Draft picks are incredibly hard to predict, with sometimes even the surest of sure things turning up bust, but this pick for the Montreal Canadiens was a risky one at the time. Back in 2021, the team selected Russian blue liner Dmitri Kostenko in the third-round, and while his development was seemingly going well, all that has changed.
Kostenko played for Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk in the VHL in Russia this past season, and while he succeeded individually with 20 points in 22 games, off the ice, the organization weren't happy with him. In a recent interview, GM Sergei Gusev had this to say about the 21-year old prospect;
The scathing criticism didn't stop there, as Gusev went all in on Kostenko's work ethic and ability off the ice as well.
At this point in his development, things couldn't be looking worse for Kostenko, but if he can turn things around and respect his coaches and the front office on and off the ice, the ability is still there. Knowing that these comments were made however, it's not likely that he'll be in Montreal anytime soon, and for a talented third-round pick, that could be a big loss for the Canadiens.
Source: Hockey Feed Canadiens draft pick Dmitri Kostenko destroyed by his own GM.
POLL | ||
8 JUILLET | 215 ANSWERS Former Canadiens third-round pick Dmitri Kostenko called out by his own GM Will Dmitri Kostenko ever get a shot in the NHL? | ||
Yes | 75 | 34.9 % |
No | 140 | 65.1 % |
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