Edmonton Oilers’ Vasily Podkolzin on Knoblauch’s Exit, Babcock’s Demands, and Future Goals – The Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are pivoting into a new era with winger Vasily Podkolzin gearing up for a major role. The 25-year-old forward is coming off a breakout 2025-26 campaign where he skated in all 82 regular-season games, netting a career-high 19 goals and 37 points.

In this translated interview, originally appearing on popular Russian website Sport-Express, Podkolzin talked about the locker room reaction to Mike Babcock’s hiring, the team’s response to their early postseason exit, and his offseason padel battles against Connor McDavid.

** You can read the original interview in Podkolzin’s native Russian on Sport-Express by Mikhail Zislis here**

Not long ago, the Oilers announced an important change when they hired Babcock as the team’s head coach. Rather than for his triumphs, Babcock made headlines in his last job with the Columbus Blue Jackets for asking to see players’ phones. “I intentionally left it in the locker room,” Podkolzin explains. “Now I guess I’ll have to carry it around with me. But seriously, we all just treat it as a joke at this point. It’s already a meme in itself.”

Babcock is a winner, but he is also somewhat of a controversial figure. “I’ve heard all kinds of different things from a lot of people,” Podkolzin replies about his new coach. “In North America, people have a slightly different mentality, and everything gets taken so defensively. Honestly, I think back in Russia, conversations like that wouldn’t even be happening.

The most important thing is that he manages the team properly; it’s very possible he can bring something new to the table. We need a shake-up. We really hope Mike will help us. He is a legend of world hockey, so I’ll be glad to work with him.”

Working under Babcock may be hard for any team. “It’s possible that he will be tough in certain moments,” Podkolzin admits. “But that’s what we need. Mike spoke with the team leaders, and I think he has a plan on how to utilize us.” Earlier, the Oilers played under Kris Knoblauch, who was dismissed after the 2025-26 campaign. ”It’s a dual situation and a mix of feelings. This is a coach who took us to the Finals twice.”

“I really developed under him, and he gave me room to play, so it’s hard for me to evaluate the situation objectively. Time is ticking, and our leaders are in their prime. That is both a curse and an advantage for coaches. The pressure and responsibility for the result are colossal because that’s what a coach gets paid for. I am very grateful to Kris and wrote him a message of thanks after his dismissal. Our team is entering a new phase, and I hope it ends in a victory.”

After two consecutive runs to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Oilers suffered a first-round exit at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks. “Anaheim plays with passion and youth. Dropping out in the first round can be viewed in different ways. You can pour ashes on your head and cry, or you can draw conclusions. Our leaders will get more time off now and will recover well for the new season.”

Such long seasons must have taken their toll on the Oilers. “There were injuries,” the forward says. ”The curse and the blessing of Edmonton is that the team is built around a few leaders. When they are at their peak, we fly, but if there are injuries, the problems begin.

What I didn’t like was that when we were in a tough spot, there wasn’t a person who stepped up and took on the leadership role. I didn’t do it, for example. Other players needed to step up in order to grow, but that didn’t happen. Now, the summer is very long, (so) we have time. Still, I think it’s better to play until June than to get knocked out in the first round.”

In the offseason, the Oilers made some acquisitions, and the summer work was good for the franchise. “It’s going to help us,” Podkolzin says about the Oilers’ offseason activity so far. “Good reinforcement in areas that demanded it.” Among other moves, Edmonton inked goalie Frederik Andersen to a one-year deal. “He is an experienced goaltender who just won the Stanley Cup. I hope he’s going to help us.”

Podkolzin knows what surprised him in the summer. “Leo Carlsson’s contract,” he says firmly. “There was a huge spike in salaries this summer. That’s surprising. On the other hand, it shows that the league is growing, developing, and the financial capabilities are there to pay players that kind of money.”

Carlsson is now making more than Connor McDavid. “They are young guys with a different mentality. Perhaps the money will give them wings. Right now, it’s a major advance, and he needs to justify it and work for it. It’s good for him, though; he’s set up for the rest of his life,” he adds with a smile.

In the offseason, Podkolzin is also playing padel to support his form. However, he doesn’t consider himself the best padel player in Edmonton. “There’s McDavid and (Ryan) Nugent-Hopkins,” Pokdolzin admits. “They are on another level. I’ve seen how they play in the offseason. Their level is excellent.”

The Oilers forward is also following the FIFA World Cup. “I follow it and watch the matches. Naturally, it’s physically difficult to follow the night games, but I watch the evening ones.” It looks like he loves underdogs. “Lately I was rooting for Egypt. They almost won,” Podkolzin says with a smile.

In the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate, he’s more on the Portuguese’s side, although he isn’t going too hard on him for the current tournament. “It comes down to a single tournament. This is professional sports, and it’s not for me to judge. The man broke every record, and I can’t say anything bad about him. As for Messi, he has a good national team; it’s a bit stronger than Portugal’s. But he works wonders.”

“I think France will win the tournament, but I’m waiting for some kind of sensation.” Now, with Podkolzin having an extra year of experience and the team strengthened over the offseason, both on the ice and behind the bench, it might be time for the Oilers to become that surprise as well.