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

[Alklha]

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?

You are only subject to the NHL-CHL agreement if you are drafted out of the CHL, so it wouldn't apply to him if he decided to play a year in the CHL.

I don't think that is the right path though. There is no point in having another Jaskin situation where he leaves the pro game to be a man against boys in the CHL.

The Wolves might still be a viable option, if not then I am sure there are several AHL teams who are short on wingers who we could loan him to. Failing that we could persuade him to spend another year in Russia, I don't think that Tarasenko would need much prompting to convince that might be best for a year.

He had trouble scoring against men last season, but putting him in a situation where his physical advantage alone will probably let him put up 120 points in the WHL isn't the answer. I'd rather have him putting up 25 points in more limited ice time in the AHL, at least he would be developing all aspects of his game.

 

[Evocable Manager]

I'm certain we didn't draft him without a development plan.

I think he goes back to Russia for a year, play a full season in the KHL (also be healthy) and then after the upcoming season when our AHL situation is sorted out we bring him to St. Louis.

He seems fully committed to the NHL, so as long as he can be convinced to develop for one more year in Russia and then make the jump, everything will be fine. If we can play him in the AHL in a situation where he'll receive ice time (which he should, probably the most talented player on the Wolves, potentially even the entire AHL) then we have even more options.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

If I had my way he'd go to the CHL, even if he's overdeveloped for that league. That said, I'd be fine with either the AHL or KHL, but if they bench him over there then he might as well battle for ice time on the Wolves. He seems committed to playing in NA, which is good, but I am worried about having another Barbashev situation where he's not quiiiite ready and so he slips down the lineup. It wasn't a question of skill (obviously), he just wasn't ready. Kostin I think is further along than Barbashev was, and his size is pro-ready already, my only concern is that he'll get discouraged and go back to Russia. I hope he read Vladi's Players Tribune article, that's for sure. Having those two in camp together will be great for Kostin. If Toropchenko joins the party, all the better.

I *am* hoping Torps gets selected in the CHL draft or signs or whatever and can play up there this upcoming season. I think that would be good for him.

 

[OSA]

If I had my way he'd go to the CHL, even if he's overdeveloped for that league. That said, I'd be fine with either the AHL or KHL, but if they bench him over there then he might as well battle for ice time on the Wolves. He seems committed to playing in NA, which is good, but I am worried about having another Barbashev situation where he's not quiiiite ready and so he slips down the lineup. It wasn't a question of skill (obviously), he just wasn't ready. Kostin I think is further along than Barbashev was, and his size is pro-ready already, my only concern is that he'll get discouraged and go back to Russia. I hope he read Vladi's Players Tribune article, that's for sure. Having those two in camp together will be great for Kostin. If Toropchenko joins the party, all the better.

I *am* hoping Torps gets selected in the CHL draft or signs or whatever and can play up there this upcoming season. I think that would be good for him.

I think you're right about the CHL, so long as he's drafted by the right team in the right league.

A quick glance at the rosters of teams in the OHL's western conference would clearly show that there is a plethora of talent with solid competition every night. Itcertainly wouldn't be a wasted year for Klim.

However, I would be much more hesitant about him going to the Q. There would be a significant competition drop off there IMO.

I only suggest the CHL because if you can't control his playing time and opportunities in the AHL, then I'd envision that situation being far less helpful for his development this year.

 

[Bluesfan54]

I read an interview with him somewhere and he said he does NOT want to play in juniors, he wants to play against the bigger guys in the NHL if possible, or the AHL if not.

 

[rumrokh]

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.

I think Kostin is far from a sure bet, but he's way more physical and clearly has better vision/instincts than Grachev ever did. A lot of Grachev's success at the junior level was because of his size, reach, and shot. Kostin gets a lot done with his size and strength, but his positioning, reads, and puck distribution are way slicker and more natural to my eye. I'd say don't get too caught up in similarities in how they're built or how they move.

 

[Kasparov]

I read the same thing and i was happy to hear it. As others have mentioned, with the AHL situation the way that it is, I wouldn't mind him playing a year in the KHL to continue with his development. I wonder how adversely this deal with Vegas could affect prospect development. How are lines made up? Who's getting a legit shot at minutes? Now that I think of it, I wonder how the goalie situation is going to play out. I'd hate to see Husso riding the pine...but I don't want to get off topic here. Haha

If the kid really is as good as central scouting suggests, even if the wolves don't play him, you'd got to think that other teams in the league would be foaming at the mouth to get him on the team. Army even said that we may be loaning guys out, so really, who knows?

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

I read an interview with him somewhere and he said he does NOT want to play in juniors, he wants to play against the bigger guys in the NHL if possible, or the AHL if not.

Right, and he has been drafted by Kootenay but refuses to report there, not that anyone could blame him really, Kootenay has been downright awful since Reinhart left. He wants to play against older competition, which is admirable, and he's eligible to do it so why not? I'm totally fine with him taking the Alex Nylander route and going to the AHL sooner rather than later.

