Former Oilers Fan Favourite Could Soon Be Placed on Waivers

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Liam McCormick
October 31, 2024 (5:19 PM)

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Former Oilers fan favourite Klim Kostin is having a tough season on the rebuilding San Jose Sharks, and could soon be on the move.

Kostin has been a healthy scratch theee times in the last four games, and the Sharks have just recalled another depth forward. According to Oilers writer Jim Matheson, the Sharks may be placing Klim Kostin on waivers in the next few days.

When the Oilers acquired Klim Kostin from the St. Louis Blues back in 2022, he was struggling to stay in the league just like he is now. As soon as Kostin came to the Oilers he found energy that he hasn't had anywhere else, and it made for a magical season for him. Kostin scored a career high of 11 goals and 21 points in 57 games, and added 5 more points in 12 playoff games. In Edmonton, Kostin was an awesome power forward that was punishing on the forecheck and had some scoring touch.

The Oilers had to move Kostin that summer because of his contract situation, and even today he's overpaid on his $2M contract. If he's placed on waivers, it's very likely that no team would place a claim on him. If Edmonton had interest in bringing him back, trading for him with retained salary would be a better move.

If the Oilers do believe that Kostin could find that magic again in Edmonton, perhaps they are interested in adding a younger and physical forward to their bottom-six. Kostin himself would welcome a return with open arms. In last year's playoff round against the Kings, Kostin watched in the stands of Rogers Place and later commented that Edmonton felt like home to him.

For now it just wouldn't be responsible to claim his $2M salary, but perhaps there's another avenue for Kostin to return to the Oilers. He'll be a free agent after next season too, and if he doesn't go overseas, he'd certainly be interested in signing with Edmonton.