Oilers’ Vasily Podkolzin returning to Edmonton, coach says

Edmonton Oilers forward Vasily Podkolzin will be back with the team before their final pre-season game.

Head coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed to reporters on Sunday that Podkolzin will return to Edmonton on Tuesday night after taking a leave of absence following his father’s death.

He added that he expects the winger to suit up for pre-season action on Friday.

The Oilers announced that Podkolzin’s father, Alexander, passed away suddenly last week. He returned to his native Russia on a leave of absence to be with his family.

The 24-year-old signed a three-year, $8.85 million contract extension with the Oilers last Tuesday. The fifth-year NHLer was traded to Edmonton from the Vancouver Canucks ahead of last season and had 24 points over 82 games.