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

[Mike Liut]

I still have yet to find any comparison for Kostin that I have liked. Everyone comes up with someone that I just can't bring myself to agreeing to.

It's not to say I can do any better, because I still have clue who I would compare him to either.

Lindros

 

[STL fan in MN]

Who do you guys figure will make the team first... Kyrou or Kostin?... Or will it completely come down to training camp and who impresses the most

I could see Kyrou as having an outside chance at earning a 9 game trial but for the most part I expect him to be back in the OHL this season.

For Kostin, he likely has a better chance later on in the season as at least he'll be playing pro hockey this season. But with that said, all we've seen of the guy since being drafted is him do some drills out at the practice rink. For now, I expect him to spend the year in the AHL adapting to the pro game as well as the N.A. game. If/when he does well in Traverse City and/or some preseason games, then I'll consider him a legit NHL option for later in the season.

 

[Halak Ness Monster]

I could see Kyrou as having an outside chance at earning a 9 game trial but for the most part I expect him to be back in the OHL this season.

For Kostin, he likely has a better chance later on in the season as at least he'll be playing pro hockey this season. But with that said, all we've seen of the guy since being drafted is him do some drills out at the practice rink. For now, I expect him to spend the year in the AHL adapting to the pro game as well as the N.A. game. If/when he does well in Traverse City and/or some preseason games, then I'll consider him a legit NHL option for later in the season.

I would love to see Kyrou get a 9 game trial and have it spread out over a month.

I don't think he'll learn much in the OHL this year. He's gonna be one of the older guys there and he has already dominated at that level.
Might as well give him a good taste of what the NHL is all about. Every aspect. On the ice, off the ice, in the weight room, etc.

He'll have to earn the trial, of course, but I think it could be very beneficial for him.

 

[Vincenzo Arelliti]

I would love to see Kyrou get a 9 game trial and have it spread out over a month.

I don't think he'll learn much in the OHL this year. He's gonna be one of the older guys there and he has already dominated at that level.
Might as well give him a good taste of what the NHL is all about. Every aspect. On the ice, off the ice, in the weight room, etc.

He'll have to earn the trial, of course, but I think it could be very beneficial for him.

Agreed. I think this is a great idea if we end up having a roster spot. But because of the log-jam of forwards (Bennett, Thorburn, Paajarvi, Jaskin, Sundqvist, Sanford, Brodziak), and still having Gunnarsson taking up a spot, I don't know how likely that will be. Either way, even without Kyrou, something has to give. Someone on that list of forwards will be starting in the AHL.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

I could see Kyrou as having an outside chance at earning a 9 game trial but for the most part I expect him to be back in the OHL this season.

For Kostin, he likely has a better chance later on in the season as at least he'll be playing pro hockey this season. But with that said, all we've seen of the guy since being drafted is him do some drills out at the practice rink. For now, I expect him to spend the year in the AHL adapting to the pro game as well as the N.A. game. If/when he does well in Traverse City and/or some preseason games, then I'll consider him a legit NHL option for later in the season.

I hope Kostin just flat out dominates TC. Just absolutely blows everyone out of the water after having all this pent-up rage after not playing hockey all year. Not saying that's what's going to happen, but it would be pretty sweet.

 

[CaliforniaBlues310]

I hope Kostin just flat out dominates TC. Just absolutely blows everyone out of the water after having all this pent-up rage after not playing hockey all year. Not saying that's what's going to happen, but it would be pretty sweet.

I agree, but honestly I'd love it if any of Klim/Tage/Kyrou forced their way onto the roster out of camp.

 

[STL fan in MN]

I would love to see Kyrou get a 9 game trial and have it spread out over a month.

I don't think he'll learn much in the OHL this year. He's gonna be one of the older guys there and he has already dominated at that level.
Might as well give him a good taste of what the NHL is all about. Every aspect. On the ice, off the ice, in the weight room, etc.

He'll have to earn the trial, of course, but I think it could be very beneficial for him.

Kyrou still has plenty to learn IMO. He needs to get better at defense and supporting the play and his teammates. He can also still improve his shot. He's shown a lot of skill and speed but needs to round out his game more to not be a liability in the NHL.

But any preseason or a handful of regular season games will help him to learn what it'll take to be an NHLer so that he can come to camp a year from now and make the team.

