Sunday at 7: 00 p. m. ET, the Edmonton Oilers recalled centre Josh Samanski from the Bakersfield Condors on an emergency basis and entered Vasily Podkolzin on the second line for their matchup against Vegas — a move driven by game-day injury uncertainty and short-term depth needs.
Edmonton Oilers Recall Josh Samanski Under Emergency Conditions
The Oilers formally recalled Josh Samanski on an emergency basis from the AHL affiliate Bakersfield Condors. The emergency recall was announced ahead of the team’s game against the Vegas roster and Samanski was listed on the morning-skate lineup as the fourth-line center.
Samanski’s recall will not count against Edmonton’s remaining regular-season recalls, and the move restores a center option in the bottom-six while the club evaluates game-day availability for other players.
Samanski had been reassigned to the Condors on Friday and was brought back under the emergency condition after that reassignment.
Samanski filled a fourth-line role in Edmonton’s March 3rd win over the Ottawa Senators but has not had an extended NHL tenure since early February. He played the first five games of his NHL career following a late-January call-up and recorded two assists. In the AHL this season, Samanski has 31 points in 45 games. He also represented Team Germany at the 2026 Winter Olympics, contributing two points in five games.
Vasily Podkolzin Slotted on Second Line for Vegas Matchup
Morning-skate lines posted by Edmonton’s staff show Vasily Podkolzin placed on the second line with Leon Draisaitl and Kirby Roslovic. Coach Kris Knoblauch and the staff opted to add a more physical presence to each forward line for the game; Podkolzin is the designated physical forward on the second line.
The full forward group from the skate read: RNH–McDavid–Hyman; Podkolzin–Draisaitl–Roslovic; Savoie–Dickinson–Kapanen; Dach–Henrique–Frederic, with Samanski slotted on the fourth line. The change reflects a deliberate lineup choice for the matchup against Vegas.
Coach Kris Knoblauch Lists Ekholm, Henrique as Game-Time Decisions
Head coach Kris Knoblauch said Mattias Ekholm and Adam Henrique are game-time decisions for the contest. Ekholm had one of his best performances of the year in the recent game against Carolina, and his availability — along with Henrique’s status — directly shaped the emergency recall and the evening’s lineup shuffling.
With Henrique listed as a game-time decision due to an undisclosed injury, the Oilers turned to depth pieces and recent acquisitions to stabilize the bottom-six, while relying on Podkolzin to add physicality higher in the order.
Sunday’s matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights is scheduled for 7: 00 p. m. ET. If Adam Henrique is ruled out, Josh Samanski is expected to serve as the fourth-line center for the game.
