In a recent move, the Edmonton Oilers traded Russian forward Klim Kostin to the Detroit Red Wings. An official report from the Detroit organization confirmed the deal, marking a notable off-season shuffle between the two clubs.
Alongside Kostin, American forward Kyler Yamamoto was also sent to Detroit. The two players joined the Red Wings as part of a package that involved future considerations, signaling Detroit’s shift to bolster its attacking depth while Edmonton looks to recalibrate its roster going into the next campaign.
During his final NHL season, Kostin appeared in 57 games, tallying 11 goals and 10 assists. In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, he contributed with three goals and two assists across 12 postseason appearances. These numbers reflect Kostin’s role as a versatile forward capable of contributing in multiple phases of the game, including scoring bursts and playmaking on release plays and secondary cycles.
Kostin began his career with the St. Louis Blues after being selected 31st overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by St. Louis. His development path included stints with Avangard Omsk and Dynamo Moscow, highlighting a trajectory that took him from Russia to North American pro hockey. In 2021, Avangard Omsk captured the Gagarin Cup, a milestone that underscored Kostin’s exposure to high-stakes competition and success in the Russian leagues before making his mark in the NHL.
Historical context surrounds Kostin’s journey, including prior recognition regarding the number of Russians selected in the 2023 NHL Draft, a topic that often surfaces when evaluating the depth of talent available to teams across North America. This trade adds another layer to the ongoing discussion about how Russian players integrate into American and Canadian hockey markets and how teams balance long-term potential with immediate performance on the ice.