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

[Dbrownss]

Im excited for KK...was a guy I hope they picked but Im not sure ive seen any clips that warrent this uber hype. Ever since draft he's been compared to every super star Russian...

 

[Blanick]

Im excited for KK...was a guy I hope they picked but Im not sure ive seen any clips that warrent this uber hype. Ever since draft he's been compared to every super star Russian...

I actually agree that the hype is a little out of control on Kostin right now. All that being said I read a lot of reports that say if he didn't get injured he would have been a top 10 pick, maybe pushed just outside by the Russian factor.

 

[Jordeau]

I found an interesting post in Kostin's prospect thread on the main boards about his stats from this previous season.

Well, since we don't expect Kostin to play this season anymore, we can look at his stats bit more in detail:


Hlinka: 4g+3A in 5GP // don't think I should comment anything here
KHL: 0 points in 8GP // 4:27 TOI - wonder why he didn't score more with that TOI
VHL: 1G in 9GP // 11:47 TOI, but with 4-th line partners and frequently on the LW, also he played 3 games out of 9 after the WJAC, so he likely wasn't healthy already in those - don't see anything worth the drama in the stats here.
MHL: 1A in 1GP // also nothing surprising here to me.
Can/Rus Series: 1G+1A in 5GP // not impressing stats at all, but then we remember that noone on Russia team scored more than 3 points on that tourney.
WJAC: 1G+2A in 3GP // he barely could play (was out for some time after physical plays), but still he got some points there.

So yeah, I fail to see anything that bad in his stat line.

It's difficult to get any sort of read on his season based on his stats. It's no surprise he wasn't able to produce in the KHL while playing under 4:30 per game, but it's a bit disappointing that he couldn't put up a few more points in the VHL playing almost 12:00 a night.

I'm really excited to watch him play in the AHL next season to get a better read on his game.

 

[LastWordArmy]

When the St. Louis Blues traded for the 31st pick and selected forward Klim Kostin it was considered a steal. A lot of teams, scouts, and reporters thought he would have been taken in the earlier part of the first round, but somehow he managed to fall.

http://lastwordonhockey.com/2017/07/19/klim-kostin-steal-blues/

 

[phxblue]

Im excited for KK...was a guy I hope they picked but Im not sure ive seen any clips that warrent this uber hype. Ever since draft he's been compared to every super star Russian...

Same.

I watched 4 to 6 highlight reels of his, every video of him on the web I think.

Then I watched as much footage of Malkin, Ovechkin, Tarasenko and Kovalchuk before they were drafted.

I don't think KK has that level of skill from what I've seen.

But I do think/hope he will still be a very good player for us soon. But Kevin Weekes I think it was that was saying he had a little Malkin and a little Tarasenko. Yeah, no. I didnt see anything like that.

I don't think this dude would have been a #1 overall if he didnt get hurt. And I don't think he would have been a #1 overall even if he didnt get hurt and he was guaranteed to come to the US and sign with any team that drafted him.

I just don't see the talent there to make those type of comparisons.

I do hope he can be a solid Robin to Tarasenko's Batman though. And I do think he could be a 1st/2nd line player. Just not a start on the team from day one future superstar like the hype seems to be at.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Same.

I watched 4 to 6 highlight reels of his, every video of him on the web I think.

Then I watched as much footage of Malkin, Ovechkin, Tarasenko and Kovalchuk before they were drafted.

I don't think KK has that level of skill from what I've seen.

But I do think/hope he will still be a very good player for us soon. But Kevin Weekes I think it was that was saying he had a little Malkin and a little Tarasenko. Yeah, no. I didnt see anything like that.

I don't think this dude would have been a #1 overall if he didnt get hurt. And I don't think he would have been a #1 overall even if he didnt get hurt and he was guaranteed to come to the US and sign with any team that drafted him.

I just don't see the talent there to make those type of comparisons.

I do hope he can be a solid Robin to Tarasenko's Batman though. And I do think he could be a 1st/2nd line player. Just not a start on the team from day one future superstar like the hype seems to be at.

No one reasonable has or should compare Kostin to the superstar Russians. I don't see him being a superstar. But he does have 1st line talent. Looking at the stats, he's been the best 1999 born Russian for a few years. There's just no Malkin or even Tarasenko among the 1999s is all (side note: 2000 born Andrei Svechnikov is REALLY good).

