“I would like to try my luck again”: Former Oiler Klim Kostin interested in reunion
While the Edmonton market can be a pressure cooker, it doesn’t scare off some players, particularly Klim Kostin.
The center only spent one season with the Edmonton Oilers, but apparently he loved his time there, and would be more than willing to return, according to what he said to a Russian media outlet this week.
“In Edmonton, I wanted to die on the ice for the fans,” said Kostin. “There are rumours that the Oilers might make an offer too. Of course, this is my dream. They say you can’t step into the same river twice, but I would like to try my luck again. This is the place where I felt most comfortable with myself. In Edmonton, the fans understand hockey, they see all the little things, even if you didn’t score or make a mistake, but you gave it your all, they appreciated it, they were the ones who pushed you forward. I wanted to go out and die on the ice for these people for their emotions. It would be great to help Connor and Leon and the team win the cup, they deserve it.”
Kostin is an unrestricted free agent after the San Jose Sharks elected not to qualify him. According to AFP Analytics, he’s projected to get a one-year, $775,000 contract, although with training camps starting shortly, a professional tryout contract may be the most likely scenario for him to start the season.
Kostin played one season for the Oilers in 2022-23 after the team acquired him from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Dmitri Samorukov. Kostin had the best season of his NHL career with the Oilers, as he registered a career-high 11 goals and 10 assists for 21 points in 57 games in the regualr season, as well as three goals and two assists for five points in 12 games in what was his first, and currently only trip to the postseason in his NHL career.
Kostin was a restricted free agent in the 2023 offseason, and was dealt to the Detroit Red Wings along with Kailer Yamamoto for future considerations, where he then signed a two-year deal with a $2 million cap hit, and played part of the following season before he was dealt to the Sharks.
Kostin had one goal and six assists for seven points in 35 games with the Sharks last season.