Prospect Info: Klim Kostin (31st overall in 2017)

[Kshahdoo]

The tools, size, skating, vision, and IQ appear to all be ready to force his way up. I don't see him needing that much polish at all - if only to get used to the new ice. I think his skills are that of a top 3 prospect in a good draft, and those players often start in the NHL. The Blues still need offense, and there is no one more ready to add that to the team than Kostin. We can't acquire a player like that without moving big pieces, so I'm wondering about management viewing him as a TDL acquisition similar to how they viewed Berglund last year. He would be perfect on our third line platooning up to the second as necessary.

I suppose you could call it a strong hunch, but I also think it would be best for his development to get a taste of playoff hockey early. His size, speed, and skill would be welcome even if he looked a little lost on defense.

He's a worse player, than Svechnikov jr right now, being 1 year older.

 

[STL BLUES]

He's a worse player, than Svechnikov jr right now, being 1 year older.

Decent example.

At first I wanted to hurry up and get him in a Blues Jersey. Now I'm ok with slow and steady.

Yeo is unlike Hitch and I wouldn't be surprised klemer gets some regular season exposure. There's certain games wher teams not as heavy where he will be just fine.

I'd say put him in the AHL and let him jell. That way we don't end up with a Nail.

 

[Vincenzo Arelliti]

Out of curiosity, how many minutes of gameplay did you watch of Kostin that was not a highlight reel? I have not seen near enough to make an adequate prediction about his progress. However, my spidey sense begins to tingle with such crazy predictions like yours that are given with such assurance. In my experience, anyone who talks up a late first pick AFTER the draft, but not much before the draft is mostly going off of hype and not actual eyes-on information. Less than a month ago we had a poll on who we would pick at 20. Lehterasenkshow did not pick Kostin who was available, but picked Poehlling instead. So I would guess your opinion on Klim has changed since then. Since he hasn't played a game in that time, it was either based on the prospect camp, which isn't a good indication of NHL readiness or on hype.

I picked Poehling based on need. We needed a good center, and I thought that Poehling would be the best available. I didn't imagine Kostin would make it past 15 realistically, but of course would drop due to a Russian-factor, his shoulder injury, and a WJAC that was lack-luster. I always thought he was going to be good, but of course after landing him (and a lot a couple of days before the draft) I started really seeking out more than just video.

I haven't watched a lot of games, but in talking with Russian posters on here, watching what clips that are available of Kostin's shifts, and reading about him from KHL fans, I feel confident enough to make a bold claim (and I do understand it is bold, so I guess take it with a grain of salt?). I felt that there was a lot of brake-pumping going on - too much so that I felt we were forgetting what I view as a real possibility. Pump brakes if you would like, and I will agree an opinion like that is more realistic. However I don't think it's as outrageous as some might think to believe that he has a chance to make a splash this year.

To be clear I don't mean to imply that Kostin is a first-year NHLer type of prospect. What I mean is that this is a perfect storm for Kostin: we've lost Perron, Jaskin can't stick on 3RW, Berglund is injured to start the season, we have been lacking speed, physicality, and scoring talent, and we have a coach that doens't require elite defensive awareness to play his system correctly (and allows for creativity and less defensive responsibility that would allow a player with Kostin's skill set to more easily make the team). Because I believe that Kostin's skill level is elite, it doesn't seem too far-fetched to me to say that he has the capability of making the team, and soon. What will he learn in the AHL more than he will learn in the NHL? He has all the tools, he has the drive, and he has the ability to play with bigger competition. Outside of adjusting to the ice, I suppose one could say that he needs to learn to use his teammates better, but again, I don't think you have to be in the AHL to learn that. I think if given a shot (and because of the perfect storm I think he will be given one) he will find a way to beat-out Jaskin for that 3RW spot. If he's the best player for that spot, then he will stick and learn to use his teammates and adjust to the faster pace in the NHL.

I don't even view bringing him up now as a risk. He's not a Yakupov - he's nowhere close to a one-trick pony. He has the work ethic, the confidence, and the size and speed to make him capable of making the jump in my estimation.

