Oilers high-end prospect Maxim Beryozkin makes final decision on NHL future
Photo credit: KHL
The Edmonton Oilers were heavily hoping to see top prospect Maxim Beryozkin come over to North America and make the NHL roster next season, but he will instead remain in Russia.
Beryozkin was a key factor in his KHL team Yaroslavl Lokomotiv winning the league championship this spring. On the ice after winning it all, Beryozkin refused to commit to joining the Edmonton Oilers.
Maxim Beryozkin makes official decision to remain in KHL, will not join Oilers
According to insider Jason Gregor, Beryozkin is expected to stay with Yaroslavl for one more season. Next offseason, he plans to enter the NHL as a free agent.
It's unfortunate that the Oilers will lose the rights to their former draft pick, but there's still hope to get him signed. GM Stan Bowman has a solid reputation for signing European free agents, and hopefully can work those talents to retain Beryozkin even after he becomes a free agent.
The 23 year old forward was considered the most NHL ready prospect in the Oilers organization last year. At 6'4 and 211 pounds with 241 KHL games played, he has the size and experience in pro hockey to immediately play in the NHL.
Beryozkin used his size for a power forward style of play, and was able to show some solid finishing skills around the net too. In 66 games he scored 15 goals and 42 points in the low-scoring KHL, and elevated his scoring in the playoffs too.
Drafted in the 5th round by the Oilers in 2020, if Beryozkin lived up to his ceiling in the NHL, he would've been a total steal for Edmonton.
The door isn't entirely closed to Beryozkin still coming back to the Oilers organization, but for now, it seems like they've lost one of their most promising prospects.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 2 | 529 ANSWERS Oilers high-end prospect Maxim Beryozkin makes final decision on NHL future Do you think the Oilers will still sign Beryozkin next year? | ||
| Yes | 278 | 52.6 % |
| No | 251 | 47.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
