San Jose Sharks
Kostin, Desharnais Talk ‘Older Brother’ Friendship
Klim Kostin was taking a nap before he heard the news.
“When I woke up, I [saw] a message from [Vincent Desharnais],” Kostin recalled. “He just sent me [a] heart. I was like, ‘What’s up, dude?’ And then he was like, ‘Check Instagram.’ I saw that the trade happened.”
The San Jose Sharks acquired Vincent Desharnais from the Pittsburgh Penguins for a 2028 fifth-round pick ahead of the Mar. 7 Trade Deadline. Desharnais is a 6-f0ot-7 defenseman who defends hard and looks out for his teammates.
Desharnais, 28, looked out for Kostin, three years his junior, when both were part of the Edmonton Oilers and Bakersfield Condors in 2022-23.
“[He offered] to go get groceries with me. Helped me find a spot to live. If I needed a ride from the airport back home, he [was] always there for me,” the Russian native recalled.
Kostin was a first-round pick with the St. Louis Blues in 2017, but credited Desharnais as “probably the first guy that actually was [an] older brother for me.” Kostin said when he was younger, he hung out with younger players.
“You learn to help each other out,” Desharnais said. “When I met him, he didn’t know a lot of guys. So, we started going to dinner together and started getting closer.”
Kostin called Desharnais a leader that “always takes care of young guys.”
Desharnais described 6-foot-4 Kostin as a “teddy bear,” who you need to get to know better to understand.
“He’s very generous,” Desharnais said. “Every time we go to lunch, or grab a bite to eat, he always wants to pay for it. I’m like, ‘Dude, we can share’ He wants to treat the people that he likes.”
Desharnais added: “He’s a clown. He likes to have a good time and likes to joke around. He’s got a hard shell, so you’ve got to crack that shell. Once you crack that shell, then he’s gonna open up.”
No doubt, if Desharnais needs anything with the San Jose Sharks, Kostin has got him: “Just want to pay him back. If he needs anything here, I’m ready to help.”
Hopefully, having a familiar face around can lead to both having success the rest of this season.
Desharnais has another season left on his contract, a two-year, $4 million deal signed last summer, but Kostin will become a restricted free agent this summer.
Kostin has just one goal and eight points in 31 games this season, but he’s got the talent for more, a lot more.
“He’s a great kid. He cares so much, wants to win. I think he’s got extreme potential to be one of the better players in this league, as far as a power forward,” San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky said. “You’re looking at a guy that’s big, he’s got skill, he can skate, he’s physical, he takes time and space away from people, he creates space for his linemates.”
Hopefully, the reunion with one of his good friends can propel him to a strong finish.
“That’s why we love this sport, that’s why we love hockey. It’s all about those little things. To be like a family, I think it’s really important,” Kostin said.
Nice story, Josh. Thanks!
Hope Kostin isn’t laying down any roots in SJ as I don’t think he is part of the 25-26 Sharks. He’s been given multiple shots with the kids and failed to take advantage of the opportunity. Same with Kovolenko. Both are not long for the Sharks. I think neither is resigned.
I like Vinny D. Glad he’s here. Klim? not so much
I wonder if either/Both finish strong, they get another year. Sign for a bottom 6 prove it role. Only because of the Injuries. Especially Klim, couple times looked like he was returning to last years end of season form and gets hurt and out extended time. same goes for Kovalenko he basically been out since Jan 11th. I give one more year, let Ty, Klim, Giles, Osta, Kovy, Grundy, group fight it out with Kids coming up…do any of them matter if they do not clear waivers? They could all help cuda! And better they sit in press box over… Read more »
I think Grier might let all of his RFAs walk this summer, minus Mukhamadullin. I could see them tendering offers to Bordeleau and Gushchin, but I don’t see either as part of the NHL roster next year and I’d assume they’re both flight risks for the European leagues at this point. Particularly Gushchin. I’d guess Kovalenko heads back, too. He doesn’t sound enamored with his NHL experience thus far, and he had a lot of success in the KHL.
I think Thompson also gets qualified.
For sure. Seems everyone’s forgetting you can waive guys and send them down. Thompson isn’t in line for much of a raise and I bet his whole salary will be off the cap if sent down thru waivers.
Probably, But like SJShorky, I would not bet on him being in the line up come opening day!
“You don’t like it? Go to Russia!”
In all seriousness, I just want him to be happy, but let’s be honest, the competition is pretty high for forward spots over the next couple years and Kovalenko is pretty far back in the pack at this point.
I could see him coming back for a year and maybe Kostin, too. But if the prospects progress like we hope and pass them up, both could get waived by December and if that happens, it will be because it was best for the team
There’s no way they’re letting Thompson and Kostin walk and bringing back the lollipop guild.
I forgot about Thompson. Kostin and Bordeleau/Guschin are totally different situations. They’re high end AHL players that don’t count against the veteran’s maximum at that level. Kostin is an NHLer. If they bring back Bordeleau and Gushchin, it’ll be primarily to lead the way offensively for a Barracuda team that will skew very young and inexperienced next year.
Hmm… maybe? Typically when a prospect doesn’t pan out like those 2 they move on so the team can fill the minor team with other prospects. Maybe though, I get your point.
Grier has certainly not been precious about RFA rights (RIP Jonathan Dahlén) but I do think it’s telling that he referred to Bordeleau and Gushchin as being young (not this most recent press avail but the one before that). While it may feel like the clock is ticking on them and their RFA status ends with this last contract offer, just like Kostin & Kovalenko, they’re both 23, while K&K are 25. Gushchin I’d say is definitely a flight risk but in that case you still make the offer, and if they choose not to sign then you hold their… Read more »
Kostin fits the narrative, Kovalenko, not so much.
