The Edmonton Oilers are set to sign Maxim Berezkin. Here’s what the KHL player offers and how he fits into the team’s roster.
The Edmonton Oilers are planning to add an exciting new player to their forward lineup for next season. Maxim Berezkin, a Russian winger, is ready to sign a one-year entry-level deal. The 24-year-old was picked in the fifth round, 138th overall, during the 2020 NHL Draft, and he is now making the move to North America after playing in the KHL with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.
For the Oilers, this move is a smart gamble on a player who has been improving his skills abroad and might be prepared to help out in the NHL now.
Why It Took Time for Berezkin to Sign
Berezkin’s journey to the NHL hasn’t been quick, and that was planned. The Oilers wanted him to come over as soon as last season, but he decided to stay in Russia for another year to keep developing. This choice was about being patient and focusing on long-term growth.
Instead of rushing into a less significant role in North America, Berezkin decided to work on his skills in a place he knew well with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. His aim was to become a more well-rounded player and take on more important responsibilities with his KHL team. Although his last season wasn’t as strong in terms of numbers—he got 32 points with 7 goals and 25 assists in 64 games—it followed a standout season where he scored 42 points and played a key part in helping his team win the Gagarin Cup.
That experience, especially playing in important playoff games and achieving success at a high level, probably helped him get ready for the NHL. The Oilers are now getting a more developed and experienced version of the player they drafted.
What Berezkin Offers to the Oilers
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches tall, Berezkin is a perfect example of a new-style power forward. He spends a lot of his time near the goal, where he uses his height and tough play to make room and win fights for the puck. This could make him an interesting choice for Edmonton, a team that usually focuses on skill but is trying to bring in more size and toughness to support its star players.
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