Podkolzin making Vancouver Canucks management look silly amidst breakout season
It was a decision that seemed odd at the time.
And in hindsight, it just looks plain reckless.
Following their most successful season in over a decade in 2023-24, the Vancouver Canucks traded Vasily Podkolzin to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick back on Aug, 18, 2024.
At the time, Podkolzin took a step backwards after a successful rookie debut with the Canucks in 2021-22. His game progressed nicely towards the end of that season, and he seemingly had all the makings of a hardworking, middle-six winger.
Over the next two seasons, Podkolzin struggled with confidence and couldn’t find a regular spot in the Canucks lineup. He played in just two of the Canucks’ 13 postseason games in 2024 before he was shipped to Edmonton.
Now? Podkolzin is thriving with the Oilers, while the Canucks are entering a rebuild.
You know what would be nice to have in a rebuild? A 24-year-old homegrown talent who’s about to enter his prime. That’s exactly where Podkolzin is in his development.
And they love him in Edmonton.
Vasily Podkolzin is on the rise.
The @EdmontonOilers forward has relentless work ethic.
Has 9-7-16 at 5v5 this season.
Kills penalties.
Leads EDM with 102 hits.
Solid addition, since coming over from Vancouver for a 4th round pick. pic.twitter.com/Cheq1lpBOu— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) December 17, 2025
So far this season with the Oilers, Podkolzin has nine goals and 16 points in 34 games. All of his points have come at five-on-five. His nine even-strength goals are second on the Oilers, trailing only Connor McDavid.
If Podkolzin posted similar numbers with the Canucks, he would lead the team in both five-on-five goals and points.
Of course, Podkolzin benefits from spending most of his five-on-five shifts alongside Leon Draisaitl.
However, his inflated production doesn’t excuse the Canucks for giving up on him.
In fact, that same fourth-round pick they traded for him, they dealt back to Edmonton in the deal that saw Evander Kane join the Canucks.
The 34-year-old Vancouver native has picked up his game after a putrid start, but there shouldn’t be much debate that Podkolzin would be a better fit on the Canucks roster. Kane is destined to be traded, and the Canucks would probably be lucky to get another fourth-round pick back for him, assuming they don’t retain any salary.
Outside of Kane, the Canucks prioritized rostering other veteran players in their 2024-25 opening night lineup in a misguided attempt at building a win-now team.
Part of the reason why Vancouver gave up on Podkolzin was because the team signed wingers Danton Heinen and Daniel Sprong during 2024 free agency. Heinen struggled and was traded in the Marcus Pettersson deal. He’s spent half of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL.
Daniel Sprong lasted nine games in Vancouver before being traded to the Seattle Kraken for a metaphorical bag of pucks. He’s currently in the KHL.
Even though Podkolzin will never live up to his draft slot of 10th overall in 2019, he’s a useful NHL player who’s beloved by his teammates.Ā
No matter how high or low you are on Podkolzin’s potential, it’s clear the Canucks would have been better off with him, and the fourth-round pick they gave up for him, over any of Kane, Heinen or Sprong.