The Edmonton Oilers continue to push to win the Pacific Division as the 2025-26 regular season comes to a close, and are hoping they can find a way to finally win their first Stanley Cup since 1990 after coming up short in the previous two seasons. While they remain focused on this season, they have also prioritized their future and seem willing to remain aggressive as they try to remain in contention consistently.
Related: Trusted Pundits Suggest Oilers Could Move on From Darnell Nurse
In this edition of Oilers News and Rumours, we take a look at the signing of Owen Michaels. Next, we take a look at an update on Colton Dach. As well, we take a look at the Oilers reportedly being close to signing Maksim Berezkin to an entry-level contract. Lastly, we take a quick look at an update on Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman.
The Oilers announced they had signed free agent forward Owen Michaels to a one-year, entry-level contract, and he immediately joined the Oilers at practice.
The #Oilers have signed @WMUHockey's Owen Michaels to a one-year entry-level contract starting this season! ✍️ Learn more about the forward ⤵️https://t.co/K1ksct3A9A
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) April 2, 2026
Michaels, who is 23, scored 13 goals and added 13 assists for 26 points through 39 games with Western Michigan University this season. According to PuckPedia, he isn’t eligible to be sent to the American Hockey League (AHL) and will remain with the Oilers for the remainder of the season.
After missing some time dealing with an injury, forward Colton Dach will return against the Utah Mammoth tonight (Apr. 7).
Kris Knoblauch confirms Tristan Jarry starts at Utah and Dach returns to the lineup tonight after a 12-game absence.
— Jack Michaels (@EdmontonJack) April 7, 2026
The Oilers and Mammoth are facing off in what could end up being a first-round playoff matchup, while Dach will play in his fourth game since being traded to the Oilers before the trade deadline.
According to a source at RG, the Oilers are expected to sign prospect forward Maksim Berezkin to a one-year, entry-level contract.
Maxim Berezkin is expected to sign with the Edmonton Oilers for next season on a one-year entry-level contract. The Russian winger is ready for his NHL shot after years in Lokomotiv’s system. Full story: https://t.co/J0DJjuFBWM
— RG (@TheRGMedia) April 7, 2026
Berezkin, who is 24, was drafted by the Oilers in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. This season, he scored seven goals and added 25 assists for 32 points through 64 games with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
The one-year deal begins next season.
According to head coach Kris Knoblauch, Zach Hyman is missing games for precautionary reasons and would be playing if it were the postseason. Leon Draisaitl, on the other hand, won’t travel for the Oilers’ final road trip of the season.
From @EdmontonOilers Coach Knoblauch Zach Hyman won't play tonight. He would it if it was playoffs. Leon Draisaitl expected to start skating this week but wont travel for final regular season road trip.
— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) April 4, 2026
Knoblauch added that Draisaitl may not be ready for Game 1 of the playoffs, but should return at some point during the series, which is alarming, but not the worst news.
As the 2025-26 season moves along, be sure to continue following The Hockey Writers as your source for news, updates, and more from around the NHL and the hockey world.
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