St. Louis Blues: Klim Kostin Is Lighting The Preseason On Fire

The St. Louis Blues have gone 3-1 in the 2019 preseason so far, and Klim Kostin couldn’t be playing a bigger part in that record.

The St. Louis Blues Klim Kostin has done everything a rookie playing for a spot on the NHL team can do. He is currently second in the entire league in points this preseason with six. Trailing only Max Pacioretty‘s of the Vegas Golden Knights seven points.

Kostin, as I mentioned in a previous article, was showing some real skill in the three on two drills down low in the early days of camp. I also said I didn’t think he’d make the big club out of camp yet, because he’d be better suited getting more minutes in the AHL.

Kostin must have read that article. I’m not saying Kostin wasn’t doing early enough in camp. As I said, the kid was showing some real skill, talent, and size in those drills, and the speed was on display in some of the other drills.

What I am saying now is that Kostin has not only flashed it in camp, but he’s showcasing what we were all told by Doug Armstrong when they drafted him exactly what this kid can bring to the Blues with enough time to develop and adjust to the North American game.

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Currently, Kostin has had three goals and three assists in the four preseason tilts in 2019. The only game he was held off the scorecard was in the game against the Washington Capitals.

He was held off the scorecard in that game because he wasn’t in the lineup — kind of hard to score if you aren’t on the ice.

That has Kostin at a two point-per-game pace in 2019. Not too bad for a rookie trying to make the team I’d say.

What’s more impressive about the points is the fashion he is scoring them. Each goal has been a variety all on its own. One showed incredible skill, another displayed his strength, while the other was a sample of his best impression of a Vladimir Tarasenko shot.

The assists, two of which were primary, have shown me that Kostin has started to learn the NHL game. Unlike juniors, the NHL requires teamwork more so than any other level. In the other leagues, elite talents can still move down and juke their way through three or four guys and get a goal.

That is rare in the NHL and in order to produce you have to understand systems, teammates, opponents, and start to understand what the opponent is trying to do to you and your teammates so you can take what they are giving you. Like passing the puck to your teammate who has the better opportunity for a shot than you do.

Kostin is starting to show that he grasps this and embraces it. He’s being rewarded not only on the scoresheet but in the locker room as well. You can see the veterans and leadership on this team are excited for Kostin.

This leads up to one question. Has he done enough to take that vacant third line spot with Tyler Bozak and Robert Thomas? Perhaps the correct question is, will this translate into a full-time gig with the NHL club?

With Jordan Kyrou just getting back to skating you have to think the odds are greater in Kostin’s favor. I personally want to see the kid on that third line.

He’s got the size and skill to flourish there, I believe. He’s displaying the acumen of a player who belongs now. He has definitely made it difficult, and I’m sure Craig Berube is pressing Armstrong to allow it to happen.

The only thing I can see keeping Kostin of the club is two things. One, he doesn’t clean up the penalties. He’s had two trips, and one hold called against him so far. The offense may outweigh the penalties for now, but doubtful over an entire season.

Two, and this is the biggest one, he is on a two-way contract making it much easier to send him down than some other players. He won’t be kept here to play in and out of the line-up. If he stays he’s in the line up until his body says no, meaning a player like Robby Fabbri, not on a two-way contract will have to get sent down and that would require him to clear waivers whereas Kostin wouldn’t have to.

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I hope I’m wrong, but I think Kostin finds himself on the NHL roster for eight games and then heads back to the AHL where he’ll log 19 minutes a game and continue to develop his game.

This isn’t because he isn’t ready, or that he needs the extra time. It’s simply a matter of what is best for him and mark my words he will be back up this season, and he will stay here and make a difference in this Stanley Cup defense. It will just come later than I and I would have to bet many other Blues fans would like.

Drop the puck!

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