Ex-Detroit Red Wings forward prays former team re-signs him: "This is my dream"
Photo credit: NHL.com
For the Detroit Red Wings and Steve Yzerman, you don't hear much of players trying to get back in good standing with a former club; that is, until Klim Kostin, who called out the team after remaining unsigned near the end of free agency.
Former Detroit Red Wing forward Klim Kostin has had a change of tune after his recent interview.
In the piece, Kostin would take some shots at the team after being placed in a role he neither wanted nor hoped for.
Instead of being a goal-scoring forward, he was placed in a bottom-six role as an enforcer. He'd fight twice for the Red Wings, and his short stint would end with him being traded to the Sharks.
The Russian forward wouldn't find any favor in San Jose, as Mike Grier wouldn't offer him a new deal.
Now with training camp upon us, Kostin is hoping to be in the Edmonton Oilers' good graces, as he hopes his former team will re-sign him.
"I was counting on a different role, I signed the contract hoping to play, but after I arrived they made it clear: your job is to fight," he explained. "It was a shock for me. They left no room for maneuver."
Klim Kostin's Time with the Oilers was the Best of His Career
It's no mystery why the Russian forward would want to return to the Oilers. He spent the majority of the 2023-24 season and played 57 games in Edmonton and scored 21 points (11-10).
He'd later arrive in Detroit, where he'd suit up for the 2023-24 season with limited usage, playing 33 games and being utilized as an enforcer, scoring only 4 points (3-1) in 33 games.
It remains his dream to suit up for the Oilers again:
"In Edmonton, I wanted to die on the ice for the fans," he said. "There are rumors that the Oilers might make an offer too. Of course, this is my dream. They say you can't step into the same river twice, but I would like to try my luck again. This is the place where I felt most comfortable and was myself."
The only person who has a say now would be General Manager Stan Bowman.
However, with the Edmonton Oilers' limited cap space at $225K the option to sign him may not be there.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 7 | 241 ANSWERS Ex-Detroit Red Wings forward prays former team re-signs him: "This is my dream" Should the Edmonton Oilers re-sign forward Klim Kostin after his unprofessional comments in the media? | ||
| Yes | 103 | 42.7 % |
| No | 138 | 57.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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