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

[LetsGoBooze]

Im more excited about Kostin then Thomas. I think he also makes the roster quicker. Although, i did like both picks.

 

[Stealth JD]

Just watch the tape and it'll tell you everthing you need to know....Kostin had a shoulder injury that basically ruined his season. Grachev did not. Grachev was a 3rd rd pick and i highly doubt grachev was the #1 ranked European skater in the draft. I understand the similarities between size, unknownness, hands etc.... but grachev's skills and hands were not near the level of kostins.

No offense, but that's a terrible argument. The competition of ones draft class determines final rankings and 2008 saw the likes of Karlsson, Filatov, Josi & Voynov ranked at the top. That's no indictment of Grachev's talent...many pre-draft rankings speculated he was a 1st round talent. And Kostin's top-ranking doesn't amount to much if scouts think his peers aren't very good...and if he's not ultimately selected according to the rankings. Grachev was very talented and highly regarded going into the draft. Don't give me the "watch the tape" and "he was a third rounder" non-sense. Both guys had question-marks, the least of which revolves around the shoulder injury to Kostin.

I know, I know...shiny new toy syndrome here...but the expectation of Kostin being NHL-ready at some point next season is kind of hilarious. Blues will be lucky if he's a third liner who can keep a roster spot two or three years from now.

 

[542365]

No offense, but that's a terrible argument. The competition of ones draft class determines final rankings and 2008 saw the likes of Karlsson, Filatov, Josi & Voynov ranked at the top. That's no indictment of Grachev's talent...many pre-draft rankings speculated he was a 1st round talent. And Kostin's top-ranking doesn't amount to much if scouts think his peers aren't very good...and if he's not ultimately selected according to the rankings. Grachev was very talented and highly regarded going into the draft. Don't give me the "watch the tape" and "he was a third rounder" non-sense. Both guys had question-marks, the least of which revolves around the shoulder injury to Kostin.

I know, I know...shiny new toy syndrome here...but the expectation of Kostin being NHL-ready at some point next season is kind of hilarious. Blues will be lucky if he's a third liner who can keep a roster spot two or three years from now.

Now you're just going the opposite extreme. He's a third liner if we're lucky? Really? C'mon. That's just stupid. I know you like to be the eternal pessimist, but literally everyone is saying he has top line talent with some question marks. He's a home run swing. If he's a third liner we did not get lucky. That should be about as low of an expectation as you can possibly have for him if he becomes an NHLer.

 

[Edgar Carrow]

No offense, but that's a terrible argument. The competition of ones draft class determines final rankings and 2008 saw the likes of Karlsson, Filatov, Josi & Voynov ranked at the top. That's no indictment of Grachev's talent...many pre-draft rankings speculated he was a 1st round talent. And Kostin's top-ranking doesn't amount to much if scouts think his peers aren't very good...and if he's not ultimately selected according to the rankings. Grachev was very talented and highly regarded going into the draft. Don't give me the "watch the tape" and "he was a third rounder" non-sense. Both guys had question-marks, the least of which revolves around the shoulder injury to Kostin.

I know, I know...shiny new toy syndrome here...but the expectation of Kostin being NHL-ready at some point next season is kind of hilarious. Blues will be lucky if he's a third liner who can keep a roster spot two or three years from now.

It's also a terrible argument to count words shared between the scouting reports of two prospects to determine how similar their careers will be.

 

[2 Minute Minor]

Zero chance Kostin starts in the NHL this year. I love the pick as much as anybody but let's be honest. Let's see him light up a league before he makes the show.

In his post-draft interview Bill Armstrong said more than once that Kostin has a long way to go to be an NHL player. But you could see he was excited for his future. Basically said he had to make sure it wasn't a dream last night when he woke up this morning.

 

[Stealth JD]

Now you're just going the opposite extreme. He's a third liner if we're lucky? Really? C'mon. That's just stupid. I know you like to be the eternal pessimist, but literally everyone is saying he has top line talent with some question marks. He's a home run swing. If he's a third liner we did not get lucky. That should be about as low of an expectation as you can possibly have for him if he becomes an NHLer.

It's also a terrible argument to count words shared between the scouting reports of two prospects to determine how similar their careers will be.

