The 2024-25 season is almost finished, with the Stanley Cup Final closing in on being completed, and a champion soon to be crowned. The Edmonton Oilers trail the Florida Panthers heading into Game 6, and while there are some former San Jose Sharks that fans can cheer for, fans are mainly focused on what the offseason will look like for their team.
One player who has yet to announce his plans for next season is Klim Kostin. He is a pending restricted free agent (RFA) and former fan favorite with the Oilers, and there are some questions about what the Sharks plan to do with him, as well as what Kostin’s plans are.
Kostin, who is 26 years old, was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft at 31st overall. He scored one goal and added six assists for seven points this season. Throughout his career, he has scored 25 goals and added 28 assists for 53 points through 190 games, which comes out to a 0.28 points-per-game average.
He is an unproven forward who looks strong as a bottom-six piece at times, but he wasn’t utilized much as a member of the Sharks after joining them from the Detroit Red Wings. There is a slight possibility the Russian youngster heads back to Russia and plays in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) next season, but if he’s open to staying in North America, here are three options the Sharks have with Kostin.
Trade His RFA Rights At The Draft
If the Sharks recognize they won’t be playing him much next season, it would make sense for them to move his RFA rights at the upcoming 2025 NHL Entry Draft. It’s fair to assume a team would be willing to pay a mid-round draft pick to have the chance to sign him, and the Sharks could benefit from doing so. It’s always better to add future capital than lose somebody for nothing, which they risk doing with Kostin.
The Oilers are the first team that comes to mind as a potential fit. The fans loved him, Kostin has spoken openly about his enjoyment during his time as an Oiler, and they could use a cost-efficient player heading into the 2025-26 season, as they risk losing several depth forwards. The Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks also make sense for Kostin, but time will tell if any teams fork over a draft selection to bring him in.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals have reportedly been looking to add forward depth recently, so they could also look into what Kostin would cost and consider bringing him in as well.
Re-Sign Him For Cheap, If He’s Open To Depth Role
A possible, but less likely option, is the Sharks re-signing Kostin for cheap, if he’s open to remaining a depth piece for them next season. He’s still a good player who could break out at any moment, but his lack of offensive confidence, combined with the lack of trust from the coaching staff, hinders the possibility of him becoming a mainstay in their top-nine forward group next season.
It will depend entirely on what Kostin is looking for in his next deal. Considering he left the Oilers to get a better contract, he may try and do the same thing with the Sharks. The problem now is that he doesn’t have as much leverage to work with. The Oilers could take a chance on him again and give him close to what he wants, but it doesn’t make sense for the Sharks to give him anything more than league minimum.
Realistically, the Sharks probably want him on a two-way deal, but that could be a deal breaker for Kostin.
Package Him To Trade Up In 2025 NHL Draft
The last option is that the Sharks could try and trade up in the draft. They have the second overall pick, and Kostin might not be enticing enough to move up to select first, but adding him with other future assets, including first-round picks, could help them move up.
If the New York Islanders see a world where Kostin could be a helpful player for them next season, they could accept the second-overall selection, the Sharks' other first-round pick, Kostin, and a second-round pick in exchange for the right to select one pick sooner.
At the end of the day, the Sharks and Kostin will have to decide where they go from here. He is a solid player who has plenty left in the tank, and while he ultimately has the choice of where he plays next season, the Sharks should look to one of these three options. I would personally give him another short-term deal and let him work his way up as he proves himself, but that doesn't seem likely right now.
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