The Edmonton Oilers have received disappointing news regarding one of their most intriguing overseas prospects. After months of speculation that he could finally make the move to North America, Maxim Berezkin will not join Oilers this summer after agreeing to a new contract extension with Russian club Yaroslavl Lokomotiv.
The decision effectively delays any potential NHL move for at least two more years and raises fresh questions about whether the highly regarded winger will ever wear an Oilers jersey.
For a franchise constantly looking to strengthen its depth around its star core, the fact that Maxim Berezkin will not join Oilers represents a setback in their long-term player development plans.
Maxim Berezkin Will Not Join Oilers After Signing KHL Extension
According to multiple reports from Russia, including respected journalist Daria Tuboltseva, Berezkin has agreed to a two-year contract extension with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
The timing of the announcement is significant.
Berezkin’s previous contract was nearing its conclusion, leading many observers to believe the 24-year-old forward could finally pursue an NHL opportunity with Edmonton. Instead, the news confirms that Maxim Berezkin will not join Oilers anytime soon.
The extension keeps him under contract in Russia through the prime years of his hockey career and delays any possible move to North America until he is at least 27 years old.
For Oilers supporters who hoped to see the prospect compete for a roster spot in training camp, the announcement comes as an obvious disappointment.
Why Edmonton Had High Hopes for Berezkin
The Oilers selected Berezkin in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, viewing him as a long-term project with intriguing upside.
While fifth-round picks rarely become impact NHL players, Berezkin steadily improved his reputation through consistent performances in the KHL.
His combination of size, strength, and offensive instincts made him an attractive prospect within Edmonton’s system. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing approximately 211 pounds, Berezkin possesses the physical profile NHL teams covet, particularly in postseason hockey.
That is one reason the news that Maxim Berezkin will not join Oilers has generated concern among fans.
Edmonton has spent years searching for bigger, harder-to-play-against forwards who can complement their elite offensive talent. Berezkin appeared capable of potentially filling that role.
Instead, the organization must continue looking elsewhere.
Strong KHL Development Influenced His Decision
One major factor behind the decision is the success Berezkin has enjoyed with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv.
The club has captured back-to-back KHL championships and remains one of the strongest organizations in European hockey. Remaining with a winning team undoubtedly carries significant appeal.
Players often face difficult choices when deciding whether to leave successful situations in Europe for uncertain opportunities in North America. In Berezkin’s case, the security and familiarity of staying in Russia may have outweighed the risks associated with transitioning to the NHL.
That reality helps explain why Maxim Berezkin will not join Oilers despite apparent interest from Edmonton.
From the player’s perspective, remaining with a championship-caliber club while continuing to develop could be the most comfortable option.
Berezkin Continued to Produce Offensively
Although Berezkin is primarily known for his physical style, he has also shown offensive consistency in recent seasons.
During the 2025-26 campaign, he recorded seven goals and 25 assists for 32 points in 64 games. The season before, he posted 42 points across 66 appearances.
Those numbers may not immediately jump off the page compared to NHL scoring leaders, but producing consistently in the KHL remains a strong indicator of professional-level ability.
Edmonton’s scouting department has monitored his progress closely over the years, which is another reason why the fact that Maxim Berezkin will not join Oilers feels like a missed opportunity.
The organization was likely hoping to evaluate his game more directly within the NHL or AHL environment.
That evaluation will now have to wait.
Maxim Berezkin will not Join Oilers
The immediate impact is that Edmonton loses a potential source of inexpensive roster depth.
Contending teams constantly search for affordable contributors who can provide physicality and secondary scoring without creating salary cap complications. Berezkin fit that profile.
Now that Maxim Berezkin will not join Oilers, the team must continue exploring alternative options through trades, free agency, or internal development.
The Oilers remain built around stars such as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but championship teams require contributions throughout the lineup.
Adding size and toughness remains a priority, especially after recent playoff campaigns exposed areas where the roster could become more physically imposing.
Without Berezkin arriving, those needs remain unresolved.
Could Berezkin Still Reach the NHL?
While the latest contract extension closes the door temporarily, it does not eliminate the possibility entirely.
However, the timeline is becoming increasingly challenging.
By the time the new deal expires, Berezkin will be 27 years old. At that stage, transitioning to North American hockey becomes more difficult, particularly for players who have spent their entire careers in Europe.
That is why some analysts believe Maxim Berezkin will not join Oilers may eventually become a permanent reality rather than a temporary delay.
The longer a player remains overseas, the less likely a move becomes.
Personal priorities also evolve with age. Family considerations, financial stability, and comfort within familiar environments often influence career decisions just as much as hockey opportunities.
Edmonton Oilers Must Shift Focus Elsewhere
For now, the Oilers have little choice but to move forward.
The organization still possesses a strong core and remains focused on competing for the Stanley Cup. While Berezkin represented an interesting prospect, he was never guaranteed to become a major NHL contributor.
Nevertheless, the fact that Maxim Berezkin will not join Oilers removes an intriguing option from Edmonton’s future plans.
The franchise spent years patiently waiting for the possibility of his arrival. With a contract extension now in place, those hopes have been postponed once again.
Whether Berezkin eventually changes his mind remains uncertain.
What is clear, however, is that Edmonton fans expecting to see the Russian power forward in Oilers colors anytime soon will have to wait much longer. And as every year passes, the likelihood that Maxim Berezkin will not join Oilers becomes increasingly difficult to ignore.
