Oilers prospect Maxim Beryozkin wins KHL Gagarin Cup with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, eligible to sign NHL contract

It makes the 23-year-old eligible to sign a contract with the Oilers, and could, in theory, join the team for the NHL playoffs.

Oilers general manager Stan Bowman said last month the team was impressed with his progress as a prospect, and were working to sign him to an NHL contract.

“We’ve been in touch with his representatives, and when his season finished, we’re going to buckle down on that,” he said during an appearance on Oilers NOW. “We’ve paid close attention, been impressed with him.

“He’s a little bit older, good-sized kid, skilled, makes plays, comfortable with the puck, and you can never have too many of those guys.”

Oilersnation prospect guru Bruce Curlock has raved about Beryozkin’s game, calling him “an intriguing prospect who certainly could fill a role with the Oilers soon.”

The Russian appeared in 66 regular-season games this year, notching career highs in goals, assists and points, with 15, 27 and 42, respectively. Averaging 2.2 shots on goal per game, he also saw an average of 15:55 in ice time per game.

In the playoffs, he shots on goal per game remained the same, but his average ice-time climbed to 17:43 per game. He also ramped up his physicality, laying 2.1 hits per game in the playoffs versus .89 in the regular season. Six of his nine playoff goals came at even-strength, with his other three coming on the power play.

He has size on his frame as a right-shot, right-winger, standing at 6’3”, 211 lbs.

The Oilers have a lack of right-wing prospects in the system, currently highlighted by Matt Savoie — who could really play any of the three forward positions — the recently signed Quinn Hutson, and James Stefan, who is likely a long-shot to play in the NHL.