While not a great science, evaluating prospects coming into and during the playoffs can yield additional information.

Typically, the competition is more challenging and the games are more engaging than a Tuesday night in North Bay in January. Of course, not all prospects get a chance in these environments, but for those who do, it can provide more insight into a myriad of criteria. The Edmonton Oilers have a few prospects competing in these games and the results have provided some interesting tidbits on these players.

From Russia to central California, we’ve had some interesting developments for Edmonton Oiler prospects. More on all these players and prospect news and notes this week in the Oilers Prospect Report.

This last couple of weeks have seen a plethora of signings by the Edmonton Oilers, including free agents from the NCAA and Europe. It’s clear the strategy involves replenishing the organization’s prospect cupboards in the face of the limited amount of drafted players remaining and draft picks themselves.

However, the Oilers do have some drafted players who could help the organization who need contracts. The most NHL-ready is Maxim Beryozkin, a massive skilled winger who is currently in the KHL playoffs.

Beryozkin had a breakout playoff season last year. The regular season this year was ok, but not particularly special. However, since the playoffs have arrived Beryozkin has taken off. He has six points in six games and leads Lokomotiv in scoring. Beryozkin certainly relishes the playoffs. His size and desire to engage physically make him difficult to handle.

The one comment that I get a lot is whether Beryozkin can skate well enough for the NHL. I don’t really understand this critique because he’s an above-average skater. He certainly isn’t going to beat defenders one-on-one with McDavid-style crossovers. However, his quickness and power are good enough for the NHL. Take a look at his stride on this play where he earns an assist. The structure of his skating is very good. Excellent body position with toes, knees and hips all lined up. Sold upper body position and good arm swing. He’s nice and low to the ice which helps generate power. The length of the stride could be stretched out a bit, but that is a nitpick.

There isn’t any question Beryozkin skates well enough for the NHL. The fact he could play either wing and bring some strong offensive skill is very intriguing. He also checks boxes as a very big man, who loves to play physical hockey. For all the great work Stan Bowman has done recently, signing Beryozkin remains a must.

Savoie isn’t in the playoffs yet and his team’s chances to make the playoffs are tenuous. However, Savoie has been really strong in helping his team to the playoffs. In his last four games, Savoie has five assists. He’s added nine shots on the net and is a plus-five. He’s consistently been one of the two best Condors in each of these games. Again, this has been the case all year, Savoie has generated a lot of five-on-five opportunities by being very good defensively. Watch this assist and the neutral zone play by Savoie.

This is the type of play that gets a young player NHL looks. He can be trusted to defend and, when the opportunity presents itself, can turn that work into offensive opportunities.

In his last game, Savoie blocked a shot and left the game for a while. He came back and had an incredible third period. Watch this tremendous pass leading to a goal for the Condors.

His patience and skill on the attack is really high quality. He is certainly going to push for top six minutes next season with the Edmonton Oilers.

William Nicholl just keeps impressing. Coming off a breakout season, Nicholl has been involved in a good way in every London Knights playoff game. The only part missing was scoring. Nicholl just could not find the net or help his teammates finish plays. This week that all changed. Nicholl got a chance to play more in a rough affair where a couple of Knights including Sam O’Reilly spent some time in the box. Nicholl seized the moment. I have already posted this goal from the other night where Nicholl smartly creates himself a lane and gets a great pass from Cam Allen.

Here also had a great little assist off a very nice pass receipt. Nicholl’s ability to make quick plays in tight is a very noticeable skill with him. This is something that will absolutely help him in the pro ranks.

Dalyn Wakely continues his strong play in the OHL playoffs with Barrie. Wakely is in the top ten in scoring with 3-11-14 in seven games. He’s increased his shot average from three to four shots per game and that has helped his offense which did fall during the regular season.

Sam O’Reilly has had a good start to the playoffs as well. In six games, he is 3-7-10. He is not shooting very much at just over two shots per game which I think is diminishing his point totals. However, he has played an excellent 200-foot game in the playoffs and has made high-end contributions on the specialty teams. He continues to track well for the Oilers.

Connor Clattenburg’s team was knocked out in the OHL playoffs. He has been battling injuries a lot this year and it was clear he ended the season with one. He went to Bakersfield and tried to help a team that was suffering through an awful injury situation. However, he aggravated his injury and could only play one game.

That’s it for this week, everyone. As always, leave your feedback here or send a note to @bcurlock on the X. Have a great week.