But there's a lot of adjustments to be made too. Smaller ice, bigger/faster players with more experience, new teammates, new systems, and he has only played 69 games in the last two years combined so the schedule is going to take some real getting used to. His conditioning is going to have to be intensive this summer. So, expectations should be measured for sure, and underperformance shouldn't be seen as failure, necessarily.

So, I would be absolutely shocked to see Kostin make the opening night roster, but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him be one of the last cuts. Where he goes after that, I don't have a problem with him going to the AHL, I would just prefer him to go dominate in the CHL somewhere, but I can see how that can be arduous for guys of his skill level (as it was for Fabbri). As long as he's on North American ice I'm happy.

 

[Celtic Note]

I am very happy with this pick. But, I am cautiously optimistic (shocker I know). Klim has some strong skills, but he needs to show a better level of execution and using his teammates next year. His shoulder injury is most likely the thing that hindered his production this year, but next year will prove or disprove that theory.

 

[tfriede2]

I am very happy with this pick. But, I am cautiously optimistic (shocker I know). Klim has some strong skills, but he needs to show a better level of execution and using his teammates next year. His shoulder injury is most likely the thing that hindered his production this year, but next year will prove or disprove that theory.

Oddly enough, multiple scouting reports say that he defers to his teammates too much and needs to shoot more. Although those same reports say he sometimes tries to do too much with the puck. Therefore, he likely just needs to get better at evaluating the play and picking his spots.

 

[Celtic Note]

Oddly enough, multiple scouting reports say that he defers to his teammates too much and needs to shoot more. Although those same reports say he sometimes tries to do too much with the puck. Therefore, he likely just needs to get better at evaluating the play and picking his spots.

When I say use his teammates better I am not talking about passing specifically. I just wanted to clarify. From the clips I have seen, he tries to do too much. He should use player screens, give and goes, and feed off player positioning better. Use your teammates to your advantage and work as a unit.

 

[Mike Liut]

I've asked 7 Amateur scouts, some active, some ex, about Klim Kostin.

6 out of 7 said he'll become a 1st line RW

1 said 2nd line RW

Twitter

 

[Stealth JD]

I've asked 7 Amateur scouts, some active, some ex, about Klim Kostin.

6 out of 7 said he'll become a 1st line RW

1 said 2nd line RW

Twitter

Boy Scouts or Girls Scouts?

 

[Mike Liut]

Boy Scouts or Girls Scouts?

LA Rams scouts

 

[Stealth JD]

LA Rams scouts

Now THAT would make sense.

 

[medkit]

Btw, he is apparently terminating his KHL deal and signing the ELC Tuesday, so I would not expect either KHl or juniors to happen. Appears everyone wants him in the AHL, which sounds right to me.

 

[2 Minute Minor]

Btw, he is apparently terminating his KHL deal and signing the ELC Tuesday, so I would not expect either KHl or juniors to happen. Appears everyone wants him in the AHL, which sounds right to me.

Regardless of how close he is to being an NHL player, I love to see the commitment to his NHL career and coming to North America. I hope Tarasenko can take him under his wing.

 

[phxblue]

Regardless of how close he is to being an NHL player, I love to see the commitment to his NHL career and coming to North America. I hope Tarasenko can take him under his wing.

Im sure Tank has talked to him on the phone atleast once already. Should be a great mentor for Kostin.

 

[rumrokh]

Im sure Tank has talked to him on the phone atleast once already. Should be a great mentor for Kostin.

First lesson: soup is meal.

 

[shpongle falls]

^^

I'm glad it sounds like he's gonna be in the AHL somewhere this year, even though a year in the KHL would be good, the sooner Kostin get's used to the smaller rink size and North American style the better. Let him tear it up in the AHL this year and maybe he'll be ready to go next year.

 

[Panic at the Back]

First lesson: soup is meal.

Kenny Banya does not agree.

 

[Mike Liut]

Kenny Banya does not agree.

If he crumbled crackers, its a meal

 

[Caser]

Imo, one of the greatest assets of Kostin is the gamebreaking talent - he is able and definitely not afraid to go there and generate some good offense.

 

[BangarangxRufio]

Great, so now we have the Danish Malkin and the next Russian Malkin too

All your Malkins are belong to us

I dont know why that phrasing had me laughing for 3 mins at my desk but its funny to me.

 

[BangarangxRufio]

I am big on Kostin since the first part of the Draft thread was opened
"SPOTS 21-31
Matthew Strome
Klim Kostin

The last 2 are great late rounders that I think would be a big add for the if we move Shatty to a top team."

But my biggest concerns are:

1. Chicago Wolves situation creating a difficult environment for him to grow and develop within(we really need our own AHL affiliate).
2. Due to #1 we rush him into NHL games before he is ready.

I think he could be the perfect #2RW for the , Possibly even next season, but I hope its because he is ready and adjusted to the NHL pace and style and not because we rush him.