Former Detroit Red Wings' Klim Kostin exposes how the coaching staff forced him to fight
Photo credit: NHL.com
The last two teams Russian forward Klim Kostin played for last season were the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks, yet he doesn't speak so poorly of them compared to the Detroit Red Wings, who sought to turn him into a goon..
Former Detroit Red Wing forward Klim Kostin is heading into the beginning of the 2025-26 NHL season without a deal.
For Kostin, he'd spend the year playing for the San Jose Sharks. He'd make 35 appearances and score 7 points (1-6).
Not good enough for the rebuild, which Mike Grier has ongoing in San Jose, he believes that his reputation as a player has suffered in the league, thanks to the Red Wings.
He'd be acquired in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers in 2023-24. Instead of playing as a bottom-six forward, he was given the implicit instructions to act as an enforcer on the ice.
Klim Kostin Expresses Disbelief with His Role In The Red Wings
Kostin would continue his interview with Sport-Express, a Russian sports website. He'd express disbelief with his role in Hockeytown, but instead of playing hockey, he took a backseat to the team's whims.
«I was counting on a different role,» Kostin explained in an interview with writer Alexey Shevchenko of the Russian website Sport-Express. «I signed the contract hoping to play, but after my arrival, they made it clear: your task is to fight.
«It was a shock for me. They left no room for maneuver.»
«It was a shock for me. They left no room for maneuver.»
Kostin accuses General Manager Steve Yzerman of deception, as the original discussion for the forward included different plans for him.
«When I was talking to (Detroit GM) Steve Yzerman, they explained to me a completely different role,» Kostin said. «I thought there would be room to play, a chance to prove myself. But in the end, they immediately made it clear: a fight was needed.
Kostin would only fight twice that season for the Red Wings, dropping the gloves with the Columbus Blue Jackets' Erik Gudbranson and the Philadelphia Flyers' heavyweight, Nic Deslauriers.
He'd post three points (3 G) before being traded to the San Jose Sharks that season.
Quite a startling revelation for fans of Hockeytown who wondered what happened to Kostin after his short stint here.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 5 | 388 ANSWERS Former Detroit Red Wings' Klim Kostin exposes how the coaching staff forced him to fight Do you think forward Klim Kostin got a fair shake here with the Detroit Red Wings? | ||
| Yes | 140 | 36.1 % |
| No | 248 | 63.9 % |
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