 

[The Note in MI]

I get the feeling he's going to be a lesser tarasenko. Not as deadly of a shot but similar build and skating ability. Good at shielding the puck. Capable of driving the net. Can't speak to his playmaking but we all know tarasenko is actually a hell of a passer when he wants to be. Biggest thing to remember is this kid is 18. He's only going to get bigger. Stronger. Faster. Better. We didn't get tarasenko until he was what 21? This guy has a few years before we may see his true ceiling. He's probably going to be the most likely to make the team out of camp just based on size and position alone.

It is somewhat concerning his performance in the vhl and subsequent injury over the last year dropping him from the overall #3 projected pick in this draft by some sources.

 

[Halak Ness Monster]

Kyrou still has plenty to learn IMO. He needs to get better at defense and supporting the play and his teammates. He can also still improve his shot. He's shown a lot of skill and speed but needs to round out his game more to not be a liability in the NHL.

But any preseason or a handful of regular season games will help him to learn what it'll take to be an NHLer so that he can come to camp a year from now and make the team.

I didn't mean that Kyrou is a finished product. Far from it. I meant that I don't think he'll truly learn to improve his play without the puck in the OHL where he'll be relied upon to be a dominant offensive player in a league full of guys younger than him.

Maybe I'm wrong, though.

 

[Mike Liut]

I get the feeling he's going to be a lesser tarasenko. Not as deadly of a shot but similar build and skating ability. Good at shielding the puck. Capable of driving the net. Can't speak to his playmaking but we all know tarasenko is actually a hell of a passer when he wants to be. Biggest thing to remember is this kid is 18. He's only going to get bigger. Stronger. Faster. Better. We didn't get tarasenko until he was what 21? This guy has a few years before we may see his true ceiling. He's probably going to be the most likely to make the team out of camp just based on size and position alone.

It is somewhat concerning his performance in the vhl and subsequent injury over the last year dropping him from the overall #3 projected pick in this draft by some sources.

I think Kostin will be way more of a physical presence than Tarasenko. Tarasenko may be strong, he just doesn't play a physical game. I think Kostin will play a little different style than Tarasenko.

 

[Dbrownss]

I think Kostin will be way more of a physical presence than Tarasenko. Tarasenko may be strong, he just doesn't play a physical game. I think Kostin will play a little different style than Tarasenko.

Very true. For all the tank talk, Tarasenko has been underwhelming physically with the puck. I dont mean body checking but just puck protection and dictating where he's going. Dmen have figured him out and he hasnt done much to evolve his game

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

Very true. For all the tank talk, Tarasenko has been underwhelming physically with the puck. I dont mean body checking but just puck protection and dictating where he's going. Dmen have figured him out and he hasnt done much to evolve his game

I know what you mean by this, but bear in mind that in terms of Tarasenko's ability to put pucks on net (shots, through%), his ability to score at even-strength, and his ability to set up teammates by drawing coverages, there are very, very, very few players in the league today that do what Tarasenko does. In some ways, the things you're saying about Tarasenko are the exact same in substance as what can be said about someone like Gaudreau (although his schtick obviously isn't physicality or size). The thing about those high-flying offensive talents is that they take a ton of attempts that go nowhere and fail. It's a numbers game though, if you shoot enough it's going to go in eventually. Guys like Tarasenko and Gaudreau generate that volume better than most, which makes those sometimes frustrating failures tolerable. It comes with the territory.

So, yes defenses have gotten better about dealing with Tarasenko, but along the way he's adapted as well, which is why his production is staying steady. Yes, you'd like to see improvement, but there just aren't many if any players who are doing that in the way that Tarasenko is. It's easy to pick on him when he makes mistakes, or when he hits a cold streak and the mistakes start to pile up. So, I don't really care if he is or isn't laying people out (in fact I'd prefer he didn't), as long as Tarasenko is being Tarasenko, there's no reason to worry.

 

[Dbrownss]

I know what you mean by this, but bear in mind that in terms of Tarasenko's ability to put pucks on net (shots, through%), his ability to score at even-strength, and his ability to set up teammates by drawing coverages, there are very, very, very few players in the league today that do what Tarasenko does. In some ways, the things you're saying about Tarasenko are the exact same in substance as what can be said about someone like Gaudreau (although his schtick obviously isn't physicality or size). The thing about those high-flying offensive talents is that they take a ton of attempts that go nowhere and fail. It's a numbers game though, if you shoot enough it's going to go in eventually. Guys like Tarasenko and Gaudreau generate that volume better than most, which makes those sometimes frustrating failures tolerable. It comes with the territory.