Kostin was ranked by McKenzie as 3rd overall. Then tanked because he wasn't producing much in limited pro minutes and then got a season ending injury. He has good skill but hopefully he can put it together in the AHL this season.

 

[Caser]

Looks like he is in a pretty good shape.

 

[Robb_K]

Same.

I watched 4 to 6 highlight reels of his, every video of him on the web I think.

Then I watched as much footage of Malkin, Ovechkin, Tarasenko and Kovalchuk before they were drafted.

I don't think KK has that level of skill from what I've seen.

But I do think/hope he will still be a very good player for us soon. But Kevin Weekes I think it was that was saying he had a little Malkin and a little Tarasenko. Yeah, no. I didnt see anything like that.

I don't think this dude would have been a #1 overall if he didnt get hurt. And I don't think he would have been a #1 overall even if he didnt get hurt and he was guaranteed to come to the US and sign with any team that drafted him.

I just don't see the talent there to make those type of comparisons.

I do hope he can be a solid Robin to Tarasenko's Batman though. And I do think he could be a 1st/2nd line player. Just not a start on the team from day one future superstar like the hype seems to be at.

I never heard ANYONE say Kostin would have been overall #1 if he'd not been hurt and would guarantee coming to North America. One or two analysts said he probably would have been in this draft's Top 10. That's already quite good sounding to me. I, too, think he might have the natural talent to eventually become a 1st Liner, and probably should eventually become an NHL 2nd Liner. So, in that sense, he was likely a big bargain at #31.

Despite all that, I expect him to start out this season in The AHL, but to be called up by The Blues later, in the season.

 

[Mike Liut]

I like the Rick Nash comparisons to Kostin.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Looks like he is in a pretty good shape.

majority of 18 year olds don't look like that... that is the definition of a man child... unreal

 

[Evocable Manager]

The guy is a BEAST.

I wanna meet him and take a photo. Being 5'6", 135lbs, I wanna see just how much bigger he is . Could probably squash me like a bug.

Don't know about anyone else but I'm just dying for October. I'm ready for some hockey.

 

[Dbrownss]

I never heard ANYONE say Kostin would have been overall #1 if he'd not been hurt and would guarantee coming to North America. One or two analysts said he probably would have been in this draft's Top 10. That's already quite good sounding to me. I, too, think he might have the natural talent to eventually become a 1st Liner, and probably should eventually become an NHL 2nd Liner. So, in that sense, he was likely a big bargain at #31.

Despite all that, I expect him to start out this season in The AHL, but to be called up by The Blues later, in the season.

I cant say that ive watched endless clips of Hisher or Patrick but if anyone is saying that...its just because of the overall lack of cant miss elite players over the 2yrs. Ive watched more of Kostin....he may not have elite speed but man he's a fantastic skater especially for his size. My first thought was Skinner, just skating style. He's very comfortable with opening up his hips transitioning from skating forward to backwards. He also has a great ability to protect the puck with that big ass...and considering his size, i dont see that going away. Then add in his nasty release and shot velocity.....I'd almost say his floor is 2nd liner.

My 1 reservation is his "over confidence" if thats a real thing. I worry that if he hits a NA wall, he may get too down on himself

 

[Mike Liut]

I cant say that ive watched endless clips of Hisher or Patrick but if anyone is saying that...its just because of the overall lack of cant miss elite players over the 2yrs. Ive watched more of Kostin....he may not have elite speed but man he's a fantastic skater especially for his size. My first thought was Skinner, just skating style. He's very comfortable with opening up his hips transitioning from skating forward to backwards. He also has a great ability to protect the puck with that big ass...and considering his size, i dont see that going away. Then add in his nasty release and shot velocity.....I'd almost say his floor is 2nd liner.

My 1 reservation is his "over confidence" if thats a real thing. I worry that if he hits a NA wall, he may get too down on himself

All good points. Another thing I like about him is, he plays with a chip on his shoulder. He's a damn bull too

 

[Dbrownss]

All good points. Another thing I like about him is, he plays with a chip on his shoulder. He's a damn bull too

I actually havn't seen that aspect of his game in the videos ive watched. He absolutely needs that Ovechkin aspect to his game, though.

