On the day the Edmonton Oilers acquired Vasily Podkolzin, the only real question about the winger involved offence. No matter a winger’s size, speed or two-way acumen, forwards are expected to move the needle offensively. By the time the Vancouver Canucks dealt him, management felt like they had their answer.

The Edmonton Oilers have worked hard to become a defensively tougher squad over the last couple of seasons. Their efforts have yet to translate to a Stanley Cup, as they fell to the Florida Panthers two years in a row,