2017 NHL Draft Player Profile: Klim Kostin

*These are not players we think the Flames will draft, but players that could be available when the Flames come to the podium with the 16th pick*

Klim Kostin is an interesting prospect from the standpoint that he’s big. A lot of the players that could land in the Flames lap at #16 are smaller, but Kostin doesn’t fit that profile at all. He stands 6’3” and is a shade under 200 lbs. The downside to him is he is a complete wildcard. Kostin barely skated last year as he suffered an injury and was done for most of the season. His stat lines are hit or miss, but when he’s on, he’s on. In 2015-16 with HK MVD Balashikha (MHL) he played in 30 games and collected 21 points (8G 13A) and a robust 76 PIM. His physical play looked to be continuing this past season as well, as he collected 76 PIM in 36 games between 5 different teams.

The knock on Kostin is inconsistency, but if he’s sitting there at #16, a large and physical forward that can put the puck in the net could be too much for the Flames to pass up. Taking Klim Kostin could very well be a gamble, but the player is attractive enough to make the gamble well worthwhile.

Stats from Elite Prospects

by Mark Parkinson