Klim Kostin Commits to CSKA Moscow
Klim Kostin, a former forward for the San Jose Sharks, has officially committed to remaining with CSKA Moscow after extending his contract through the 2028-29 season. The announcement came from the Russian club on Wednesday, solidifying Kostin’s presence in the KHL for the foreseeable future.
Career Overview
Kostin spent parts of two seasons with the Sharks, joining the team midway through the 2023-24 season and finishing in 2024-25, during which he played in just 54 games. His contributions to the Sharks included six goals and a total of 17 points, although he also accumulated 42 penalty minutes and recorded a disappointing -16 plus/minus rating.
Transition to KHL
After exiting the NHL and leaving the Sharks at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, the player transitioned to the Russian league, signing with Avangard Omsk. This marked a return to a familiar team where he had played during the 2020-21 season. However, his time in Omsk proved short-lived, as he managed only two points in 21 appearances, with a poor -7 rating before being traded to CSKA Moscow just ahead of the KHL trade deadline.
Performance with CSKA Moscow
Joining CSKA Moscow allowed Kostin to reunite with some familiar faces, including former Sharks, defenseman Nikita Okhotiuk and forward Nikolai Kovalenko. Upon arrival, Kostin experienced a modest increase in performance, netting two goals and three points over 10 games in the regular season, finishing even in plus/minus. Unfortunately, his playoff performance faltered, and he did not register any points before CSKA was ousted by Avangard Omsk in the postseason.
Future Outlook
With this new contract extension in place, which will carry him through until after he turns 30, it now seems unlikely that Kostin will make a return to the NHL anytime soon. His future looks set in Moscow as he aims to make a more significant impact in the KHL.
