Edmonton Oilers prospect Maxim Beryozkin signs in the KHL

It has been the busy week for Russian forward Maxim Beryozkin, who finished playoffs, and recently became a KHL champion. After securing the Gagarin Cup, the forward also became elgible to sign an NHL contract with the Edmonton Oilers. He has signed a contract, but its a KHL one.

It’s not the news the Oilers organization wants to hear though as its being reported that the forward has signed a one-year KHL extension to remain in Russia for the 2025–26 season. It is important to note that the report remains unconfirmed by Yaroslavl Lokomotiv as of writing.

What the vision was for Beryozkin

With many media and hockey insiders expecting the big Russian to sign with the Oilers for next season it comes as a bit of a surprise.

It was expected that the Lokomotiv player would challenge for an NHL role next season in the Oilers bottom six. We here at the Oil Rig even had Beryozkin ranked as the third best performing prospect in the Oilers pipeline for the 2024–25 season.

Initially drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL draft, Beryozkin had a career year for the Russian based Yaroslavl Lokomotiv this past year. He became a regular top six forward, and posted career highs in goals (15), assists (27), and points (42).

He also proved to be a pace driver in the playoffs appearing in all 21 games of Lokomotiv’s playoff run, posting 14 points and finding some clear clutch and offensive poise.

Known much more for his physicality, and compete that defined his more power forward game, he showed good offensive instincts development this past season.

The Oilers will retain Beryozkin’s rights, and there is a possibility that he signs after the conclusion of next season. If he continues his upward momentum and has another career year, it is possible that we see him in an Oilers uniform come 2026–27, but it is very much a wait and see.