Detroit Red Wings: Klim Kostin to provide depth in bottom-six

The Detroit Red Wings got busy working the phones during the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. While it’s not unusual, the trade that went down did not exactly matter with relevance to the draft. Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman and newly appointed Assistant GM Kris Draper were able to work something out with Edmonton.

The Detroit Red Wings acquired forwards Klim Kostin and Kailer Yamamoto from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for future considerations amid the draft frenzy. Soon after acquiring the two forwards, it was noted that Yamamoto was placed on waivers.

The Red Wings opted to rock with Kostin and bring him into the organization. He’s a “four-year” veteran of the NHL, and the Red Wings will plug him into their much-improved forward core. The last two seasons have really seen Kostin get acclimated to the league, and he’s looking to stick in Detroit as a role player.

He’s not some top-tier scoring threat but will offer some depth and experience in the bottom six; also being a hard-nosed forward who can get things done in the dirty areas, bringing an element of physicality to the Red Wings’ forward core.

Detroit Red Wings forward Klim Kostin brings depth.

Last season with Edmonton, Kostin was in the middle of some drama during one of the clashes with the Red Wings. He’s not afraid to stick up for his players, and he surely was ready to square off with some of the Red Wings players who are now his teammates.

I’m sure these guys will let bygones be bygones, but for the Red Wings’ sake, it will be nice to have a physical-type forward to have in the bottom six and in the forward core overall. Kostin comes to Detroit fresh off of a 57-game campaign where he scored 11 goals, added ten assists, and totaled 21 points in what was really his second extended stay in the NHL over the four seasons he’s registered games in.

He costs the Red Wings $2 million for each of the next two seasons after signing an extension with the team on July 1st, after being acquired. The Red Wings seemingly view him as someone they can squeeze some value from moving forward.

Kostin, the 24-year-old Russian forward, is looking to be a solid depth addition for the Red Wings and really settle in, as the team needs him in 2023-24. He’s not going to be the most exciting addition or even play the largest role, but he will be valuable in his role, respectively.

Hopefully, the Red Wings can find the right ways to use him, bringing him in and utilizing him in a beneficial way as they start to map out their forward core for the upcoming season.