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

[STL BLUES]

He was projected to be a 5th pick before his shoulder blowout. Some reports said the top five have the potential to be NHL ready.

What the Germans did is anybody's guess. If they stapled his bicep in place then he will not have any further issues with separations. But, I doubt anybody at our level knows which procedure he had done.

Our AHL situation is supposed to be clarified very soon according to Army. If not there are plenty of teams that would love to have Klim on the regulars roster. Which would mean Double K is theirs for the entire season.

Double K Defined: An obscenely testosterone-fueled webcomic based off of a popular anime series called Gurren Lagann. It features two main characters from the show, Kamina and Kittan, as an unstoppable, kickass buddy cop duo.

He's not going to learn the North American game over in the KHL. He should do a year in the AHL and maybe sprinkle in a couple of NHL games depending upon his development and our need.

 

[2 Minute Minor]

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.

I have to think there is a lot more definition to the Chicago AHL situation than has been shared with the public. I think the amount of money the Blues contribute is probably pretty concrete, and that the number of roster spots for Blues' players is also pretty concrete. Its just that as fans we don't really know the deal. (Would be cool if a beat reporter asked about that.)

Anyway, I think the team is probably going to budget who is getting the spots, and will already know where they want Kostin to go. If they're letting him go through with terminating his KHL deal, I think they must be comfortable with a place to send him.

 

[BangarangxRufio]

I have to think there is a lot more definition to the Chicago AHL situation than has been shared with the public. I think the amount of money the Blues contribute is probably pretty concrete, and that the number of roster spots for Blues' players is also pretty concrete. Its just that as fans we don't really know the deal. (Would be cool if a beat reporter asked about that.)

Anyway, I think the team is probably going to budget who is getting the spots, and will already know where they want Kostin to go. If they're letting him go through with terminating his KHL deal, I think they must be comfortable with a place to send him.

I agree, getting some more knowledge on how its going to be governed would be nice.
Do we know if the are looking to split after this season or are we staying the Chicago Blue Knights for a while? I really hope they get a AHL in KC, I would love to be able to watch our younger talent play first hand!

 

[tfriede2]

The scouting reports make him out to be the complete package. Physical, gritty, finesse, excellent shot, playmaker, great size. However, he slipped for a reason (not just due to his shoulder). He is sometimes inconsistent and disappears for stretches. His defensive side of the game is lacking at times. Thankfully, these are things that can be fixed, but it's all up to the player. Will be interesting to see how he pans out.

 

[Alklha]

I have to think there is a lot more definition to the Chicago AHL situation than has been shared with the public. I think the amount of money the Blues contribute is probably pretty concrete, and that the number of roster spots for Blues' players is also pretty concrete. Its just that as fans we don't really know the deal. (Would be cool if a beat reporter asked about that.)

Anyway, I think the team is probably going to budget who is getting the spots, and will already know where they want Kostin to go. If they're letting him go through with terminating his KHL deal, I think they must be comfortable with a place to send him.

This deal has been in the works for months, and it was formally agreed to 6 weeks ago. I'm pretty sure that Amrstrong has a very clear view on the position we are in, and I doubt it gets publicly shared.

The positive is that the Wolves want to win and that McPhee strongly believes that winning in the AHL is the best possible development for his young players. I don't think he is going to have a problem with his guys getting a little ice time if it means they are in a winning environment. He'll want out best young players there.

If Kostin is there, and plays well, then he will get the minutes he deserves. The issue is how many of our guys will that apply to, and will they all be used in the situations that we would prefer.

I agree, getting some more knowledge on how its going to be governed would be nice.
Do we know if the are looking to split after this season or are we staying the Chicago Blue Knights for a while? I really hope they get a AHL in KC, I would love to be able to watch our younger talent play first hand!

The AHL will be adding a team for the 2018/19 season, so the split roster is a one year thing.

Some rumours that the AHL aren't a big fan of the Blues ownership because we dumped the money pit that was Peoria. Sounds like another NHL franchise is going to be bringing in a new AHL franchise, so we'll take the team they are currently affiliated with.

Current talk is that it'll be Colorado owning the new franchise, and we'll affiliate with the San Antonio Rampage.

 

[2 Minute Minor]

I would love being able to go to San Antonio to watch the baby Blues. Its about 2-3 hours from here, so I could do that regularly.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

Via Redline:

31. St. Louis Blues (from Pittsburgh) — RW Klim Kostin. Big fierce bull utterly dominates in contested space, tossing opponents aside and dictating play along the boards. Can win with either brute force or finesse. Extremely competitive and really stands up for teammates. Huge and plays with a nasty, chippy edge. Mean and hits to hurt when aroused. Big, rangy winger with very good hands and puck-handling skills. Has long reach and uses it to keep defenders off the puck. Slick stickhandler has a ton of subtle, intelligent moves. Hard to contain or read what direction he’s headed. Shoots bullets and is a natural goal scorer. Surprisingly nimble skater is both fast in a straight line and has east-west agility and elusiveness. Easily frustrated and has a short fuse — can lose focus and discipline. Suffered a shoulder injury in December’s World Jr. A tourney that required season ending surgery.

 

[carter333167]

Via Redline:

Redline really uses some grandiose language regarding all of the guys in the first round....I think they stated that Tolvanen has the best one timer since Brett Hull.....that's some serious praise.

 

[sh724]

I hope he is in the AHL next season.

I wouldnt mind him being in the CHL if there is an agreement in place that he will report if Kootenay trades his rights to a good team. Kootenay is a dumpster fire right now and i dont want him anywhere near there.

