The Edmonton Oilers have added some depth up front.
Edmonton acquired forward Vasily Podkolzin from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round draft pick that was originally acquired from Ottawa, the Oilers announced Sunday.
The move comes less than 48 hours before the Oilers have to decide whether to match St. Louis Blues contract offers for defenceman Philip Broberg and forward Dylan Holloway.
Podkolzin, 24, had two assists in 19 games for the Canucks last season and 15 goals and 13 assists in 44 games for AHL Abbotsford.
The Russian has 18 goals and 17 assists in 135 career NHL games with the Canucks.
“We would like to thank Vasily for his time here with the Canucks,” Cancks general manager Patrik Allvin said in a statement. “Podz put in a lot of work both on and off the ice and we wish him all the best in Edmonton.”
The Canucks picked Podkolzin 10th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Vancouver signed Podkolzin to a two-year, $2-million extension in April.
In a surprising move, the Edmonton Oilers have acquired highly-touted prospect Vasily Podkolzin from the Vancouver Canucks. The 20-year-old Russian forward was selected 10th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft and has been considered one of the top young talents in the league.
Podkolzin is known for his strong two-way game, excellent puck-handling skills, and physicality on the ice. He has shown great potential in his development and has been a key player for the Canucks’ AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Canucks.
The Oilers are hoping that Podkolzin can provide a boost to their forward depth and help them compete for a playoff spot in the tough Western Conference. With his combination of skill and physicality, Podkolzin could be a valuable asset for Edmonton as they look to make a deep postseason run.
It will be interesting to see how Podkolzin adjusts to his new team and how he can contribute to their success on the ice. Oilers fans are surely excited to see what the young Russian forward can bring to the table and how he can help improve their chances of winning games.
Overall, the acquisition of Vasily Podkolzin is a bold move by the Edmonton Oilers and could pay off big dividends for the team in the long run. Only time will tell how successful this trade will be, but one thing is for certain – Podkolzin’s arrival in Edmonton has created a buzz of excitement among fans and players alike.