My having said he'll be lucky to be a third-rounder in two-three years, isn't a reflection of my view of his talent (or lack thereof), nor is it based on the notion of what Grachev ultimately became, which is an 'ok' KHL-er. It's based on the question-marks with his abilities, the realistic upside that he may or may not have and the knowledge that not every first rounder becomes an NHL'er, let alone a top-line NHL'er. The 31st pick in ANY draft is absolutely lucky to be holding down a roster spot as soon as 2-3 years post-draft. This shouldn't be blasphemy to suggest that he's equally likely (or more) to bust than boom considering the quality of this draft class and his concerns relative to his peers. That doesn't make me an eternal pessimist...it just means my expectations aren't as outrageous as many that I've seen. Expecting greatness simply sets a lot of people up for disappointment.

 

[simon IC]

My having said he'll be lucky to be a third-rounder in two-three years, isn't a reflection of my view of his talent (or lack thereof), nor is it based on the notion of what Grachev ultimately became, which is an 'ok' KHL-er. It's based on the question-marks with his abilities, the realistic upside that he may or may not have and the knowledge that not every first rounder becomes an NHL'er, let alone a top-line NHL'er. The 31st pick in ANY draft is absolutely lucky to be holding down a roster spot as soon as 2-3 years post-draft. This shouldn't be blasphemy to suggest that he's equally likely (or more) to bust than boom considering the quality of this draft class and his concerns relative to his peers. That doesn't make me an eternal pessimist...it just means my expectations aren't as outrageous as many that I've seen. Expecting greatness simply sets a lot of people up for disappointment.

I completely agree. Kostin has a lot to learn yet. First he has to adjust his game to North American ice. This process is not as easy or automatic as some people think. Not all players make the adjustment quickly. Then there is his shoulder. He says it's 100%. Well what else is he going to say at draft time? I'm a little skeptical, and I hope Blues brass are too. I think he could really benefit from a year in the AHL, where his progress and health can be monitored. I really like the drive and ambition evident in his interviews, so I am cautiously optimistic. Caution does not equal pessimism.

 

[Dbrownss]

Some ***** Ya'll act like the Blues brass arent professionals and don't how to do their homework. Bill Armstrong mentioned his Shoulder was repaired in Germany. Id have to imagine medical records were gone over and studied by doctors.


Kostin his big, can skate, can shoot and pass. The only knock i see is he might be getting ahead of himself. As long as thats just gusto and he's willing to earn his time. He'll be fine.

 

[TK 421]

Personally I think he's getting way ahead of himself if he thinks he has even a remote shot at playing NHL hockey this coming season. He has an impressive set of skills already but I hope he will be happy as an AHLer this year cause that's where he's playing if he's determined to stay in NA. I wonder if perhaps staying another year in Russia might be best for his long term development. I really hope he listens to whatever advice Tarasenko has for him.

 

[execwrite]

I think we need to see what Kostin brings to camp and then we'll know. I wouldn't rule out him starting as the RW2 or taking the spot after a month or so in the AHL.

 

[carter333167]

If we had the spot in the AHL, he would definitely be playing the year there. The question is whether we can get him time in the AHL. It won't help for him to ride the pine in the AHL.

 

[TK 421]

I think we need to see what Kostin brings to camp and then we'll know. I wouldn't rule out him starting as the RW2 or taking the spot after a month or so in the AHL.

No offense to you execwrite, nor to anyone else who has this same opinion but that seems really, REALLY optimistic and I'm thrilled with this pick.

We acquired Brayden Schenn who evidently plays best at RW according to Flyers fans, seems much more likely he'll be the no2 RW.

 

[TheDizee]

schwartz-steen-tarsenko
fabbri-stastny-schenn
berglund-sobotka-X
X-Brodziak-X

multiple people to fill the X's and I think first slot goes to Paarjavi. I personally hope they bring one more legit NHLer in as well.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

I know the problem here: Kostin isn't 5'9", so he's obviously bad.

No but for real though, we lucked out picking the 1st ranked Euro player (who remained the 1st ranked Euro player DESPITE missing all but 5 regular season games), with the last pick in the 1st round, for the cost of a 4th liner and a 2nd round pick. Obviously, there's a chance he busts. There's always a chance. Filatov was supposed to have boatloads of skill, and he busted (or was ruined by Hitch, one or the other).

