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Report: Oilers to sign prospect Maxim Berezkin to one-year, entry-level contract
Edmonton Oilers Maxim Beryozkin
Photo credit: https://hclokomotiv.ru/
Zach Laing
Apr 7, 2026, 14:00 EDTUpdated: Apr 7, 2026, 15:21 EDT
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Maxim Berezkin appears ready to head to North America and join the Edmonton Oilers.
The 24-year-old is expected to sign a one-year, entry-level contract with the Oilers, according to The RG’s Daria Tuboltseva.
Berezkin, drafted by the Oilers in the fifth round of the 2020 draft, has played in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl’s system his whole career. He broke into the KHL in 2020-21, and in the six years since, has become a consistent producer, totalling 38 goals and 134 points in 306 games. Much of that offence has come in the last three seasons dating back to 2023-24, where in 192 games, he’s scored 30 goals and 104 points.
The Oilers worked to sign Berezkin last summer, general manager Stan Bowman said, describing him as a player who is “skilled, makes plays, (is) comfortable with the puck and you can never have too many of those guys.”
Standing at 6’4′, 212 lbs., Berezkin helped Lokomotiv win the KHL’s Gagarin Cup last year, scoring nine goals and 14 points in 21 playoff games. He ultimately decided against coming to North America for this season, re-signing with Lokomotiv for this season.
He scored seven goals and 32 points in 64 games this season, taking 134 shots and shooting just 5.2 per centm while laying 98 hits. Lokomotiv just wrapped up their first round of the playoffs, defeating Spartak Moscow four games to one, with Berezkin scoring a goal and two points.
Last summer, Berezkin said his goal was to play in the NHL.
“My dream is to play in the NHL, against all these stars I have watched my whole life. I want to test myself at their level. Even if I am worse at first, I will not get upset and look for ways to improve my game.”
Here’s some of what Oilersnation prospect writer Spencer Pomoty wrote about Berezkin’s game this season:
Maxim Berezkin’s contract is done after this season and I’m hoping the Oilers can get a deal done to bring him in next year. The finishing is my only real problem with Berezkin, as I stated before I do love his size and mobility combination, but his work along the boards goes with what the Oilers want to do. I think the six-foot-four winger could be a great bottom-six addition next year and with some seasoning there is a chance Berezkin can turn into a highly effective third-liner.
It’s unlikely that the deal will be made official until Lokomotiv’s playoff run is over, but Berezkin’s size and ability to lay the body could make him an interesting contender for a depth spot on the Oilers next year.
Zach Laing is Oilersnation’s managing editor, and The Nation Network’s news director. He also makes up one-half of the Daily Faceoff DFS Hockey Report. He can be followed on X at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach.laing@bettercollective.com.

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