Former Vancouver Canuck Vasily Podkolzin Felt Blindsided by New Edmonton Oilers Contract
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images
Former Vancouver Canucks forward Vasily Podkolzin said recently that he was a bit surprised with the salary the Edmonton Oilers gave him on his contract extension.After an impressive performance throughout the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers rewarded former Vancouver Canucks forward Vasily Podkolzin with a three-year contract extension starting in the 2026-27 season that’ll pay him just under $3 million annually.”PODZ‼️
The #Oilers have signed forward Vasily Podkolzin to a three-year contract extension with an AAV of $2.95 million.” the Oilers said on X in late September.
For Podkolzin, it was a pretty big jump in pay, going from $1 million US – which he’ll be earning this season, all the way up to $2.95 million ahead of the 2026-27 campaign and recently, the ex-Canuck admitted his was surprised, in a good way, with the amount he was given.
Vasily Podkolzin admits he was surprised by amount Edmonton Oilers gave him
In a recent interview with Daria Tuboltseva of RG.org, Vasily Podkolzin reflected on his new contract extension in Edmonton, saying it came together pretty quickly, with the Oilers & his representation beginning talks on the deal about three weeks ago.
Podkolzin added that he was thinking that he was going to be offered a lower number than the $2.95 million US that the Edmonton Oilers ended up giving up and once the offer was formally presented to the former Vancouver Canucks, he replied with an immediate ‘yes’.
“I thought the number would be lower. They told me there was interest and that they wanted to sign me for multiple years. Usually when they say ‘multiple,’ it means three or more. After that, we had two more calls, and last night (Monday, Sept. 22) they phoned me for the final time. They asked me ‘yes or no,’ and I immediately said yes. It all came together pretty easily.” Podkolzin said to RG.org.
Podkolzin, 24, was drafted tenth overall by the Vancouver Canucks in 2019 and went on to spent three seasons with the organization after making the jump to North America, putting up 35 points in 137 games with the big club.
Last summer, in order to avoid losing the Moscow native for nothing on the waiver wire, Vancouver Canucks General Manager Patrik Allvin decided to trade Vasily Podkolzin to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.After putting up 24 points in the regular season, along with ten in 22 Stanley Cup Playoff games, Podkolzin is hoping to produce even more for the Oilers this year, whether he’s playing in a top-six role, potentially alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, or in the bottom-six.
Previously on CanucksDaily
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Former Vancouver Canuck Vasily Podkolzin Felt Blindsided by New Edmonton Oilers Contract
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