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St. Louis Blues select Klim Kostin with 31st overall pick in 2017 NHL Draft

By Patrick Karraker

June 23, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Klim Kostin poses for photos after being selected as the number thirty-one overall pick to the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
June 23, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Klim Kostin poses for photos after being selected as the number thirty-one overall pick to the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Blues capped off the first round by getting a player who many believe to be the best steal in the draft.

After trading their second selection (No. 27 overall) in the first round of Friday night’s NHL Draft as part of a deal for center Brayden Schenn, then getting back into the first round after dealing Ryan Reaves to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the St. Louis Blues capped off the draft’s opening round by selecting Russian center Klim Kostin.

Kostin, a 6-foot-2, 207-pound center/left wing, played for Dynamo Moscow of the KHL this past season, but he missed a large chunk of the year due to shoulder surgery. Despite his injury, he was ranked as the No. 1 European skater in this year’s draft class by NHL Central Scouting.

Next: Blues take Robert Thomas with 20th pick in NHL Draft

As with all Russian players who play in the KHL, there will be questions about when or if Kostin will ever come to North America. We even saw those concerns play out to an extent with Vladimir Tarasenko. But his upside as a skater and playmaker is high enough that the Blues were willing to take the gamble.

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