Could The Oilers Have Their Own Sam Bennett In Waiting?
As the Edmonton Oilers continue to mold their roster into a perennial contender, one under-the-radar player could be following the blueprint of a current playoff adversary – Sam Bennett. That player is Vasily Podkolzin.
Podkolzin, selected 10th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2019 NHL Draft, was sent to the Oilers in a trade dump this past summer. He had a so-so regular season but has played a pivotal role in the playoffs, becoming a regular and a key part of the team's overall forward depth.
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Podkolzin has had a relatively quiet start to his NHL career in terms of offensive production, but there are signs of a real player here. His best season came as a rookie with Vancouver in 2021–22, where he posted 14 goals and 26 points in 79 games. Since then, his offensive numbers have dipped. It's an interesting trend we've seen before, namely in Bennett, who dropped off as a member of the Calgary Flames but has exploded for the Florida Panthers during this playoff run.
Much like Bennett's early career, he wasn't a standout offensive threat either. Drafted fourth overall by the Flames in 2014, Bennett had a 36-point season early on but struggled to break through consistently. It wasn't until a trade to Florida that Bennett began to gain recognition for his gritty, high-motor game and timely scoring. Before this season, he had never reached 50 points in a season. This summer, he's expected to land a massive contract extension, some insiders peg it might be well beyond his actual value.
The risk in overpaying someone like Bennett after a massive season is real. If the Panthers do it, or another team offers him a huge unrestricted free agent deal, they could come to regret it. Still, it begs the question about what the Oilers have in Podkolzin and if they should invest in what he might become.
Both players were top-10 picks. Both were moved on from by their original clubs after failing to meet offensive expectations. And both bring a rugged, playoff-suited style of hockey that doesn't always show up on the stat sheet but becomes invaluable in the post-season.
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Podkolzin hasn't reached the offensive levels Bennett has yet, but his career is six seasons younger, and he's trending in the right direction.
Podkolzin finds himself in a similar situation to the one Bennett was in just a few years ago. While he may never evolve into a 30-goal scorer, neither has Bennett. Regardless, Bennett is poised to cash in during free agency thanks to strong playoff performances and a reputation as a gamer. First to arrive at the rink and often last to leave, 'gamer' is a great way to define Podkolzin as a player. Knowing what they have and what his potential could be, the Oilers will want to avoid him ever really cashing in big after a strong run.
Vasily Podkolzin celebrates with Corey Perry after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the second period in Game 4 of the 2025 Stanley Cup final. (Jim Rassol-Imagn Images)
Podkolzin, under contract for another season in Edmonton, could see a bigger role in 2025. If he puts up a 20-goal, 45-point campaign, it might force the Oilers to make a decision: invest early in the 6-foot-1 winger or risk having to overpay down the line, just as the Panthers may soon have to do with Bennett.
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It's far from a guarantee, but Podkolzin has the tools, the tenacity, and the playoff makeup to become Edmonton's version of Sam Bennett. All it might take is one breakout year to change the conversation.
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