The expiration date on the Vancouver Canucks first-round pick in the 2019 NHL entry draft has officially expired. Vancouver’s General Manager Patrik Allvin announced late Sunday afternoon that the club had traded Vasily Podkolzin to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft.

In his draft year, Podkolzin was expected to go within the top three selections. However, he slipped all the way to 10th overall, where the Canucks selected him as the home city of the 2019 NHL entry draft.

Podkolzin, 23, has spent the last three seasons with the franchise. He had an impressive rookie season, accumulating 14 goals and 26 points with a plus-seven rating in 79 games.

In the two seasons following his rookie year, Podkolzin has struggled to make himself a mainstay in the Canucks lineup. In 2022-2023, the Russian forward played 39 games, scoring four goals and three assists for seven points with a minus-five rating.

Last season, Podkolzin would suit up in just 19 regular season games. He failed to find the back of the net but finished with two assists on the year.

After the winger additions made in the offseason, Podkolzin found himself on the outside looking in. The club added wingers Jake DeBrusk, Danton Heinen, Kiefer Sherwood and Daniel Sprong, leaving minimal if any, room in the Canucks depth for Podkolzin to play.

After the trade, Allvin had this to say about Podkolzin:

“We would like to thank Vasily for his time here with the Canucks,” said Allvin. “Podz put in a lot of work both on and off the ice and we wish him all the best in Edmonton.”

The Oilers find themselves in a salary crunch after the St. Louis Blues extended an offer sheet to both their restricted free agents, Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. After a busy offseason, the new Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman makes this move to help solidify Edmonton’s depth in the hope of repeating last year’s Stanley Cup final run.