I’m not so sure. Grier is emphasizing size and physicality. I know Kostin has been frustrating in that he’s never put up numbers consistent with his tools. But, if he’s cheap, I can see them bringing him back. And, with Kovalenko, Grier was very high on him when they acquired him and he’s missed time with injury. Again, on the cheap, I think he gets a shot. But, ultimately, it’s a good thing if one or both of these guys loses his job to one of the Sharks prospects next year.
Kovalenko got off to a good start but things have gone screwy. And the vibes are not so good with the podcast comments. Maybe it was a joke/mistranslation, but still just not a great look. I think Kostin is probably back. They’re not going to be a deep squad and there is little harm in giving him another year for something to click. Upside still exists. I suspect he just doesn’t have enough finishing skill to ever really tap into it on the scoresheet, but who knows. I think he does care and want to get better, which is half… Read more »
Agreed 100%. I think a deeper team puts him on the 3rd or 4th line where he can excel too. Unless he finds great confidence to play top 6 gotta keep him out of there.
I don’t think Kostins best place in the lineup is with the kids in the top 6. That being said he was very effective for about a month prior to his injury. The organization so far has valued Kostin far more than even I anticipated by sending other players to the AHL when I figured they would send him. So I’m kinda at a loss for whether they will qualify him or not. If I had to guess I would say he needs some points or strong play at the end to get qualified. But in the end I’m betting… Read more »
Idk, based on Grier’s deadline do we really feel Kostin has done enough to warrant another shot? IMO, it looks to me like Grier is clearing the ledger, so to speak. As you’ve mentioned many times, no veteran should be safe on a last place team.
The fact that Grier was willing to move on from all of his UFAs and an RFA like Zetterlund is pretty telling. He wants a different look.
I get a similar sense.
GMMG is more likely to make one move too many than one move too few. The trade deadline is an example, but that’s been true of his whole tenure.
In the end, though, its hard to see how Kovalenko or Kostin impact the team in 2028.
GMMG has brought in a lot of 25-ish heavy churn sorts Kostin, Kovalenko among them, but also Grundstrom, Walker Duehr and Patrick Giles. I expect to see more players of this type rotating into, and usually out of, San Jose.
There is a very major difference between the others and Kostin. Which is that he got something in return for them.
Not really, we’re talking about fourth round draft picks for Kunin and Sturm. It’s not nothing, but it’s close.
Yeah, GMs don’t see it that way. Once again, Grier did not make those trades to thank the guys.
I don’t think he moved on from Zetts lightly. Kostin has the one thing Zetts doesn’t… a huge body. But yeah as I said above, I’m not very confident either way on Kostins future. I think Grier is going to remake this roster but I’m not sure where all the changes will come from.
Not sure exactly how many people GMMG has brought in and then sent out in his tenure. But its more than an entire roster’s worth.
So unless you’re untouchable (think that entire list is Macklin, Smith and Askarov), maybe not the place to establish roots.
This is very true. Grier has no emotional attachment to any player.
Sorta why thought some of these guys that been hurt might get another look. At some point to build that has to change, that much volatility is not good for upward trajectory. Great for asset gathering and such!
Neither here nor there, but Dickinson’s goal last night shows off a skill that just isn’t present on this team
https://youtu.be/G8-wuvhEskg?si=bYmzW33gW7EtWn-n&t=80
Nice shot… Haltunnen’s second goal was a sick shot too. I knew he can rip slap shots but looks like he has a wicked wrister too.
Really nice goal.
The goal against (2:50 mark) is an example of why he’s not NHL ready. He puts himself into no man’s land. Glides to a spot where he won’t block the shot, can’t get the stick on it and is defending no one.
Not sure what the coach wants in that spot, but its not that. Either defend the shot aggressively or stick with the man at the net front. Though, to be fair, the team defense left a lot to be desired, as well.
It’s the perfect example of something that could be corrected if he were with the Sharks org instead of wasting his time in London. The team is 52-9 and they win 8-2 a lot. He just needs a greater challenge. He’s gonna get it to start the season next year and if he’s at all capable of making the leap, I think the team will let him try Levshunov will be playing his 2nd NHL game tonight at the tank and he’s almost 8 months older than Sam. Give Sam 6 months of offseason workouts and hopefully drills that address… Read more »
Agreed about London. Offensively, he’s dominant. Defensively, he’s not challenged, and when the team is 52-9, you’re obviously not being challenged. As for his offense helping today, I don’t think it would. At least not in the NHL. Its still a man’s game. The move he makes prior to the snipe, impressive as it is, is also a lot tougher to pull off at the NHL level. But he’s a lot closer on the offensive side. I don’t know how embedded this sort of defense is in his game, but I doubt its 6 months from a turnaround. I hope… Read more »
Of course his offense would help the team today. He carries the puck better than anyone the Sharks currently have on their roster outside of Macklin. I don’t think he’d dangle around NHL forwards in the offensive zone, but he’d be the best puck mover on the back end immediately and it wouldn’t be close.
It would least be exciting to see them develop him at the NHL level like they did Smith.
Super harsh assessment of what happens on that goal. You’ve got a four man box with one forward high. As the pass goes from right to left from 17 in black, the high forward has over committed to the middle. He is never going to be able to front the shot coming from that right side, which basically leaves Dickinson with a choice — cover his man at the side of the net, or try to front the shot himself. He tries to front the shot, and he’s late getting there because it’s not his man. His man is floating… Read more »
Slightly off subject, but is Bystedt injured? I have tried to find info but just see that he has not played in a while.
yep week to week