Maxim Berezkin is heading to Edmonton, and Kris Knoblauch might have discovered a solid winger for the Oilers to consider for next season.
A report released on Tuesday mentioned that Berezkin is likely to sign a one-year entry-level deal with the Oilers after his season in the KHL wraps up. This is an important step for a team looking for affordable players to support its stars.
Berezkin is not a stranger to the Oilers. Stan Bowman talked about him last summer, calling him a talented player who is good with the puck. This shows that the Oilers have been interested in him for quite some time.
This patience is important. Berezkin decided to stay with Lokomotiv for this season and managed to score 32 points in 64 KHL games and added 2 more points in the first round of the playoffs.
His biggest advantage could be his size. He is 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 212 pounds, so he isn’t just a player who relies on skill for Edmonton’s style of play.
There is also a notable track record of his performance. In the last three seasons of the KHL, Berezkin totaled 104 points in 192 games. This gives the Oilers a clearer idea of what he can contribute, rather than just relying on a single great month of play.
Edmonton is hoping for a player who has both size and skill.
That’s why this signing is appealing. The Oilers do not need another prospect just to fill their roster. They require players who can compete for a spot on the team without causing problems with the budget.
Berezkin seems ready for that challenge. The Oilers picked him in the fifth round in 2020, and it looks like the long wait to bring him to the team is almost over.
Last summer, Berezkin mentioned that his aim was definitely to play in the NHL.
My goal is to play in the NHL alongside all the amazing players I’ve admired for so long. I want to challenge myself to compete with them. Even if I struggle at the beginning, I won’t get frustrated and will find ways to get better.
His experience in the playoffs makes things even more interesting. Last year, he played a key role in helping Lokomotiv win the Gagarin Cup by scoring 14 points in 21 playoff games. That’s a pretty impressive record that people notice when a player is looking to move up.
This doesn’t mean Edmonton has just found an easy fit for their top six players. A better way to look at it is that they found a winger who can compete for a spot in the bottom six, play strong along the boards, and maybe provide the Oilers with another option for protecting the puck further down the roster.
This is still very important for the team. Knoblauch’s team focuses a lot on skill, but during the playoffs, there is often a need for bigger and tougher players who can control the puck and keep the play going.
Here’s what writer Spencer Pomoty said about Berezkin’s abilities this season: “Maxim Berezkin’s contract ends after this season, and I really hope the Oilers can sign him for next year. My only concern with Berezkin is his finishing ability. However, I really appreciate his combination of size and speed, and his ability to play along the boards fits with what the Oilers are looking for.
I believe the six-foot-four winger could be a valuable addition to the bottom six next year, and with a little more experience, there’s a chance that Berezkin could become a very effective third-line player. ”
So, this is a smart move for Edmonton. Berezkin is coming in without unreasonable expectations but has great size, solid performance in the KHL, and a chance to become the kind of depth player that a team in the playoffs always needs.
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