Will it happen? Perhaps no. I suppose this is like a Duchene situation where I see more possibility in others in that I think there is a path forward. We have the pieces to get it done, imo. But I don't know one way or the other if management will actually do that. The same is true with Kostin - I think he has the pieces to get it done, but I don't know if management will actually put him in the NHL if he looks ready during camp. I do know that the timing looks like it could be right, and you, me, and everyone we know (ostensibly including management) know that we need what Kostin brings. I think all of those things mean that Kostin could be in the NHL this year, and that it's not exactly crazy to think that management might feel the same way - even if they claim he isn't ready as of now. The combination of needing his skill-set, Jaskin sucking offensively, and having an open 3rd line spot and maybe an open 2RW spot if Schenn looks good at center means that they might be willing to overlook some of his immediate inefficiencies.

 

[67Blues]

Looks like he's signed to a 3 year ELC!

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DD-x7FLUwAAyuEK.jpg:large

 

[kimzey59]

The tools, size, skating, vision, and IQ appear to all be ready to force his way up. I don't see him needing that much polish at all - if only to get used to the new ice. I think his skills are that of a top 3 prospect in a good draft[\b], and those players often start in the NHL. The Blues still need offense, and there is no one more ready to add that to the team than Kostin. We can't acquire a player like that without moving big pieces, so I'm wondering about management viewing him as a TDL acquisition similar to how they viewed Berglund last year. He would be perfect on our third line platooning up to the second as necessary.

I suppose you could call it a strong hunch, but I also think it would be best for his development to get a taste of playoff hockey early. His size, speed, and skill would be welcome even if he looked a little lost on defense.

I love Kostin's upside but I don't agree with this statement.

I think he has the talent of a top 10 pick in a good draft, but not top 3. To make a comparison; I think he has the upside of a Matt Tkachuk type prospect. He is very good, but he isn't going to be a McDavid/Matthews and I really doubt he even gets to Eichel/MacKinnon levels.

I think he will make an incredible tandem on RW with Vladdy. But I don't see him overshadowing Vladdy and I am a bit worried about having the right centers to compliment the two of them.

 

[Evocable Manager]

I love Kostin's upside but I don't agree with this statement.

I think he has the talent of a top 10 pick in a good draft, but not top 3. To make a comparison; I think he has the upside of a Matt Tkachuk type prospect. He is very good, but he isn't going to be a McDavid/Matthews and I really doubt he even gets to Eichel/MacKinnon levels.

I think he will make an incredible tandem on RW with Vladdy. But I don't see him overshadowing Vladdy and I am a bit worried about having the right centers to compliment the two of them.

Pretty weird scale when McDavid is clearly on a level of his own, Eichel/Matthews are a tier and MacKinnon is below all 3 of them...

Kostin could be like a prime Rick Nash. That's his ceiling IMO.

 

[Dbrownss]

Prime Rick Nash would be a home run pick. Hell, id be happy with average Nash

 

[kimzey59]

Pretty weird scale when McDavid is clearly on a level of his own, Eichel/Matthews are a tier and MacKinnon is below all 3 of them...

Kostin could be like a prime Rick Nash. That's his ceiling IMO.

Considering that the discussion is about a top 3 pick in a good draft; I don't think the scale is that off.

He is not a Generational talent(#1 pick like McDavid, Crosby or Ovechkin).
He is not a real Franchise player(# 2 pick; like McDavid, Malkin or Matthews).
It's very doubtful he is the "best forward on the team" that you build an offense around(a #3 pick; MacKinnon, Eichel, Seguin type).

He is the kind of player that needs some help, but can be a real difference maker with even one guy to work with. I know that he and Vladdy won't play on the same line, but I see that turning into a "which line do you defend" type situation. I honestly can't think of a modern team that can potentially roll that kind of devastating duo on RW, but I liken it to Hull/Shanny back in the day. Neither was that real "does it all" Franchise player, but together they were nearly undefendable.

 

[Evocable Manager]

Prime Rick Nash would be a home run pick. Hell, id be happy with average Nash

That's his ceiling...but I'm not so sure that's what I'm expecting.

 

[DatDude44]

Pretty weird scale when McDavid is clearly on a level of his own, Eichel/Matthews are a tier and MacKinnon is below all 3 of them...

Kostin could be like a prime Rick Nash. That's his ceiling IMO.

100% agree. I'm pretty sure i made the prime rick nash comparison earlier in the thread as well lol.

 

[PiggySmalls]

I'm hoping this photo was taken the day he signed. Meaning he is finishing his rehab in STL and training for the upcoming season. Fabbri did the same thing the summer after his high ankle sprain and helped a lot.

