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

[Dbrownss]

Good for Kostin, glad to see him get some time with the big team. Here's hoping he forces Army's hand and sticks in the lineup!

Side note, I don't really get all the Sanford hate. He's been pretty decent lately IMO (not GREAT, but decent enough). Guess the fanbase has to have a whipping boy and Steen is out for a while...

He hasn't though. He has gotten better over the last 2 games but that's because he stopped turning the puck over. Now he's just there. I rarely see him engage in a cycle with Perron and O'Reilly he just stands off to the side till they lose possesion. If he was on the 4th line.....whatever. He's been on the 2nd line and had killed 5v5 production for them. We've had to hear how Fabbri couldn't earn a spot.....but Sanford is gifted this spot.

 

[shpongle falls]

First off really pumped to finally see how Kostin looks during an NHL game assuming they play him. If I had to guess he'll play Saturday against the Ducks, gives him some time to practice with team and see how they play and then Kostin will give the Blues some fresh legs on the b2b game.

Sanford is just ok, not a top 6 talent right now and it makes no sense to put him with ROR and DP, would rather see Blais with them.

However I'd be very intrigued to see a Perron-O'Rielly-Kostin line and then put Sanford with Bozie and Blais. OR Schwartz-Schenn-Kostin, Blais-ROR-Perron, Sanford-Bozak-Thomas.

I would love to see what Berube could do with a big and skilled player like Kostin.

 

[542365]

Insurance if there is an issue. I hope he does play, just won't be mad if he doesn't.

He also gets a week's worth of NHL salary($830,000) versus a week's AHL salary($70,000). That along with a couple of practices with the big team is not "nothing", but I'd be pretty disappointed if he doesn't dress at least one of the games this weekend and I do think he will.

 

[Bye Bye Blueston]

That would be the opposite of what Armstrong has been saying though. So it's to be expected then.

He doesn't want Kostin sitting weeks at a time as 13th forward. I don't think being up here for 5 days and practicing and maybe playing 1 game is a negative.

 

[Dbrownss]

He doesn't want Kostin sitting weeks at a time as 13th forward. I don't think being up here for 5 days and practicing and maybe playing 1 game is a negative.

i hope he plays, I've liked what I saw in preseason games.

 

[Vincenzo Arelliti]

The hate for Sanford isn't just because of the Oshie trade, and it isn't just because of the Fabbri trade -- it's that he isn't a good player. He is at best slightly above an AHL tweener: he isn't really suited for either a top-6 or bottom-6 role. Yet he is often just gifted minutes. He's just not good enough to be more than a 13th forward, and while it's not the only reason he is criticized (his play is enough to do that), he didn't deserve to be the 13th forward -- Fabbri did, and MacMac does.

 

[The Note]

The hate for Sanford isn't just because of the Oshie trade, and it isn't just because of the Fabbri trade -- it's that he isn't a good player. He is at best slightly above an AHL tweener: he isn't really suited for either a top-6 or bottom-6 role. Yet he is often just gifted minutes. He's just not good enough to be more than a 13th forward, and while it's not the only reason he is criticized (his play is enough to do that), he didn't deserve to be the 13th forward -- Fabbri did, and MacMac does.

All of this. He doesn’t put up points (playing with two of the best forwards on the team), doesn’t hit, isn’t a great skater, not great in his own zone. He’s just...there. Yet he has the other spot on ROR wing seemingly in perpetuity.

 

[bradrich99]

All of this. He doesn’t put up points (playing with two of the best forwards on the team), doesn’t hit, isn’t a great skater, not great in his own zone. He’s just...there. Yet he has the other spot on ROR wing seemingly in perpetuity.

Not here to wave the flag for Sanford but he isn't just dead meat out there. Currently 4th on the team in hits, 5 amongst forwards in blocked shots and has a 4 to 1 takeaway/giveaway stat (best ratio on team) playing in just 14 of the 19 games so far. His offense certainly isn't where he or the team would like it to be but the same could be said for Thomas, Faulk, etc...

 

[bleedblue1223]

I don't understand the hate for someone who scored in game 7 of our only Stanley Cup championship. Yeah, he's not amazing, but he doesn't deserve those types of jokes anymore. I really thought this board would be a bit happier and more positive this year.

