Berezkin Stays in KHL
Oilers Prospect Vladimir Berezkin Signs Two-Year Russian Deal, Puts NHL Future on Hold
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Alex Berezkin, a controversial Russian winger and Edmonton Oilers prospect, has reportedly signed a new two-year deal to stay with his old Yaroslavl KHL team in Russia, according to Edmonton Sun and multiple Canadian outlets. The move appears to shut the door — at least for now — on any chance of him joining the Oilers for the 2026-27 NHL season.
The signing is striking because both Berezkin and Oilers management had shown real interest in a move to Edmonton, according to Ottawa Citizen. At 24 years old, Berezkin is at a critical age for any NHL prospect. Every year he stays in Russia is a year closer to being too old to make a meaningful impact in the NHL.
Berezkin Chooses Russia Over NHL Dream
Berezkin had been linked to the Oilers for months. There were genuine rumours that Edmonton management wanted him in the lineup for 2026-27, according to Ottawa Sun. Instead, he signed a two-year extension with Yaroslavl, his former KHL club. That deal keeps him in Russia until at least the 2026-27 season — the exact window the Oilers had hoped to use him.
Edmonton Sun described the move as Berezkin effectively "shooting his NHL hopes in the foot." The decision is puzzling given his stated desire to play professionally in the NHL. It is unclear what led him to re-sign in Russia rather than pursue a contract in North America.
War in Ukraine Looms Over Russian Hockey
The backdrop to this signing is a worsening war. Ukraine has stepped up strikes on key Russian industrial sites, causing fuel shortages and widespread disruption inside Russia, according to The Whig. Those conditions could hit Russian sports leagues hard, including the KHL, where Berezkin just signed his new deal.
If the war escalates further, the KHL could face serious problems — from travel disruptions to energy shortages affecting arenas and team operations. Berezkin is now locked into a league that may face real instability over the next two years, according to Sudbury Star. That makes his decision even more of a gamble.
Where Berezkin Stands in Edmonton's Prospect Pool
Despite the setback, Berezkin is still considered a legitimate Oilers prospect. He is ranked 26th overall in the Cult of Hockey's prospect rankings, according to Fort McMurray Today. That ranking reflects real talent, but also real uncertainty about whether he will ever make it to Edmonton.
The Oilers are not counting on him to fill a roster spot anytime soon. His two-year deal in Russia means the earliest he could realistically join Edmonton is the 2027-28 season — by which point he will be 26. Most NHL teams prefer to have prospects make their debut younger than that.
The Strangest Chapter May Still Be Ahead
Sources suggest the full story of Berezkin's path to — or away from — the NHL is far from over. The ongoing war, potential changes to Russian player rules, and the Oilers' own roster needs could all shift the picture dramatically, according to Paris Star Online. His situation is one of the most unpredictable in the Oilers' entire prospect pool.
For now, Edmonton fans must wait and watch. Berezkin has talent. He has shown interest in the NHL. But a two-year KHL deal, signed amid a war that is reshaping Russia from the inside, means the strangest turn in his story may not have happened yet.
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