But dude, we're not even 24 hours past the pick and apparently we've hit our quota of optimism. His shoulder is bunk. He'll bust just like Grachev (who was selected in the 3rd round without "dropping," and was acquired by us for a 3rd rounder... obviously there's a difference here). Scouts' and experts' opinions don't matter. He's going to bust.

Totally ignoring the fact that if we had taken literally anybody else in that spot, it would be equally, if not more likely that they bust too. Nevermind that people on these boards have been begging for a high-risk high-reward pick for years now.

Idk, to me, whining about how Kostin, or Thomas, or whoever may or may not bust at this point is being pessimistic just to be pessimistic. Hating on Kostin because somebody else that sort of reminds you of him didn't turn out all that well is horrible justification for doing so.

If Kostin busts, then I won't care about him. If Kostin turns out to be what 99% of people seem to think he will turn out to be, then I'll care about him a lot. So, if it's ok to be optimistic every now and then and not just whine and fret and complain about every single little thing and assume the worst possible scenario is going to be reality, I'm going to focus on what he can be in the best of circumstances.

I almost guarantee he turns out better than Vilardi, that's for sure.

 

[TK 421]

I know the problem here: Kostin isn't 5'9", so he's obviously bad.

No but for real though, we lucked out picking the 1st ranked Euro player (who remained the 1st ranked Euro player DESPITE missing all but 5 regular season games), with the last pick in the 1st round, for the cost of a 4th liner and a 2nd round pick. Obviously, there's a chance he busts. There's always a chance. Filatov was supposed to have boatloads of skill, and he busted (or was ruined by Hitch, one or the other).

But dude, we're not even 24 hours past the pick and apparently we've hit our quota of optimism. His shoulder is bunk. He'll bust just like Grachev (who was selected in the 3rd round without "dropping," and was acquired by us for a 3rd rounder... obviously there's a difference here). Scouts' and experts' opinions don't matter. He's going to bust.

Totally ignoring the fact that if we had taken literally anybody else in that spot, it would be equally, if not more likely that they bust too. Nevermind that people on these boards have been begging for a high-risk high-reward pick for years now.

Idk, to me, whining about how Kostin, or Thomas, or whoever may or may not bust at this point is being pessimistic just to be pessimistic. Hating on Kostin because somebody else that sort of reminds you of him didn't turn out all that well is horrible justification for doing so.

If Kostin busts, then I won't care about him. If Kostin turns out to be what 99% of people seem to think he will turn out to be, then I'll care about him a lot. So, if it's ok to be optimistic every now and then and not just whine and fret and complain about every single little thing and assume the worst possible scenario is going to be reality, I'm going to focus on what he can be in the best of circumstances.

I almost guarantee he turns out better than Vilardi, that's for sure.

If I'm not mistaken Galchenyuk missed all but 5 games his draft year as well, funny coincidence.

Where do you see him this year? He seems determined that he'll stay in NA, but with our unique situation regarding the Wolves and potentially not seeing a ton of ice time is there still a possibility of him staying one more year in Russia?

 

[DatDude44]

No offense, but that's a terrible argument. The competition of ones draft class determines final rankings and 2008 saw the likes of Karlsson, Filatov, Josi & Voynov ranked at the top. That's no indictment of Grachev's talent...many pre-draft rankings speculated he was a 1st round talent. And Kostin's top-ranking doesn't amount to much if scouts think his peers aren't very good...and if he's not ultimately selected according to the rankings. Grachev was very talented and highly regarded going into the draft. Don't give me the "watch the tape" and "he was a third rounder" non-sense. Both guys had question-marks, the least of which revolves around the shoulder injury to Kostin.

I know, I know...shiny new toy syndrome here...but the expectation of Kostin being NHL-ready at some point next season is kind of hilarious. Blues will be lucky if he's a third liner who can keep a roster spot two or three years from now.

I never said he'd start off in the NHL and i don't think he should. I think he needs to play in the A and polish his game but the gamebreaking skill is there. I love kostins combo of speed, size, hands and vision with a pretty good shot. I'm not saying he's tarasenko and i'm not saying he's in the NHL right now...but i think he can be a big time player for us within the next 2-3 years from now if he develops right. I think alot of Kostins development will come down to his work ethic and dedication, the tools are there.

