Bob Stauffer warned Oilers fans that they shouldn’t be shocked if Edmonton signs a winger from the KHL during this offseason, and this makes sense with the current situation. Stan Bowman’s team needs some improvement.
The suggestion came last Friday. The KHL playoffs just ended, and the player we are talking about, Maxim Berezkin, is now available to discuss joining NHL teams for his entry-level contract.
He’s not just any player. Stauffer described him as a winger who is really tall at 6 feet 4 inches and weighs 212 pounds. He has won the Gagarin Cup twice with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv, and his agent is Dan Milstein.
That part is important. Milstein has a lot of Russian players who go to the NHL, and Edmonton already has good connections in that area.
The Hockey News Hub also shared the same news on Friday morning, noting that the Oilers player might sign his entry-level contract as soon as his current KHL deal ends.
So, what does this mean? Edmonton’s regular season ended with a record of 41 wins, 30 losses, and 11 overtime losses, placing them 14th overall, and they lost to Anaheim in the first round after six games. Their chances are getting limited.
Stan Bowman is looking for some new talent to improve the lower part of his team. Kris Knoblauch relied a lot on his top players all season. The Oilers scored 282 goals but also let in 269, and their extra scoring disappeared when Anaheim started to apply more pressure.
A winger who is 6 feet 4 inches and has experience in KHL playoffs isn’t the ultimate solution for the top lines. He’s more of a player focused on his size, protecting the puck, and staying strong along the walls in tough situations.
Edmonton ended up second in the Pacific division, but the -13 collapse in the first round against the Ducks really showed that the lower part of their team needed more toughness.
Berezkin, who may also be spelled as Beryozkin, fits the size that Bowman has been trying to find since he became the general manager. His 212 pounds gives him an advantage when cycling the puck, making him seem even larger than he is.
The problem? KHL forwards often impress scouts in Russia but struggle to keep up with the speed of the NHL. Yegor Sharangovich made it, but many others failed.
The Oilers have limited money to spend, but a beginner’s contract is affordable. The real issue is if Knoblauch feels comfortable using a new winger in the lower lines from the start, or if he will keep him in Bakersfield for more practice.
No matter what, Bowman has made a statement. The Oilers are still looking for players, and they are ready to explore options from the KHL.
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