In early July, I mentioned that Klim Kostin gave an interview the YouTube show “Cherkas Atlant,” but that it was a Russian-language video. Today, Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff shares a snippet of the interview:
Shortly after Klim Kostin was being acquired by the Detroit Red Wings from the Edmonton Oilers, the big forward was signing a two-year contract with his new club. The pact will be paying the Russian center an AAV of $2 million.
That’s much more than what the average NBA mascot is earning, a fact that brings a smile to Kostin’s face.
It wasn’t all that long ago when he was barely earning more than someone who gets paid to dress up in a costume on game night and entertain children. That was in 2017. Taken 31st overall in the NHL entry draft by the St. Louis Blues, Kostin would ink an entry-level pact with the Blues.
“Did I say that I’m ready to stay in the NHL even for a bowl of soup?” Kostin explained on the YouTube channel Cherkas Atlant. “I was young. The NHL is a dream, of course.
“For example, I signed a $750,000 contract with the St. Louis that year. The minimum contract in the NHL. I know that mascots who jump before NBA games get $650,000. And I, an NHL player, have $750,000. We have a difference of one hundred thousand.”
Continued; Kostin’s an outspoken fellow.
