San Jose Sharks forward Klim Kostin was given a supreme opportunity following the NHL trade deadline, but he hasn’t capitalized.
The big winger started on the wing with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith but was eventually swapped for Collin Graf.
Nikolai Kovalenko and Klim Kostin skated as extras during Friday’s practice, but only Kovalenko will be scratched against the Washington Capitals.
“I would say for both of them, it is the consistency and what their identity is [on the ice],” Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky said.
Kostin stays in the lineup but will play on the fourth line with Barclay Goodrow and newcomer Zack Ostapchuck.
“We need to get it going here. Somehow, find some chemistry with our lines. And if someone doesn’t do it, they’re getting someone else’s opportunity,” Warsofsky said following the loss to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday. “We have internal competition just as well as we do against the Nashville Predators. We need to compete against each other for spots and ice time and earn what you get.”
During his pregame media availability, Warsofsky emphasized that Saturday’s game is big for Kostin.
“It’s a very big game for him,” Warsofsky said. “I’ve said it a lot this year. When you don’t have your A game, what does your B & C game look like? How are you impacting the game in different ways? Are you really disruptive on the forecheck? Are you being physical? Are you good defensively? Are you blocking shots? You can’t just have one game. You have to have a couple different areas of your game that you can impact and help our hockey team.”
Kostin has one goal and six assists in 33 games this season.
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