 

[MissouriMook]

The hate for Sanford isn't just because of the Oshie trade, and it isn't just because of the Fabbri trade -- it's that he isn't a good player. He is at best slightly above an AHL tweener: he isn't really suited for either a top-6 or bottom-6 role. Yet he is often just gifted minutes. He's just not good enough to be more than a 13th forward, and while it's not the only reason he is criticized (his play is enough to do that), he didn't deserve to be the 13th forward -- Fabbri did, and MacMac does.

Um, I'm pretty sure we got Sanford in the Shattenkirk trade, so I'm not sure why anyone would be hating on Sanford because of Oshie. We got Brouwer, Copley and a 3rd in the Oshie deal if I am remembering correctly. The rest of your post still stands, though.

 

[David Dennison]

Not here to wave the flag for Sanford but he isn't just dead meat out there. Currently 4th on the team in hits, 5 amongst forwards in blocked shots and has a 4 to 1 takeaway/giveaway stat (best ratio on team) playing in just 14 of the 19 games so far. His offense certainly isn't where he or the team would like it to be but the same could be said for Thomas, Faulk, etc...

Yeah, we are talking about our 10-12th forwards here. Mac^2, Sanford, of the Rose, Fabbri all have holes in their game.

I always say it's a good sign we are complaining about the bottom of our roster instead of the top of it, but f*** is it annoying when the fanbase targets one player averaging 11 minutes a game as the root of our non-existent issues.

 

[BlueDream]

Sanford definitely is the new whipping boy and a lot of it is undeserved.

Am I a huge fan of him? No. Can he be frustrating? Yes.

But yeah, he’s not as bad as this board would lead you to believe. He just needs to get out of the top 6.

 

[Bluesnatic27]

Could we move all this Sanford talk to an appropriate thread?

 

[STL fan in MN]

Sanford definitely is the new whipping boy and a lot of it is undeserved.

Am I a huge fan of him? No. Can he be frustrating? Yes.

But yeah, he’s not as bad as this board would lead you to believe. He just needs to get out of the top 6.

I would agree with this. Folks seem to be mad he’s getting minutes he hasn’t “earned.” But is it his fault he’s getting those minutes? That’s Berube’s choice so why not blame him instead of the player? Berube him on the 2nd line and Berube gave him that shot over Fabbri. Why blame Zach for that?

Personally, I think Sanford has been ok, pretty inconsistent but we have 2 key forwards injured so of course guys who don’t “deserve” a certain place in the lineup are going to receive it.

Sanford needs to step it up if he wants to keep his spot or any spot in the lineup once the Blues get healthy but I’m not going to harp on him getting an opportunity he doesn’t “deserve” that wasn’t a choice of his. I will say he’s looked better than DLR IMO in the short sample so far. Not really seeing what DLR adds so far. Hopefully he looks better as he gains chemistry with his teammates.

 

[David Dennison]

Methinks Kostin isn't gonna play.

 

[Celtic Note]

What’s the point of that? When he could just play a couple real games in the AHL. We have a back to back also so it’s not even like we will be practicing. He would probably have ONE practice.

Having both Sanford and DLR in there again would be laughable.

The expectations for practicing in the NHL are higher than the AHL. Simply getting some practice would be a positive for anyone’s development that doesn’t have that experience.

We all want to see what Klim can do in a regular season game. But, coach will probably want to see him get in practice first, unless he is not liking a current roster player to the point that pulling him out feels worth the risk. He didn’t do that when we had an option in Fabbri, granted we didn’t have DLR yet. So, maybe his thoughts have changed. Sanford has not been scratched for a while so Chief must be more enamored with his play that most Blues fans. We don’t have enough data to make a guess about how he feels about DLR.

 

[BlueDream]

Methinks Kostin isn't gonna play.

We have a back to back.

Get DLR/Sanford in another game and whoever looks weaker should come out. Kostin absolutely needs to play on Saturday.

 

[Oberyn]

I'm certainly guilty of trashing on Sanford but I don't think scoring in game 7 of the SCF should exempt him from criticism. Brouwer scored probably our biggest goal in post season history (at the time) and you'd be hard pressed to find many fans of him on this board.

Is it Sanford's fault that he's in the top six? No, that's Berube's decision and I've questioned his decision making on this matter multiple times. However, I do blame Sanford for not elevating his game despite being granted a glorious opportunity. He's playing with arguably our two best forwards this season and yet it feels like it's Perron and ROR that are doing all the work.

 

[David Dennison]

We have a back to back.

