Red Wings trade former first-round pick to Sharks

The Detroit Red Wings have sent forward Klim Kostin to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Radim Simek and a 2024 seventh-round pick belonging to the New Jersey Devils. The Red Wings have loaned Simek to the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins.

Kostin joined the Red Wings alongside Kailer Yamamoto in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers last summer, with Detroit offering future considerations the other way. 

The Wings promptly signed Kostin to a two-year, $4M contract that carries him through the 2024-25 season. Kostin rotated into the Wings bottom line this season, scoring three goals and four points in 33 games, averaging just under nine minutes of ice time each game. 

He’s also added 38 penalty minutes, including two fights. It’s a down year for Kostin after receiving a prime chance with the Oilers last season when he scored 11 goals and 21 points in 57 games, averaging over 10 minutes of ice time. 

Still, much of his career has been spent in a depth role, with the 24-year-old totaling 19 goals and 36 points in 136 career games. At 6-foot-4 and 232 pounds, Kostin brings notable heft and physicality to the lineup and has proven he can add goal-scoring value with his shot. 

He’ll likely receive a routine role with the Sharks, who have already traded Anthony Duclair, though it’s yet to be seen if he can find his modest scoring groove once again.

Simek has spent all season in the minor leagues, recording 16 points and 29 penalty minutes in 40 games with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda. 

While he has totaled 209 career NHL games, serving as a depth fill-in for San Jose since 2018-19, it seems Simek’s impact will stay confined to the minors as he joins Grand Rapids. 

At 31, Simek has carved out a hardy career in North American pros as an undrafted free agent, joining the Sharks in 2017-18 after a five-year career in the Czechia Extraliga, where he played with Liberec Bili Tygri HC. 

He’s a hardy defenseman, known for his physicality and long reach. Both traits could come in handy should Detroit make the playoffs.