 

[Mike Liut]

Prime Rick Nash would be a home run pick. Hell, id be happy with average Nash

I think Nash is a pretty good comparison tbh.

 

[STL fan in MN]

I'm hoping this photo was taken the day he signed. Meaning he is finishing his rehab in STL and training for the upcoming season. Fabbri did the same thing the summer after his high ankle sprain and helped a lot.

Yeah, I found the pic interesting too and wondered if he was just staying in STL the rest of the summer. If so, that'd be good for him.

 

[EL Bandito]

I really like the Rick Nash comparison actually.

I had been trying to think of who I'd compare him to and was having a tough time. The best I came up with was a hybrid of Shanahan and Viktor Kozlov. That might actually be Rick Nash, lol.

 

[FirstRoundExit]

If he was a prime Rick Nash, that'd be great. Nash has had two 40+ seasons, and plenty of 30+.

He's got all the tools to be a great player, but time will tell. Excited for him to play in Traverse and come to camp.

 

[Oberyn]

The Nash comparison isn't bad, if Kostin ends up being 70% of the player Nash was then that's a win to me.

I still have reservations about Kostin due to the limited games he played in his draft year but I will admit he has a great set of skills. I'm having a hard time placing him over Kyrou and Thomas, personally.

 

[Mike Liut]

Lindros-light?

 

[LetsGoBooze]

I'm having a hard time placing him over Kyrou and Thomas, personally.

Exactly, the talent is there if he can put it all together and stay healthy. But, until he shows this i like the 2 guys you mentioned ahead of him. But, he can change all that with a fast start in the AHL.

 

[Vincenzo Arelliti]

Lindros-light?

I thought similarly. It's hard to call someone Lindros-lite though because it's difficult to separate the playstyle from the legend.

 

[Bluesfan54]

My main concern going into next year is his upper-body strength. He's probably doing plenty of skating, so his conditioning should be ok, but how much can he do in the weight room with just one shoulder?

 

[Vincenzo Arelliti]

I wouldn't worry too much about his upper-body strength. He's already a beast. He might not dominate physically like he used to, but he'll have plenty of time to bulk up as the season goes on, and it's not like he's going to get pushed around.

 

[EastonBlues22]

I'm not sure if Nash is the perfect comp, but it's way closer than Lindros. Nothing about Kostin's game brings Lindros to mind for me.

 

[Robb_K]

I wouldn't worry too much about his upper-body strength. He's already a beast. He might not dominate physically like he used to, but he'll have plenty of time to bulk up as the season goes on, and it's not like he's going to get pushed around.

He'll play mostly in The AHL, in any case.

 

[TK 421]

Upper body strength isn't even remotely a concern. Despite coming off a shoulder surgery he placed 17th in pull ups at the draft combine. That's impressive considering it usually isn't the bigger, heavier guys that do that.

Conditioning and the ability to start and stop often is sometimes a hurdle incoming European players have when they 1st start playing NA hockey imo. A NA shift can be really taxing if possession changes multiple times. Obviously there's less room on a NA rink and players have to quickly read and react to sudden changes in possession on top of the physical exertion required. This can be especially taxing on big guys. Kostin went from 196 lbs earlier in the year to 207 lbs at the combine. It may be nothing, but if you're looking for something to potentially be a concern that's where I would start. Kostin is a strong skater so it may not be an issue at all, not trying to suggest it will. But it's a lot more of a concern than upper body strength when you're talking about a beast like Kostin who placed 17th in pull ups despite coming off a shoulder surgery.

 

[PiggySmalls]

I guess I just dont see the Rick Nash comparison. Watching Klim's videos and breaking down his stats, he just seems alot more like Jamie Benn when he was playing juniors for the Kelowna Rockets. Both have the, "I'm driving to the net whether you like it or not" attitude and have a excellent blend of offensive upside and being very physical/scrappy.

Here is a pro scouting report for Jamie Benn from the hockey news. it reads alot like Kostin's amateur scouting report today.

SCOUTING REPORT
ASSETS:
Has an excellent frame, plus plenty of scoring and all-around acumen. Leads by example and is driven to succeed. Is dangerous in front of the opposing goal. Owns underrated passing skills, too.
FLAWS:
His face-off skills are not at an elite level, which may be why he was moved off the center position (he is far more effective at left wing). Can take a few bad penalties due to over-exuberance.
CAREER POTENTIAL:
Elite scorer, power forward and leader.