Note (August 5): Canadiens.com had scheduled a press release for August 4th. However, with no reasoning, the press release has been removed from their website. Even though it’s only a matter of when Kostitsyn’s future is made public, there is no official word yet. Stay tuned for continuing developments.
Note (August 10): Official: Kostitsyn signs with the Habs
In the next few days, the Montreal Canadiens will issue a press release about Andrei Kostitsyn. It is highly expected that GM Bob Gainey will announce the signing of the Belarussian RW to an entry level, 3 year contract.
Kostitsyn, standing at 6’0 and 189 lbs, was selected in the first round of last year’s entry draft, 10th overall. Many analysts felt that he should have been selected higher, but frequent epileptic episodes caused many teams to shy away and take a “safer pick.” Last season, he split time between CSKA Division 1 and 2 in Russia. With Div.1, he recorded an assist in 11 games, with a pair of PIMS before being sent down. In Div.2, Kostitsyn lit it up, scoring 25 goals and 13 assists, while adding 28 PIMS in just 27 games. He also played in the World Juniors, World Championships, the Euro Ice Hockey Challenge, and the EEHL.
Kostitsyn recently took part in the Canadiens Development Camp, held in mid-July. It was there that he officially changed the spelling of his surname from “Kastsitsyn” to the current “Kostitsyn.” Many left the camp feeling highly enthusiastic about his potential, although there were some worries when he missed the final few days of camp for what was later said to be pre-scheduled testing by Canadiens’ Doctor David Mulder. Habsworld.net analyst Jake Wilson, who attended most of the camp, gave Kostitsyn an A+ rating based on his performance, which is very encouraging to Canadiens fans.
This season, Kostitsyn will get a long look at the Canadiens training camp, and should have a strong chance at making the team. If he doesn’t crack the lineup, or there is a work stoppage, he is expected to be assigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs, where he will be placed in a scoring role.