So, yes defenses have gotten better about dealing with Tarasenko, but along the way he's adapted as well, which is why his production is staying steady. Yes, you'd like to see improvement, but there just aren't many if any players who are doing that in the way that Tarasenko is. It's easy to pick on him when he makes mistakes, or when he hits a cold streak and the mistakes start to pile up. So, I don't really care if he is or isn't laying people out (in fact I'd prefer he didn't), as long as Tarasenko is being Tarasenko, there's no reason to worry.

Im speaking directly to Tarasenko's ability to bull his way to the net. Last year we saw a stark difference in it. Defense have developed ways to just box him out unlike before.

 

[Zamadoo]

I'm personally hoping Kostin can develop into a defensively responsible power forward to play LW with Tarasenko. I'd be pleased to see Kostin-Fabbri-Tarasenko in a few years.

 

[Halak Ness Monster]

Very true. For all the tank talk, Tarasenko has been underwhelming physically with the puck. I dont mean body checking but just puck protection and dictating where he's going. Dmen have figured him out and he hasnt done much to evolve his game

Tarasenko doesn't have many moves but these dmen that have "figured him out" aren't doing a whole bunch to slow him down as Vlad's production has been remarkably consistent.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

I'm personally hoping Kostin can develop into a defensively responsible power forward to play LW with Tarasenko. I'd be pleased to see Kostin-Fabbri-Tarasenko in a few years.

I like Kostin most on the right side, and I think he has the ability to be a top quality 2RW. He's got those Ruskie preferences where he likes to pull his shot from the middle of the ice, which makes playing his off-wing the sensible approach. I think everyone realizes that RW behind Tarasenko is one of our biggest weaknesses, but being able to slot in Kostin and Thompson behind Tarasenko within the next few years would go a long way to addressing that. Not to mention if Schenn doesn't shake out at center (I have my doubts), he's at his best on the right side as well. With Schwartz, Steen, Fabbri (if he doesn't shake out at center either), Sanford, Paajarvi, Sobotka, Berglund, and Jaskin all potentially at LW, I'm not at all concerned about filling out that depth chart. Spreading the love around the lineup as much as possible should be our goal.

 

[Dbrownss]

Tarasenko doesn't have many moves but these dmen that have "figured him out" aren't doing a whole bunch to slow him down as Vlad's production has been remarkably consistent.

While he is consistent, I'd like to see him evolve into the PPG player he's capable of. I havn't looked at the numbers but it seems like his playoff production is dropping and not remaining consistent

 

[STL fan in MN]

In the little video of Kostin I've seen, I see more of a net front presence from him than Tarasenko. Whether that continues into the AHL and NHL, I guess we'll see. Tarasenko seems to be as strong as an ox and utilizes it when driving to the net and leaning on defenders but he's not really all too physical and isn't a guy that'll just stand in front of the net and take punishment. That's not his game though as he's not a power forward. I could see Kostin being a power forward.

 

[The Note in MI]

They have the same cut to the middle as a lefty. The same ability to use a big body for shielding. Perhaps he will be more power forward. But stylistically he's not an easy comparison.

 

[Spektre]

I'm personally hoping Kostin can develop into a defensively responsible power forward to play LW with Tarasenko. I'd be pleased to see Kostin-Fabbri-Tarasenko in a few years.

Just for fun here's what I want to see. Blues vs Detroit in the Cap finals. The most dominant line being:

Kostin Barbashev Tarasenko

It would be nice to see the Red Wings get dominated by the Russians instead of the other way around.

 

[Zamadoo]

Just for fun here's what I want to see. Blues vs Detroit in the Cap finals. The most dominant line being:

Kostin Barbashev Tarasenko

It would be nice to see the Red Wings get dominated by the Russians instead of the other way around.

Haha, now we're talking.

 

[Robb_K]

I like Kostin most on the right side, and I think he has the ability to be a top quality 2RW. He's got those Ruskie preferences where he likes to pull his shot from the middle of the ice, which makes playing his off-wing the sensible approach. I think everyone realizes that RW behind Tarasenko is one of our biggest weaknesses, but being able to slot in Kostin and Thompson behind Tarasenko within the next few years would go a long way to addressing that. Not to mention if Schenn doesn't shake out at center (I have my doubts), he's at his best on the right side as well. With Schwartz, Steen, Fabbri (if he doesn't shake out at center either), Sanford, Paajarvi, Sobotka, Berglund, and Jaskin all potentially at LW, I'm not at all concerned about filling out that depth chart. Spreading the love around the lineup as much as possible should be our goal.

