Detroit Red Wings
Ex- Oiler Heading Back to KHL, Ending Hopes of NHL Return
Former Edmonton Oiler Klim Kostin signs with KHL’s Avangard Omsk, ending any chance of an NHL return this season.
Klim Kostin’s potential return to the Edmonton Oilers is officially off the table. The 26-year-old forward has signed with Avangard Omsk of the KHL for the remainder of the 2025–26 season, returning to the club where he captured a Gagarin Cup five years ago.
2021 Gagarin Cup champion Klim Kostin is back to Omsk! pic.twitter.com/eqbyAZKFF4
— KHL (@khl_eng) November 3, 2025
Originally drafted 31st overall by the St. Louis Blues, Kostin spent part of the 2020–21 season on loan with Omsk, posting 18 points in 43 games and adding nine points in the playoffs during the championship run. He returned to North America the following season but struggled to establish himself with the Blues before being traded to Edmonton.
In Edmonton, Kostin enjoyed his best NHL season in 2022–23, scoring 11 goals and 21 points in 57 games while bringing energy, grit, and depth scoring. Despite this, the Oilers’ salary-cap constraints led to him being traded to the Detroit Red Wings and later the San Jose Sharks, where he never recaptured that form.
Kostin Wanted to Return to the Oilers
Though Kostin was vocal about his desire to rejoin the Oilers — telling reporters, “In Edmonton, I wanted to die on the ice for the fans” — the team opted not to offer a tryout. With no NHL offer forthcoming, Kostin has chosen to return to the KHL, leaving the door to an Edmonton comeback firmly closed and continuing his professional career overseas.
Edmonton could have used his physical energy on their fourth line, but the team already has tough roster decisions to make this season, and not everyone is going to be sticking around. Kostin would have been destined for the AHL had he been signed by Edmonton.
Next: Oilers Trying to Find “Soft Landing” Trade For Popular Defenseman
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