I think he'll slide into that 3RW spot before Christmas...for 2 reason. Beau Bennett will get concused by chewing to hard, and Kostin is going to wreck the AHL.....at least i hope

 

[stl76]

All good points. Another thing I like about him is, he plays with a chip on his shoulder. He's a damn bull too

Agreed that he can be a damn bull. One of the things that stood out the most to me in clips I've watched of Kostin is his willingness to drive the net hard. He is definitely not afraid to use his speed to get around defensemen and/or use his size & strength to go straight thru them and attack the middle of the ice.

 

[Memento]

Looks like he is in a pretty good shape.

Dear fate, he looks like an American football linebacker - and I mean that in a totally good way. He definitely fits the bill physically, but I want to see how he transitions to NHL-sized rinks before I say he's going to be in the NHL this year. Here's hoping that he tears things up because that just makes us better.

 

[Vincenzo Arelliti]

I dig the short colors

 

[BleedBlue14]

I cant say that ive watched endless clips of Hisher or Patrick but if anyone is saying that...its just because of the overall lack of cant miss elite players over the 2yrs. Ive watched more of Kostin....he may not have elite speed but man he's a fantastic skater especially for his size. My first thought was Skinner, just skating style. He's very comfortable with opening up his hips transitioning from skating forward to backwards. He also has a great ability to protect the puck with that big ass...and considering his size, i dont see that going away. Then add in his nasty release and shot velocity.....I'd almost say his floor is 2nd liner.

My 1 reservation is his "over confidence" if thats a real thing. I worry that if he hits a NA wall, he may get too down on himself

The skating style that you are talking about really reminds me of 91 as well

 

[Mike Liut]

This is where I laugh when people say Tarasenko is 230. Kostin is 3" taller and MUCH bigger than Tarasenko. Tarasenko is probably 6' 200 LBS

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

Klim and Colton can run a bodyguard business in the offseason

 

[Dbrownss]

The skating style that you are talking about really reminds me of 91 as well

Idk....Vladi is such a lazy skater(yea i said it lol). Its hard to focus in his style. Some games he turns on the jets and you see just how powerful of a skater he is. I think he actually has a good top speed. He's like a mack truck....tons of down low torque but not alot of separation power till he gets going. As for edgework...i don't know if I'd compare them. Tarasenko is more stop and go. He can stop on a dime and change directions very fast. Kostin looks more fluid with his skating. Neither one is better, just different styles to my eye.

This is where I laugh when people say Tarasenko is 230. Kostin is 3" taller and MUCH bigger than Tarasenko. Tarasenko is probably 6' 200 LBS

Yea....no. vladi is all of 220lbs. His upper body is so damn thick it makes is legs look tiny. When you see him sitting down...you realize his calfs are human torsos themselves.

 

[Mike Liut]

Idk....Vladi is such a lazy skater(yea i said it lol). Its hard to focus in his style. Some games he turns in the jets and you see just how powerful if a skater he is. I think he actually has a good top speed. He's like a mack truck....tons of down low torque but not alot of separation power till he gets going. As for edgework...i don't know if Id compare them. Tarasenko is more stop and go. He can stop on a dime and change directions very fast. Kostin looks more fluid with hid skating. Neither one is better, just different styles to my eye.



Yea....no. vladi is all of 220lbs. His upper body is so damn thick it makes is legs look tiny. When you see him sitting down...you realize his calfs are human torsos themselves.

So Vlad weighs more than Kostin?

 

[Evocable Manager]

Tarasenko is built like the Incredible Hulk. But Kostin is 18 and 7 years younger so I imagine Kostin will become bigger at some point.

 

[Klank Loves You]

Some vet was on a PTO a couple of years ago, and does some light-hearted playoff matchup analysis. He always mentions how Vladdy's legs are absolutely huge, even in the NHL. Did we all forget that Reaves and Vladdy pushed each other in the weight room?

 

[Dbrownss]

So Vlad weighs more than Kostin?

As now, through documented reports, yes. Kostin would have had to pack on 20+lbs to outweigh Tarasenko who year in, year out has weighed in at 225ish pounds. Even if Kostin did pack on that weight(which i can only imagine to be detrimental to his performance), it still doesn't mean Tarasenko is 200lbs.....like you said.