Another top-10 Oilers prospect could join NHL roster this season
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The Edmonton Oilers are very excited about the development of one of their top forward prospects, Russian Maxim Beryozkin.
According to a 2025 Prospect Countdown, Maxim is ranked number 6 in the depth charts, with skills that project him to be a top-6 forward in the NHL.
The 23-year old Beryozkin was drafted during GM Ken Holland's era, in 2020, at number 138 overall. At 6'4" and 212lbs, he stands to be an effective power forward, with a nose for the net and the physical game.
In 2019-20, Maxim's pre-draft year, he scored 25G and 54 points in 54 games played with Loko, of the MHL, Russia's top major-junior league.
In 2024-25, playing professionally with Lokomotiv of the KHL, Beryozkin scored 15G and 42 points in 66 regular season games, and 14 points in 21 playoff games played, helping his team capture their first title, the Gagarin Cup.
"«He is one of the very top offensive players on Loko," Elite Prospects Draft Guide reported, "which makes him worthy of a long look at least. Beryozkin scores with volume and has proficient handling skills. He creates offence by roughing opponents in the offensive zone and taking the puck along the wall. He looks towards his blue-liners like he's going to pass it, then fires it on net.»
He possesses a skillset that general managers covet, a combination of talent and physicality that is tailormade for NHL playoff hockey. In April, Stan Bowman was so impressed with the prospect that he was looking to sign him to an entry-level deal.
«We've been in touch with his representatives," Stan Bowman said. "And when his season finished, we're going to buckle down on that. 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.»
Maxim Beryozkin will continue to develop in the KHL with Lokomotiv for the 2025-26 season, though the Oilers hold his rights indefinitely, and is eligible to sign an NHL contract with the Oilers.
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