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2024 player review Klim Kostin: Change is good

Mar 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; San Jose Sharks center Klim Kostin (10) tries to score against Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Petr Mrazek (34) during the second period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

San Jose Sharks General Manager Mike Grier has consistently said that he wants the Sharks to be a difficult team to play against. For the current iteration of the Sharks, that’s less about the skill (though that’s important too) and more about the attitude, the grit and the style of play that leads to that type team. That’s why it didn’t feel like a strange move when Grier traded for Klim Kostin at the deadline.

Kostin is the type of guy who brings the sandpaper that Grier is looking for. He’ll take a hit to make a play and deliver one as part of a heavy forecheck. He’s not afraid to fight and he’ll jump into a shoving match, especially if someone is trying to take liberties with his teammates. He plays the way Grier wants all the Sharks to play.

Kostin’s 2023-24 production

For Kostin, his most recent season was split between the Sharks and the Detroit Red Wings. The San Jose Sharks traded a 2024 seventh-round draft pick and Radim Simek to the Red Wings for Kostin, who is signed through next season.

Games PlayedGAPts+/-TOI/G
528614-1210:54
Stats courtesy of NHL.com.

Kostin wrapped the season with 14 points in 52 games. Not exactly thrilling numbers, especially if you’re a Sharks fan looking for hope. However, in the case of Kostin, there’s a bit more lying beneath these basic stats.

Kostin’s use during a game

To truly understand what you’re getting in Kostin as a player, you need to look at his numbers over the past two seasons and break them out by team.

Games PlayedGAPts+/-TOI/G
57 (2022-23 Oilers)111021+1210:03
33 (2023-24 Red Wings)314-28:42
19 (2023-24 Sharks)5510-1014:43
Stats courtesy of NHL.com.

Looking at the stats this way helps illustrate that it simply may not have been a good fit between Kostin and the Red Wings. Kostin was consistently frustrated by the way he was deployed in Detroit. He felt he was a better player than Detroit’s coaching staff gave him credit for. He was a healthy scratch for several games just before the trade. It was the healthy scratches that ultimately pushed Detroit General Manager Steve Yzerman to make the trade.

“He’s a young player that wants to play and wants an opportunity, and he just wasn’t getting that,” Yzerman told the Detroit Free Press after the trade. “So it’s best for them, it’s best for us. We couldn’t afford to have a $2-million forward not in the lineup next year.”

Fans could argue that Kostin didn’t deserve the ice time on a team more skilled than the Sharks, but his time with the Edmonton Oilers last season seems to counter that argument. Kostin was used more than 10 minutes per game and played 57 games with the Oilers and had a 21-point season. He was effective when given the opportunity.

Other numbers stand out as well. For Kostin, Evolving-Hockey reports the ratio of the differential between takeaways and giveaways was minus-8 with the Red Wings. It was a plus-two with the Sharks. Kostin’s GAR (goals above replacement) with the Sharks was a positive 1.2, while his GAR with the Red Wings was a negative 0.3.

Yes, the Red Wings were a better team, but Kostin didn’t seem to fit.

Change of scenery seemed to help Kostin

In fact, in many statistical categories, Kostin performed better with the Sharks than with the Red Wings. Following the trade deadline, Kostin appeared to be revitalized. He had five points in his first five games with the Sharks, including the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 14, when he had a goal and an assist.

On April 1, Kostin scored his fourth goal in teal. While he didn’t say anything bad about the Red Wings after the game. It was clear that he felt better playing for the Sharks. Even though the team lost, Kostin talked postgame about his joy playing in San Jose.

“I just feel alive again and enjoying the hockey with the Sharks and just want to pay back for the coaching trust,” said Kostin after the game. “I really hope that I can stay here and be a good part of the team I really enjoy my time here and enjoying guys, enjoy stuff.”

The stats emphasize Kostin’s improved play. According to Natural Stat Trick, in the 33 games he played with the Red Wings, he delivered 51 hits. In just 19 games with the Sharks, he delivered 48 hits. In Detroit, he took 12 penalties and drew 10. With the Sharks, he took six penalties and drew seven.

Kostin’s limited time with the Sharks was more in line with his numbers in 2022-23 with Edmonton, when he was considered an important depth piece on a Stanley Cup contending team.

Kostin’s future with the Sharks

Kostin has one more year on a contract that pays him $2 million. The 31st overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft is still young at 25 and could take a step forward next season. Though David Quinn is no longer with the Sharks, his evaluation of the player should still be considered. Quinn projected that if Kostin works hard in the offseason, he could make a huge jump in development.

“He’s a hockey player. He’s got poise with the puck. He’s not afraid to make a play. He can make a play. He can protect it,” said Quinn in April. “There’s a lot to like about him. He’s a first-round talent who’s making the most of his opportunity here.”

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