The Blues have lots of good young talent to fill out the wings. The big problem is still at centre. One or two of Schenn, Fabbri, Barbashev, Thompson, Kyrou or Sanford need to win a job there. Thomas will likely do that, but that's several years away. That will determine whether or not Stastny is re-signed, or for how many years his new contract will be.

Schenn has looked better at RW, Kostin at RW. Barbashev can also play either wing. Fabbri is good at LW, but can also play the right side. Kyrou can play RW well. Sanford can play either wing.Thompson plays best, at this point, at RW.

Personally, I think that Fabbri and Kyrou will eventually be able to win a centre position. And Thomas will, as well. But, until Thomas and Kyrou can be ready, they need a stopgap for the Top 6, THIS season, and next. I'm hoping that one of Schenn or Fabbri can take that #2 centre spot this season, and, perhaps Kyrou can be added next season, especially if Stastny doesn't get re-signed.

 

[Majorityof1]

The Blues have lots of good young talent to fill out the wings. The big problem is still at centre. One or two of Schenn, Fabbri, Barbashev, Thompson, Kyrou or Sanford need to win a job there. Thomas will likely do that, but that's several years away. That will determine whether or not Stastny is re-signed, or for how many years his new contract will be.

Schenn has looked better at RW, Kostin at RW. Barbashev can also play either wing. Fabbri is good at LW, but can also play the right side. Kyrou can play RW well. Sanford can play either wing.Thompson plays best, at this point, at RW.

Personally, I think that Fabbri and Kyrou will eventually be able to win a centre position. And Thomas will, as well. But, until Thomas and Kyrou can be ready, they need a stopgap for the Top 6, THIS season, and next. I'm hoping that one of Schenn or Fabbri can take that #2 centre spot this season, and, perhaps Kyrou can be added next season, especially if Stastny doesn't get re-signed.

Barbashev could play wing, but he IS a center. There is nothing in his development that hints that he cannot play center. He played C in the AHL and most of his 30 games with the big club. Granted his FO% was poor, but I chalk that up to being young. It was not so bad that he cannot improve. I don't think he struggled in that aspect in the AHL, but someone else who watched more could say better. Defensively, he plays the center role well and should have no problem with that aspect. I would really like to see him start the season at 3C to keep getting the experience at C. Put Sobotka on his wing to take the super-important face-offs and mentor him in good face-offs.

I am very confident Ivan will be a C. My only question is whether he will be a top-6 (2nd liner at worst who can play first line if needed), middle-6 (3rd liner who can play 2nd if needed) or bottom-6 caliber C (don't want him in the top 6). I think he is already middle-6, so I hope he can develop into a top 6, solidly 2nd line C.

 

[bluesfan94]

While he is consistent, I'd like to see him evolve into the PPG player he's capable of. I havn't looked at the numbers but it seems like his playoff production is dropping and not remaining consistent

Holy small sample size Batman

 

[BangarangxRufio]

Barbashev could play wing, but he IS a center. There is nothing in his development that hints that he cannot play center. He played C in the AHL and most of his 30 games with the big club. Granted his FO% was poor, but I chalk that up to being young. It was not so bad that he cannot improve. I don't think he struggled in that aspect in the AHL, but someone else who watched more could say better. Defensively, he plays the center role well and should have no problem with that aspect. I would really like to see him start the season at 3C to keep getting the experience at C. Put Sobotka on his wing to take the super-important face-offs and mentor him in good face-offs.

I am very confident Ivan will be a C. My only question is whether he will be a top-6 (2nd liner at worst who can play first line if needed), middle-6 (3rd liner who can play 2nd if needed) or bottom-6 caliber C (don't want him in the top 6). I think he is already middle-6, so I hope he can develop into a top 6, solidly 2nd line C.

Thank you! If Schenn doesnt work as #2 C I see Sobi or BBshv taking that spot. I was really excited when we drafted him as late as we did and after last season I'm very excited to see how he grows as a player. I also expect that we will see a larger contribution offensively from him this season.