Klim Kostin

Klim Sergeyevich Kostin (; born 5 May 1999) is a Russian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He most recently played for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Considered a top prospect for the 2017 NHL entry draft, Kostin was selected 31st overall by the St. Louis Blues, and made his NHL debut with them in 2019. Kostin previously played for Dynamo Moscow and Avangard Omsk of the KHL. Internationally, Kostin has played for the Russian national junior team at several tournaments.

Playing career Kostin debuted for HC MVD in the Junior Hockey League (MHL) during the 2015–16 season. In 30 games for the team he scored 8 goals and 13 assists.

Kostin was selected first overall in the 2016 CHL Import Draft by the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League (WHL), a major junior league in Canada, but he decided to stay in Russia with Dynamo Moscow for the 2016–17 season. He was reluctant to play on a junior team in North America, instead preferring to play for a senior team, either in the NHL or American Hockey League (AHL), the top minor league affiliate for the NHL.

Kostin only played 18 games in the 2016–17 season, split between Dynamo Moscow and their junior league affiliate Dynamo Balashikha, scoring one goal before he had to end his season due to shoulder surgery in January. Kostin was also described as a power forward, one who was both able to score and help others score. Kostin has said that he would prefer to play in the NHL for the 2017–18 season, though would not oppose going to the American Hockey League (AHL), the top minor league affiliate for the NHL; however he had no interest in playing in the WHL, or any junior league.

Approaching the 2022–23 season, his sixth year within the Blues organization, Kostin was unable to clinch a role on the opening night roster and was placed on waivers before he was re-assigned to AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. On 9 October 2022, Kostin was traded by the Blues to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for fellow Russian, Dmitri Samorukov. He was immediately re-assigned by the Oilers to continue in the AHL with affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors. On 9 November, Kostin was called up to the Oilers after left winger Evander Kane was injured.

On 29 June 2023, Kostin, as a pending restricted free agent, was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, along with Kailer Yamamoto, in exchange for future considerations. While initially not tendered to a qualifying offer by the Red Wings, Kostin was signed to a two-year, $4 million contract with the Red Wings on the opening day of free agency on 1 July.

On 8 March 2024, Kostin was traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Radim Šimek and a 2024 seventh-round pick.

He achieved a Gordie Howe hat trick in an 8–5 win over the Seattle Kraken on 29 November 2024. He scored a goal in the first period, assisted on one by Mikael Granlund in the second, and fought Will Borgen in the third.

On 3 November 2025, Kostin returned to play for Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League, signing a contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.

International play

Kostin made his international debut at the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championships, serving as captain of the Russian U-18 team. He recorded four assists in five games as the team finished sixth.