Sharks’ Klim Kostin to return after 12-game absence due to lower-body injury

San Jose Sharks center Klim Kostin has been activated from the injured reserve after missing the past 12 games due to lower-body ailment.

Sidelined since mid-January, Kostin has been limited to 26 appearances on the season in which he has scored once and added three assists for four points coupled with 25 penalty minutes and a minus-four rating.

The 25-year-old Russian-born forward is skating in his first full season in San Jose after splitting the 2023-24 campaign between the Detroit Red Wings and Sharks. Acquired from the Red Wings last March in exchange for defenseman Radim Simek and a seventh-round selection in the 2024 NHL Draft, Kostin added five goals and five assists for 10 points through 19 showings with San Jose last season. In all, Kostin wrapped up 2023-24 with 14 points counting eight goals and six assists through 52 total games with the Red Wings and Sharks.

Originally chosen 31st overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2017 NHL Draft, Kostin has seen 181 career contests with the Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Red Wings, and Sharks in which he has collected 25 goals and 25 assists for 50 points. With the Oilers in 2022-23, Kostin potted a career-high 21 points coming in 57 outings. Kostin has also added three goals and two assists for five points in 12 contests in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Per PuckPedia, Kostin is in the final year of a two-year pact that carries a $2-million annual average value. Kostin can become a restricted free agent this coming offseason.

Entering Saturday’s contest against the Dallas Stars, the Sharks have found the win column just once in their past 10 outings and sit at the bottom of the NHL standings with a 15-34-7 record and 37 points. Following Saturday, the Sharks will break for the 4 Nations Face-Off before returning to action February 23 against the Pacific Division rival Calgary Flames.