intent to fortify their roster for another deep playoff run.
The Blues' Position
While the Oilers scramble to address cap issues and retain their young talents, the St. Louis Blues are in a relatively comfortable position with over $7 million in cap space. The Blues’ cap situation allows them the flexibility to make aggressive offers, such as those extended to Broberg and Holloway, potentially altering the balance of power across the league.
For the Oilers, the immediate focus will be on managing their salary cap and making strategic decisions regarding their roster. The next few days will be crucial as they decide whether to match the Blues' offer sheets and how to integrate Podkolzin effectively. With a busy offseason and pressing financial challenges, Edmonton’s moves in the coming days could have significant implications for their prospects in the upcoming NHL season.