 

[Kasparov]

I love the optimism of everyone, but management has said he has a long way to go in order to get to The Show. No way he makes the team out of camp. I'd love to see him in the AHL next year so we can keep an eye on his development better, but if there is one thing i think we've learned from Tarasenko, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if he stayed over there. Maybe he gets a better shot at better competition in Mother Russia than he would on the bus in the A.

Regardless, I was legitimately jumping up and down last night after we grabbed him. People keep talking about him being high risk/high reward, but there wasn't much risk for us to be taking him at 31st overall. Hell, i wanted him at 20th. To get him along with everything else...i'm just over the moon right now. what a great night for this franchise.

 

[phxblue]

I love the optimism of everyone, but management has said he has a long way to go in order to get to The Show. No way he makes the team out of camp. I'd love to see him in the AHL next year so we can keep an eye on his development better, but if there is one thing i think we've learned from Tarasenko, it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if he stayed over there. Maybe he gets a better shot at better competition in Mother Russia than he would on the bus in the A.

Regardless, I was legitimately jumping up and down last night after we grabbed him. People keep talking about him being high risk/high reward, but there wasn't much risk for us to be taking him at 31st overall. Hell, i wanted him at 20th. To get him along with everything else...i'm just over the moon right now. what a great night for this franchise.

The thing that gets me most excited about Kostin is the scouting report that said he had a tremendous work ethic. Another said he is a great competitor.

Some guys have naturally ability, yes. But what makes a player a great professional is the preparation work they put in before the game.

This kid could end up being the Draisatl to our McDavid (him and Vladdy).

Only time will tell, but I am super excited about this pick right now.

 

[OSA]

It would be a nice scenario if Kootenay were to relinquish his rights and London then selected him as a reentry in the CHL import draft. Excellent coaching, very good competition in the OHL western conference plus 1st line minutes every night with Rob Thomas. He would be a 1 year and done player in that league then, when the Blues have reorganized their own AHL team, he'd be getting optimum opportunities there 14 months from now.

 

[BlueDream]

Well Bill Armstrong admitted that they had no idea Fabbri would be ready for the NHL that quickly. So I'm just saying, things change fast. We won't really know who's ready until we get to training camp.

But I don't want him to make the team this year anyways. I don't see any room for him. So I'm fine waiting at least a year or 2 for that.

 

[EastonBlues22]

Don't know if I've said it yet, but I liked this pick. Great value for the draft slot, and getting that pick for Reaves was a hell of a deal.

Don't think he hits the NHL for at least a few years, but that shouldn't be expected of anyone drafted where he went. It will be interesting to see how things work out in the AHL for him given the awkward situation the Blues find themselves in there.

 

[ezcreepin]

I completely agree. Kostin has a lot to learn yet. First he has to adjust his game to North American ice. This process is not as easy or automatic as some people think. Not all players make the adjustment quickly. Then there is his shoulder. He says it's 100%. Well what else is he going to say at draft time? I'm a little skeptical, and I hope Blues brass are too. I think he could really benefit from a year in the AHL, where his progress and health can be monitored. I really like the drive and ambition evident in his interviews, so I am cautiously optimistic. Caution does not equal pessimism.

Sure, he can say he's healthy and his shoulder is fine, but if the Blues have good doctors and trainers, it would be so extremely easy to tell if his shoulder hadn't healed. First, he'd show extreme weakness with certain exercises, as well as possible weird positions his shoulder is in due to the fact that the scapula isn't connected to any bone (it's a freely moveable bone). Again, assuming our trainers are good, they should have dismissed any concerns before drafting him, though this is my opinion.

 

[Stealth JD]

For the record - I'm not predicting that he will bust. I think he can be a production NHL'er capable of 40-50 points one day. But stylistically, and size-wise he DOES remind me a Grachev. Let's hope he can fulfill his NHL potential.

 

[MissouriMook]

Is anyone clear on the rules he would be subject to related to the NHL-CHL agreement? Since he has apparently already been deemed eligible for the AHL, can he elect to play a year in the CHL and then go to the AHL?

 

[Falco Lombardi]

The headache that is the AHL situation could really hinder him.