Maxim Berezkin To Sign With Oilers For Next NHL Season
Next season, the Edmonton Oilers will have one more Russian player on their roster. As R.org has learned, Maxim Berezkin will sign with the Canadian club. The 24-year-old forward is expected to agree to a one-year entry-level contract.
Berezkin is an Oilers prospect who was selected by Edmonton in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, No. 138 overall. He has spent his entire professional career in the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl system. Last year, Berezkin won the Gagarin Cup and had the best KHL season of his career. He recorded 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists) in 66 regular-season games, then added 14 points (9 goals, 5 assists) in 21 playoff games.
Berezkin is a power forward who does most of his work around the net. He plays a hard, physical game. His vision and hockey IQ are also underrated. He is a versatile winger who can be used in all situations and competes at a high level.
Why He Stayed One More Year
A year ago, the Oilers already wanted Berezkin to join the organization. However, he decided to spend one more season with Lokomotiv in order to gain more experience.
“They invited me to join the team. We had conversations and some discussions, but I did not give them a final answer. I decided to stay, and I am sure that it will only help my development,” Berezkin said in an interview with VseProSport.ru.
Berezkin’s plan was to keep improving and become one of the leaders of his KHL team. However, this season was not easy for the forward. He scored his first goal in his 23rd regular-season game. Overall, he finished with 32 points (7 goals, 25 assists) in 64 games.
A New Chapter in Edmonton
This year, Lokomotiv has been led by well-known Canadian coach Bob Hartley, who won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 2000-01. Lokomotiv is currently playing in the postseason. In the first round, the team defeated Spartak Moscow 4-1 in the series. In the second round, it will face Salavat Yulaev Ufa.
Still, despite a less productive season, according to our source, Berezkin has already made the decision to continue his career with the Edmonton Oilers. The Canadian team already has one Russian player, Vasily Podkolzin, who should help Maxim adjust to his new country and a new league.