Dmitri Kostenko, a young defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens, started out during a loan to Yugra Khanty-Mansiysk in the VHL, Russia’s equivalent of the American League. But make no mistake, Yugra general manager Sergei Gusev was eager to get rid of him.

His prediction? Kostenko will never set foot in North America and will not receive an offer from the Canadians.

This 2021 third-round pick by Trevor Timmins (87th) was loaned to the club from Western Siberia in the second half of the season^e total) found his way by collecting 20 points, including eight goals, in 22 games. However, there is nothing to be done: Gusev just can’t feel it.

“He will never give up [à la LNH]“ said Gusev on the other end of the line.

Disappointing reports

Gusev’s reports on the young man are scathing, describing an offensive defenseman who bolsters his power play record to serve his own ends, disdains physical play and refuses to implement the advice given to him.

Simply put, Kostenko committed the biggest sin in hockey: not being a team player.

“He doesn’t want to learn, he just wants to do his own thing,” Gusev complained. If you tell him not to make the cross-court pass, he will still give the puck to the opponent.”

It’s not because they’re not trying to change it. The hockey player says he’s taken the time to sit down with Kostenko on numerous occasions to talk some sense into him.

“I’ve spoken to him several times,” he said. I told him, “Listen, if you want to play in the NHL, you have to do this and that…” He seems to listen, you know, he says he understands and he’ll do his best. But the match comes and he does the same stupid things.

“He also acts like an idiot when you don’t involve him in the power play. He doesn’t say anything, but you can see it in his body language. He really drives me crazy.”

The only reason Kostenko was able to get his valuable minutes and points was because no other defenseman on the team had the skills to manipulate the power play.

“I couldn’t put him on the bench, but if I could, I would have done so in every game,” assured the Yugra CEO.

Conversations with Bobrov

When Gusev got a call from Nick Bobrov, the Canadiens’ co-director of amateur scouting, he wasn’t playing around with it.

“I told him the same thing,” Gusev said. Bobrov, in turn, told me that he had been following this guy for two years and that nothing had changed. I was not surprised to hear that.”

In short, it would be surprising if Bobrov were to push for Kostenko’s signing.

“No, I don’t think so,” said Gusev.

Nothing dramatic, of course. Kostenko would be just one of many third-round picks who didn’t make it to the NHL. And the Canadiens are relying on a full pool of young defenders.

But this story serves as a lesson in hope. What looks like an outbreak and a rise in power may be just smoke and mirrors. Statistics only tell part of the story.

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