The Edmonton Oilers have traded fourth-round draft pick in 2025 to the Vancouver Canucks. In exchange, the Oilers are receiving forward Vasily Podkolzin.
A Trade North of the Border
🔁 TRADE 🔁
The #Oilers have acquired forward Vasily Podkolzin from Vancouver in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round draft pick that was originally acquired from Ottawa.#LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/kS8aHMDpOl
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) August 18, 2024
Podkolzin has played in parts of three NHL seasons with the Canucks. However, the forward has failed to replicate the success he had in his rookie season. In 79 games in the 2021-22 season, Podkolzin scored 14 goals. Since, he has only scored four goals, none of which came last season.
Oilers Make Trade With Offer Sheets Looming
It is unclear at this time if this trade has any connection to the offer sheets tendered by the St. Louis Blues this week to Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg. If the Oilers lose Holloway, Podkolzin could step into that role in his place. The Oilers will have until early this week to determine if they will match either offers.
Canucks Extend, Then Trade
Podkolzin agreed to a two-year extension shortly before the playoffs began. This suggested that Podkolzin was part of the future plans for the Canucks.
“We would like to thank Vasily for his time here with the Canucks,” said team general manager, Patrik Allvin. “Podz put in a lot of work both on and off the ice and we wish him all the best in Edmonton.”
The Canucks now have seven draft picks in the upcoming 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
Time Will Provide Answers
There appears to be some unknowns with this trade for the parties involved. For the Oilers, time will tell if the trade has anything to do with the offer sheets. Likewise, time will tell why the Canucks would trade a player a few months after extending him. Whatever the reason, this certainly gives hockey fans something else to talk about as we inch closer to training camp.
Main photo: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