Get DLR/Sanford in another game and whoever looks weaker should come out. Kostin absolutely needs to play on Saturday.

Holy hyperbole Batman!

I guess there is another practice tomorrow, but there will only be an optional Saturday. If he is on the PTO line tomorrow at practice, I think only an injury would get him into the lineup.

 

[Brian39]

He hasn't though. He has gotten better over the last 2 games but that's because he stopped turning the puck over. Now he's just there. I rarely see him engage in a cycle with Perron and O'Reilly he just stands off to the side till they lose possesion. If he was on the 4th line.....whatever. He's been on the 2nd line and had killed 5v5 production for them. We've had to hear how Fabbri couldn't earn a spot.....but Sanford is gifted this spot.

This is a topic that hasn't been discussed much because Perron and ROR are still putting up points in OT and on the PP.

Perron doesn't have a 5 on 5 point in the month of November (6 games). ROR has one 5 on 5 point in that stretch. Sanford has 3 points through 14 games and only 1 of them has come with either of Perron and ROR on the ice. They are still playing pretty well defensively and Sanford deserves some credit for that. But we need more out of the 2nd line offensively and Sanford is very clearly limiting them. The 2nd line has been our worst offensive line at 5 on 5 while Sanford is on it. It is absolutely baffling to me that he is still playing next to ROR and Perron, especially with how well that line produced when Blais was there.

If Perron and ROR weren't racking up points together in situations where Sanford isn't on the ice, I don't think there is any way Berube could justify leaving Sanford on their line.

 

[LetsGoBooze]

I don't understand the hate for someone who scored in game 7 of our only Stanley Cup championship. Yeah, he's not amazing, but he doesn't deserve those types of jokes anymore. I really thought this board would be a bit happier and more positive this year.

My exact thoughts. Thankyou for voicing them.

 

[Ranksu]

I don't understand the hate for someone who scored in game 7 of our only Stanley Cup championship. Yeah, he's not amazing, but he doesn't deserve those types of jokes anymore. I really thought this board would be a bit happier and more positive this year.

People don't hate him, they are just bit disappointed his produce with our top guys like Perron and ROR. You should automatically get points playing with them.

I think Blues fans really hate only Allen. Or its just people losing total fate on him. I hate like Allen extension which is on Army. Same thing might be Faulk, but we can't over watch him yet.

 

[STL fan in MN]

From JR:

Kostin on the call-up being beneficial even if he doesn’t play: “Yeah exactly, I just want to learn every practice.” #stlblues

Some on this board: unacceptable if he doesn’t play a game.

Kostin himself: beneficial even if I only practice with the team.

Personally, I’d love to see Kostin get into the lineup Sat and see how he measures up but him simply practicing with the team for a few days and watching from the pressbox would be beneficial too - likely more beneficial to his overall longterm development than playing the Manitoba Moose twice this weekend IMO.

 

[Klank Loves You]

From JR:


Some on this board: unacceptable if he doesn’t play a game.

Kostin himself: beneficial even if I only practice with the team.

Personally, I’d love to see Kostin get into the lineup Sat and see how he measures up but him simply practicing with the team for a few days and watching from the pressbox would be beneficial too - likely more beneficial to his overall longterm development than playing the Manitoba Moose twice this weekend IMO.

Kostin is just showing that he has taken PR training. It would be pretty cruel to tease Kostin like this. He stuck around in training camp. He's seen what NHL practice looks like. Unless there is a specific goal for him to see while he is up, I'd much rather have called up someone like Nolan.

 

[Dbrownss]

People don't hate him, they are just bit disappointed his produce with our top guys like Perron and ROR. You should automatically get points playing with them.

I think Blues fans really hate only Allen. Or its just people losing total fate on him. I hate like Allen extension which is on Army. Same thing might be Faulk, but we can't over watch him yet.

I dont hate a single Blues player. I hate it that Sanford is getting minutes he dosen't deserve when using the criteria set by management. I do not hate him as a person. I dont hate Allen, I actually find him to be insightful to listen to but damn is he nerve racking to watch play. I do not like the on ice product, and I feel it is warranted. Berube is human and he has his biases, and in my opinion, I think it has clouded his judgment. Now that doesn't mean anything because I'm just a random guy and have zero input into it. But this is a discussion board, so I'll voice it.


Btw this isnt directed at you Ransku. Just piggybacking off your post