George Harris
Mar 09, 2024 - 04:05

Kostin Was Never Fit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings trade forward Klim Kostin to San Jose Sharks for draft pick and defenseman after disappointing season.

The Detroit Red Wings took a chance when they acquired forward Klim Kostin from the Edmonton Oilers at last year's NHL entry draft. Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 232 pounds, Kostin had scored 11 goals for the Oilers the previous season, making him an appealing prospect for the Red Wings.

However, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman ultimately decided that Kostin was not the right fit for the team. As a result, Kostin was traded to the San Jose Sharks for a seventh-round draft pick and minor-league defenseman Radim Simek at Friday's NHL trade deadline. Yzerman explained that it didn't make sense to have a $2 million player like Kostin sitting out of the lineup next year.

Despite signing Kostin to a two-year, $4 million contract last summer, he struggled to make an impact on the team. Playing mostly on the fourth line and being a healthy scratch for eight of his last nine games with the Red Wings, Kostin only managed to score three goals in 33 games.

Yzerman expressed mixed emotions about trading Kostin, acknowledging his physical presence and abilities but recognizing that it wasn't working out for him in Detroit. With Kostin's departure and captain Dylan Larkin's injury, the Red Wings are now left with only 11 forwards. However, the team is making changes by recalling forward Jonatan Berggren from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

Berggren, who has recorded 2 goals and 3 assists in nine games with Detroit earlier this season, will be joining the team for their upcoming game against the Vegas Golden Knights. His performance so far has already surpassed Kostin's totals, showing promise for the Red Wings moving forward.

As Berggren approaches the 80-game mark in his NHL career, he may be subject to waivers if he plays four more games and then returns to the Griffins. Despite the challenges and changes faced by the Red Wings, the team remains focused on making the best decisions for both the players and the organization as a whole.