Kostin Was Never a Fit With Red Wings

When they were moving to acquire forward Klim Kostin from the Edmonton Oilers at last year’s NHL entry draft, it seemed like a worthwhile roll of the dice by the Detroit Red Wings. The 6-foot-4, 232-pound Kostin was a big body who scored 11 goals for the Oilers last season.

Ultimately, though, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman came to the opinion that there was no accounting for what Klim was Kostin his club. That’s what Yzerman’s only move at Friday’s NHL trade deadline was shipping Kostin to the San Jose Sharks for a seventh-round draft pick and minor-league defenseman Radim Simek.

UPDATE: The Red Wings assigned defenseman Radim Šimek to the Griffins. Šimek and a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft were acquired today by the Red Wings in a trade with San Jose that sent left wing Klim Kostin to the Sharks #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/yJ3pa2fNo0

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) March 8, 2024

“We couldn’t afford to have a $2 million forward not in the lineup next year,” Yzerman said. “If in the role he was used in, it doesn’t make sense to have a $2 million player (sitting out).”

Playing mostly this season on the fourth line when he played at all, Kostin was a healthy scratch for eight of his last nine games with the Red Wings.

After Detroit made the acquistion of Kostin last summer, they would sign him to a two-year, $4 million pact. While he did supply somewhat of a physical presence, including a memorable early-season fight in Columbus with Erik Gudbranson, Kostin would score just three goals in 33 games.

“I have mixed emotions about trading him,” Yzerman admitted. “We brought him in last year, big guy, physical, but has some ability, too. It didn’t work here for whatever reason.

“He’s a young player that wants to play and just wasn’t getting that. It’s best for the player, it’s best for us.  We were able to move him, give him an opportunity.”

Red Wings Recalling Berggren

Kostin’s departure, coupled with captain Dylan Larkin’s injury, leaves Detroit with only 11 forwards. That dynamic is changing, though. Forward Jonatan Berggren is getting a recall from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

Jonatan Berggren is joining the Red Wings in Vegas and will play on Saturday, Steve Yzerman told @iamtrevort on Bally Sports Detroit.

— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) March 9, 2024

He’ll be suiting up for Saturday’s game in Las Vegas against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights. From nine games earlier this season with Detroit, Berggren is showing 2-3-5 totals. That’s more than Kostin (3-1-4) was able to accumulate in his 33 games.

Should Berggren play four more NHL games and get to 80 for his career, he be required to clear NHL waivers in order to return to the Griffins.