Klim Kostin Returns to KHL
Klim Kostin, once a promising first-round draft choice for the St. Louis Blues, has made the decision to return to the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) after inking a contract with Avangard Omsk, as announced by the team on Monday.
Career Overview
Kostin was drafted 31st overall by the Blues in 2017, subsequently appearing in 46 NHL games where he netted four goals and accumulated 11 points.
During his time with the Blues, he frequently found himself bouncing between the NHL and their American Hockey League affiliate, leading to mixed results. His performance led to his trade to the Edmonton Oilers on October 9, 2022, in exchange for defenseman Dmitri Samorukov. At Edmonton, Kostin experienced a breakout season, rising to the occasion with 11 goals and 21 points over 57 games.
Recent Trades and Contract
This past offseason, he and teammate Kailer Yamamoto were traded to the Detroit Red Wings, where Kostin signed a two-year contract worth $2 million per season. However, his tenure there was brief, as he was traded to the San Jose Sharks midway through the season and subsequently saw his contract expire. With no interest from the Sharks to re-sign him, Kostin finds himself returning to Russia, a country where he previously won a Gagarin Cup in 2021.
Avangard Omsk’s Success
Avangard Omsk has experienced considerable success, currently leading the KHL’s Chernyshev Division with an impressive 29 points from 21 games. The team boasts notable players including Nail Yakupov, Michael McLeod, Vyacheslav Voynov, and Maxime Lajoie, along with Canadian head coach Guy Boucher.
General Manager’s Statement
Omsk’s general manager, Alexei Sopin, expressed enthusiasm about Kostin rejoining the team, stating, “We are pleased to welcome Klim back to Avangard. Given the time since our last discussions, we had to renegotiate, but his familiarity with North American coaching styles and his KHL experience makes him a valuable asset. He will participate in his first practice today and join the team for their upcoming Far East road trip.”
Conclusion
In total, Klim Kostin wraps up his NHL journey with 25 goals and 53 points scattered across 190 games as he transitions back to a league where he has previously found success.
