St. Louis Blues Top Five Age 25-and-Under Players

5. Klim Kostin

Blues fans continue to be frustrated by Klim Kostin. The question is more whether they fall into the camp that is frustrated at the team or the camp that is frustrated by the player.

Kostin has been billed as a future top-six type of forward with the talent to be a solid scorer in the NHL. The problem is we have not been able to see that so far.

Kostin is still young, clocking in at 21 right now and close to 22 by the time whatever amounts to the 2021 season begins. We are reaching a point where the excuses are wearing thin.

He’s been in North America long enough that we cannot fall back on the cultural issue any longer. There is a big difference between Russia and North America, but Kostin should be quite acclimated by now.

Eventually, the Blues need to see what he’s got. As of right now, Kostin has four games and one goal to his name in the NHL.

The worry is that, for all the hype, he has not lit the AHL on fire. In three seasons, his goal totals have increased every year, but only from six to 10 to 13.

However, while on loan to Avangard Omsk in his native Russia, he has no goals in 14 games. You would hope that a true NHL talent would be showing those guys how it’s done.

Nevertheless, the hope that Kostin clicks is still there. Hopefully 2021 will be a time he can showcase what he’s got a little more and finally build upon that in the show.