{"id":125928,"date":"2026-07-11T17:22:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T17:22:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/125928\/"},"modified":"2026-07-11T17:22:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T17:22:09","slug":"edmonton-oilers-vasily-podkolzin-on-knoblauchs-exit-babcocks-demands-and-future-goals-the-hockey-writers-edmonton-oilers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/125928\/","title":{"rendered":"Edmonton Oilers\u2019 Vasily Podkolzin on Knoblauch\u2019s Exit, Babcock\u2019s Demands, and Future Goals – The Hockey Writers – Edmonton Oilers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Edmonton Oilers are pivoting into a new era with winger Vasily Podkolzin<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

In this translated interview, originally appearing on popular Russian website Sport-Express, Podkolzin talked about the locker room reaction to Mike Babcock\u2019s hiring, the team\u2019s response to their early postseason exit, and his offseason padel battles against Connor McDavid.<\/p>\n

** You can read the original interview in Podkolzin\u2019s native Russian on Sport-Express by Mikhail Zislis here<\/a>**<\/p>\n

Not long ago, the Oilers announced an important change when they hired Babcock as the team\u2019s head coach<\/a>. Rather than for his triumphs, Babcock made headlines in his last job with the Columbus Blue Jackets for asking to see players\u2019 phones<\/a>. \u201cI intentionally left it in the locker room,\u201d Podkolzin explains. \u201cNow I guess I\u2019ll have to carry it around with me. But seriously, we all just treat it as a joke at this point. It\u2019s already a meme in itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"VasilyEdmonton Oilers right winger Vasily Podkolzin celebrates a goal on San Jose Sharks goalie Alex Nedeljkovic (Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

Babcock is a winner, but he is also somewhat of a controversial figure. \u201cI\u2019ve heard all kinds of different things from a lot of people,\u201d Podkolzin replies about his new coach. \u201cIn North America, people have a slightly different mentality, and everything gets taken so defensively. Honestly, I think back in Russia, conversations like that wouldn\u2019t even be happening.<\/p>\n

The most important thing is that he manages the team properly; it\u2019s 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\u2019ll be glad to work with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Working under Babcock may be hard for any team. \u201cIt\u2019s possible that he will be tough in certain moments,\u201d Podkolzin admits. \u201cBut that\u2019s what we need. Mike spoke with the team leaders, and I think he has a plan on how to utilize us.\u201d Earlier, the Oilers played under Kris Knoblauch<\/a>, who was dismissed after the 2025-26 campaign. \u201dIt\u2019s a dual situation and a mix of feelings. This is a coach who took us to the Finals twice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI really developed under him, and he gave me room to play, so it\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

After two consecutive runs to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Oilers suffered a first-round exit at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks. \u201cAnaheim 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Such long seasons must have taken their toll on the Oilers. \u201cThere were injuries,\u201d the forward says. \u201dThe 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.<\/p>\n

What I didn\u2019t like was that when we were in a tough spot, there wasn\u2019t a person who stepped up and took on the leadership role. I didn\u2019t do it, for example. Other players needed to step up in order to grow, but that didn\u2019t happen. Now, the summer is very long, (so) we have time. Still, I think it\u2019s better to play until June than to get knocked out in the first round.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the offseason, the Oilers made some acquisitions, and the summer work was good for the franchise. \u201cIt\u2019s going to help us,\u201d Podkolzin says about the Oilers\u2019 offseason activity so far. \u201cGood reinforcement in areas that demanded it.\u201d Among other moves, Edmonton inked goalie Frederik Andersen to a one-year deal<\/a>. \u201cHe is an experienced goaltender who just won the Stanley Cup. I hope he\u2019s going to help us.\u201d<\/p>\n

Podkolzin knows what surprised him in the summer. \u201cLeo Carlsson\u2019s contract<\/a>,\u201d he says firmly. \u201cThere was a huge spike in salaries this summer. That\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"VasilyVasily Podkolzin, Edmonton Oilers (Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)<\/p>\n

Carlsson is now making more than Connor McDavid. \u201cThey are young guys with a different mentality. Perhaps the money will give them wings. Right now, it\u2019s a major advance, and he needs to justify it and work for it. It\u2019s good for him, though; he\u2019s set up for the rest of his life,\u201d he adds with a smile.<\/p>\n

In the offseason, Podkolzin is also playing padel to support his form. However, he doesn\u2019t consider himself the best padel player in Edmonton. \u201cThere\u2019s McDavid and (Ryan) Nugent-Hopkins,\u201d Pokdolzin admits. \u201cThey are on another level. I\u2019ve seen how they play in the offseason. Their level is excellent.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Oilers forward is also following the FIFA World Cup. \u201cI follow it and watch the matches. Naturally, it\u2019s physically difficult to follow the night games, but I watch the evening ones.\u201d It looks like he loves underdogs. \u201cLately I was rooting for Egypt. They almost won,\u201d Podkolzin says with a smile.<\/p>\n

In the Messi vs. Ronaldo debate, he\u2019s more on the Portuguese\u2019s side, although he isn\u2019t going too hard on him for the current tournament. \u201cIt comes down to a single tournament. This is professional sports, and it\u2019s not for me to judge. The man broke every record, and I can\u2019t say anything bad about him. As for Messi, he has a good national team; it\u2019s a bit stronger than Portugal\u2019s. But he works wonders.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think France will win the tournament, but I\u2019m waiting for some kind of sensation.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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