As far as the KHL goes he would be playing for Moscow which is full of talented veterans their VHL team is just as good if not better than several KHL teams. Tarasenko was playing regularly in the KHL at the same age but he wasnt on anywhere near as a talented a team as Moscow. If he were to stay in Russia he would get very limited minutes and would be in the press box regularly or they would send him back to the VHL where he would still be getting limited minutes in league well below the quality of the AHL.

The Blues have an actual contract in place with the Wolves/Knights for the AHL. They were probably waiting for the expansion draft and entry draft to finalize the details so VKG would have an idea of how many players they would send to the AHL, which won't be very many.

This is not the first time there has been more NHL teams than AHL teams. NHL teams have shared affiliates before. There will be contracts stating what the Blues get and what the blues have to give up. Its only for one year, some people are very concerned about this but it is really not a big deal at all. If the Blues are limited on roster spots they can send players to any other AHL team just by making a couple phone calls. They can either 'loan' the player which means the player is stuck there all season of the Blues can assign a player to an AHL team and still be able to recall them just as they do with their own affiliate. If the Blues have to loan a couple players that have zero chance of being in the NHL this season to a random AHL, ECHL, or even a Euro team, its far from the end of the world.

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

Right now, there will potentially be 18 forwards vying for time in Chicago, and (as of now) 5/6 defensemen.

LW:
Blais, Nosek, Pulkkinen, MacEachern, Leipsic, Carrier

C:
Sanford, Brickley, Duke, Musil, Bleackley, Megan

RW:
Thompson, Tuch, Kostin, Kolesar, Wong, Hyka

I have no idea, but I would imagine at least one of Leipsic, Carrier, and Pulkkinen will be in Vegas more or less full time. It wouldn't surprise me to see Sanford in St. Louis full time, although I would prefer he stay in Chicago. It's also possible that Vegas sends guys like Wong and Kolesar to the ECHL, although I would imagine both would do fine in the AHL. But, no matter how you slice it, it's going to be a tight squeeze in Chicago. It's where Kostin ought to be, it's just going to be tricky finding a way to get him and everybody else in at the same time.

 

[MissouriMook]

Right now, there will potentially be 18 forwards vying for time in Chicago, and (as of now) 5/6 defensemen.

LW:
Blais, Nosek, Pulkkinen, MacEachern, Leipsic, Carrier

C:
Sanford, Brickley, Duke, Musil, Bleackley, Megan

RW:
Thompson, Tuch, Kostin, Kolesar, Wong, Hyka

I have no idea, but I would imagine at least one of Leipsic, Carrier, and Pulkkinen will be in Vegas more or less full time. It wouldn't surprise me to see Sanford in St. Louis full time, although I would prefer he stay in Chicago. It's also possible that Vegas sends guys like Wong and Kolesar to the ECHL, although I would imagine both would do fine in the AHL. But, no matter how you slice it, it's going to be a tight squeeze in Chicago. It's where Kostin ought to be, it's just going to be tricky finding a way to get him and everybody else in at the same time.

Depending on what they do in free agency, I could two of the three being there.

 

[DatDude44]

Can we all please start calling him Klim Shady? or Milky(Klim backwards is milk lol)

 

[Edgar Carrow]

Can we all please start calling him Klim Shady? or Milky(Klim backwards is milk lol)

I like Milk.

 

[STL BLUES]

Can we all please start calling him Klim Shady? or Milky(Klim backwards is milk lol)

Wish I had the picture of Klim at the Combines cause he's a beast.

Since his initials are KK we could call him "Kong"!

From the movie character King Kong.

 

[DatDude44]

He's the real klim shady doe.

 

[Bluesnatic27]

I'm always a fan of snapping into a Klim-Jim, personally.

 

[Lord Helix]

Klim Jong Il

 

[WeWantTacos]

Klimchi
Klimbo Slice
Klim Kardashian
Lil' Klim
Fatboy Klim
Diklimbe Mutombo

 

[phxblue]

Klim burgers in Paradise

 

[MortiestOfMortys]

From 30 Thoughts:

"23. The Blue Jackets must have been disappointed Vladislav Gavrikov signed a two-year deal in Russia as he was visiting North America. He was traded in the KHL from Lokomotiv to St. Petersburg, a much wealthier team. That country badly wanted him for the Olympics and are very happy to keep him. That is one reason Klim Kostin dropped to 31st in the draft, as teams are always wary of this. Evidently, the Blues got assurances it wouldn’t be a problem. Also, Kostin wants to play in the AHL, not juniors. Some teams preferred the opposite, but it clearly doesn’t bother St. Louis."

 

[BlueDream]

I'm glad the Blues are a team that takes chances on these players now. It's worth it.

 

[Oberyn]

Blues seem to love going with a Canadian with their first pick and then a Russian with their second.

Schwartz-Tarasenko
Fabbri-Barbashev
Thomas-Kostin

 

[Bluesnatic27]

Blues seem to love going with a Canadian with their first pick and then a Russian with their second.

Schwartz-Tarasenko
Fabbri-Barbashev
Thomas-Kostin

Hey, if ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[BlueDream]

Blues seem to love going with a Canadian with their first pick and then a Russian with their second.

Schwartz-Tarasenko
Fabbri-Barbashev
Thomas-Kostin

Judging by how those first 2 worked out, they can keep doing this.

Alright thanks Bill.

 

[Oberyn]

Hey, if ain't broke, don't fix it.

Without a doubt. Just a funny trend I noticed.