Nation Sites
The Nation Network
OilersNation has no direct affiliation to the Edmonton Oilers, Oilers Entertainment Group, NHL, or NHLPA
Former Oiler Klim Kostin interested in return to Edmonton: ‘This is the place where I felt most comfortable’
Photo credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2025, 18:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 7, 2025, 18:13 EDT
Is there a path for Klim Kostin to find his way back to the Edmonton Oilers?
The 26-year-old Russian skater became an unrestricted free agent this summer after he was not extended a qualifying offer from the San Jose Sharks. Last season, he had a goal and six assists in 35 games played in California.
Kostin spoke with a Russian sports outlet this week about the upcoming season and his desire to continue to play in the NHL, specifically, back in Edmonton. All quotes are translated via Google Translate.
“There are offers,” Kostin shared. “They talked about Los Angeles, where former Edmonton general manager Ken Holland works now. There are rumours 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.”
Kostin left Edmonton after the 2022-23 season, signing a two-year agreement with the Detroit Red Wings. While he had wanted to stay at the time, adding that captain Connor McDavid had asked him to, the difference in Detroit and Edmonton’s offers was too great, with the Oilers offering less money and a shorter term. Now back on the market, it’s possible he’s holding out to see if Edmonton may be interested, though the Oilers don’t have a ton of cap room to play with at the moment.
Nevertheless, Kostin reflected fondly on his year in Edmonton, when he put up career-best numbers of 11 goals and 21 points in 57 games played, adding three goals and five points in 12 playoff appearances.
“In Edmonton, the fans understand hockey. They see all the little things,” he said. “Even if you didn’t score or make a mistake, but you gave it your all, they appreciate it. They were the ones who pushed you forward. I wanted to go out and die on the ice for these people, for their emotions.”
He added that the only other place he felt that kind of passion was in a championship-winning season with the KHL’s Avangard, not elsewhere in North America. While he hasn’t had the strongest numbers over the past few seasons, he brings considerable size at 6-foot-4, 232 lb., which can especially come as an advantage in the playoffs. Kostin said he would obviously love to help bring a championship to Edmonton, but that’s not where his focus is right now.
“Of course, it would be great to help Connor, Leon and the whole team win the Cup,” he said. “They deserve it. And, of course, bringing it to Penza would be interesting. But the most important thing for me now is not even the trophies. The most important thing is to get a chance to prove myself in the NHL in attack, to prove that I am not only a tough guy, but also a full-fledged forward.”
The most prominent player from Penza, Russia, to ever grace the NHL, he may be their best shot to see a local kid win the Cup, but as he notes, it’s a far-off goal. Right now, Kostin’s got his eyes set on getting a deal in ink for the upcoming season, and proving his value in remaining in North America.
Breaking News
- Sunday Scramble: Oilers process continues to build 5-on-5 offence, the Tristan Jarry rumours and more
- The Oilers’ depth has stepped up recently
- Why the Oilers might have a hidden gem in Connor Clattenburg
- Matt Savoie scores again, depth goals, and Oilers’ third jerseys might be blessed by the Hockey Gods
- The Day After 29.0: Have the Oilers put their early season woes behind them?