Oilers GM Ken Holland reveals real reason why the team did not sign Klim Kostin
In a new interview with Jason Gregor, Ken Holland revealed that negotiations with overseas hockey leagues was the real reason why the Oilers didn't re-sign Klim Kostin.
Ken Holland spoke in an extremely detailed interview with Jason Gregor, chronicling each roster move that has brought the Oilers to the Stanley Cup Final. Former Oiler fan favourite Klim Kostin came up, and Ken Holland said the team would've taken him back, if not for the KHL meddling in negotiations.
»We tried to re-sign Kostin, but at the end of the day, we were really negotiating against the KHL. We ended up trading him to Detroit, and we traded Kailer Yamamoto with him, because again, we were trying to create cap space. Kostin loved it here, he loved his role, loved the team, and wanted to be here. But we couldn't match what the KHL offered.»
- Ken Holland
- Ken Holland
The Oilers acquired Klim Kostin in a midseason deal and through 57 regular season games and 12 playoff games, he was a perfect fit for the bottom six. Kostin embraced Edmonton in a deeply personal way off the ice, and on the ice he was a fierce physical competitor with the ability to score too.
Kostin never ended up leaving the NHL to play overseas, and now that option feels more unlikely with turmoil in the area, and Kostin solidifying an NHL career now with the San Jose Sharks. At times this season Kostin spoke fondly about his time with Edmonton and a willingness to return to the team again, and he even came to watch the team in the first round against Los Angeles.
Kostin is still under contract with the San Jose Sharks for the upcoming season at just $2M in salary, and is a Restricted Free Agent upon its expiry. If the San Jose Sharks fall out of playoff contention again and are looking to move assets, potentially there's a return to Edmonton next season on the docket. If not, it seems that both the Oilers and Kostin would love a reunion at some point.
| POLL | ||
Do you think the Oilers will bring back Klim Kostin at some point? | ||
| Yes, both parties want to make it happen | 189 | 58.5 % |
| No, just not a fit anymore | 111 | 34.4 % |
| See Results | 23 | 7.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
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