The Edmonton Oilers have made a strategic move ahead of the upcoming NHL season by acquiring forward Vasily Podkolzin from the Vancouver Canucks. The Oilers sent a 2025 fourth-round pick, previously acquired from the Ottawa Senators, to land the talented winger.
Vasily Podkolzin, the No. 10 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, joins the Oilers with high expectations. Although he recorded just two points in 19 games with the Canucks last season, he demonstrated his scoring ability with their AHL affiliate, tallying 15 goals and 28 points in 44 games. Over the course of his 137-game NHL career, Podkolzin has accumulated 18 goals and 35 points.
Cap Concerns Loom Large
This acquisition comes at a crucial time for the Oilers, who are currently navigating salary cap constraints and facing uncertainty regarding the futures of two key young players, Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. Broberg and Holloway have both received offer sheets from the St. Louis Blues—Broberg's for $4.58 million annually over two years and Holloway's for $2.29 million annually over the same period.
According to section 10.3 of the NHL collective bargaining agreement, the Oilers have until Tuesday to match these offer sheets or risk losing both players. Should Edmonton choose not to match the terms, the Blues are required to compensate the Oilers with a second-round pick for Broberg and a third-round pick for Holloway.
Adding to the complexity is Edmonton's current salary cap situation. The Oilers are more than $350,000 over the cap, making it a challenging task to accommodate both new additions and existing players under the salary cap. Podkolzin will earn $1 million annually over the next two years, and this new contract needs to be balanced against the team's overall financial health.
Offseason Moves Highlight Ambition
The Oilers have been busy this offseason, bolstering their lineup with the additions of forwards Viktor Arvidsson and Jeff Skinner, along with defenseman Josh Brown. In addition, the team has brought back several familiar faces, including Connor Brown, Adam Henrique, Mattias Janmark, and Corey Perry, while re-signing defenseman Troy Stetcher.
The team’s aggressive roster moves signal a clear intent to build on their recent successes. The Oilers recently lost in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers, and the additions of Podkolzin and other key players could be the final pieces needed to push them over the top.
Blues Present Challenge
Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues' position in this equation cannot be ignored. With over $7 million in cap space, the Blues have the financial flexibility to make a strong push for both Broberg and Holloway, adding an extra layer of pressure on the Oilers' front office.
For the Oilers, the decision on whether to match the offer sheets for Broberg and Holloway will not only impact the team’s short-term competitiveness but also its long-term salary cap structure. Opting to retain these young talents could limit their flexibility in future transactions and signings.
The coming days will be crucial for Edmonton's management as they weigh these complex options. Balancing the need to remain competitive while adhering to salary cap constraints will require astute decision-making and perhaps, further roster adjustments.
In summary, the acquisition of Vasily Podkolzin marks a significant step in the Oilers' ongoing quest for greatness. However, the looming salary cap challenges and the uncertainty surrounding key roster players like Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway underscore the complexity and urgency of the decisions ahead.