December 12, 2022 by Eric Friesen

When Edmonton Oilers General Manager Ken Holland traded Dmitri Samorukov to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Klim Kostin on October 9, it was generally viewed as a prospect-for-prospect swap that could pay off down the road.

Samorukov was unlikely to ever become a full-time defender for the Oilers with Darnell Nurse, Brett Kulak and Philip Broberg ahead of him on the left side. The Oilers were also looking for some added forward depth, and were willing to take a shot on Kostin, who put up five goals and 11 points in 46 NHL games with the Blues over three seasons.

Kostin was assigned to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors following the trade, but he was recalled on November 8 when Evander Kane suffered a lacerated left wrist. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound forward has provided some much-needed grit and toughness to an Oilers team that is severely lacking in the physicality department. He’s also started to show the scoring touch that made him a first-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft.

Kostin has four points in his last five games, including his first Gordie Howe hat trick in a decisive 8-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday. The 23-year-old scored his first goal as an Oiler in the final seconds of a 5-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild on December 9, but scoring in front of Oilers fans at Rogers Place was a moment he will cherish.

“I was waiting for this moment for a long time, so it’s an insane feeling,” said Kostin following the Oilers win on Wednesday. “I can’t even explain with my words to score in front of our fans. It’s just an amazing feeling.”

Related: Oilers Acquire Kostin for Samorukov

Injuries to Kane, Kailer Yamamoto, Ryan McLeod and Warren Foegele not only opened up an opportunity for Kostin to get a shot with the Oilers, but also play more minutes than he likely would have if the team had been healthier up front. Head Coach Jay Woodcroft believes keeping things simple has allowed him to become an important player for the Oilers as of late.

“I think [Kostin] is a big body, he’s a good forechecker,” said Woodcroft in his post-game presser on Wednesday. “When he plays to a certain formula, I think he’s very effective. I think simplicity is his formula for success. Being physical, being straight ahead, straight line. He’s been a good addition to our team, I think. So, credit to him since he’s come in.”

Kostin couldn’t have landed in a better spot. After struggling to get a foothold in the NHL with the Blues organization, Kostin appears to have found an NHL home in Edmonton.

“I feel at home here” Kostin told the media after practice on Friday. “I really like the group of guys here. Trainers, coaching staff and everyone in the locker room. Even media, I like you guys, too.”

Kostin has two goals in 12 games with the Oilers, which is a 14-goal pace over a full 82-game season. Yes, it’s a small sample size. But I don’t think it’s a stretch to expect him to reach double digits in goals, even in a bottom six role.

The Penza, Russia native owns a hard shot and can score from distance. He skates well, has decent puck skills and brings a consistent effort every night.

Related: Call Outs, Standouts, and Shout Outs: Oilers FINALLY Beat Wild 5-2

While he’s shown that he isn’t afraid to drop the gloves when challenged, I don’t think Kostin will be fighting on a regular basis. But he has no problem jumping into the fray to stick up for a teammate.

It’s wasn’t too long ago where it appeared the Oilers would need to trade for a third line forward, who could provide some support scoring and grit. Kostin has helped the team in both of those areas, while playing on a bargain one-year, $750,000 contract.

It’s been a while since the Oilers have won a trade for a big, strong forward with a scoring tough. Kostin is likely the first since Patrick Maroon in 2016. There will be lineup decisions to make when the team gets healthy, but one thing is clear, Kostin is a permanent roster player going forward.