After being released from his KHL team due to financial issues, Klim Kostin has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues, allowing him to come over to North America for next season to play in either the NHL or AHL. The 31st-overall pick has already made quite the impression at Blues development camp, after being relatively unseen in his draft year.
The Blues acquired the pick by trading Ryan Reaves to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Kostin has huge boom-or-bust potential. The Russian winger played in just a handful of games after losing most of his season to injury, but was still ranked as the top international skater by the NHL’s Central Scouting. His profile, as a do-it-all power winger that can skate, shoot and hit is one scouts drool over but still has to overcome some consistency issues (like most draft talents).
Kostin was selected first-overall in last year’s CHL import draft, but he’s already said he won’t play for Kootenay and signing his ELC makes that even more clear. The Blues want him to get into the system right away, as his offensive game is developed enough to jump right to the AHL level. There’s no guarantee he ever makes the NHL, but if initial reports out of camp are to be believed, he’s got his eye on the top league already and the talent to get there.