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GM rips Canadiens draft pick claims he 'pouts' and 'won't make the NHL'
Montreal Canadiens Prospect Dmitri Kostenko was Criticized Harshly by his General Manager who claims he'll never make the NHL
Montreal Canadiens' third-round draft pick Dmitri Kostenko has faced severe criticism from his current coach, casting doubt on his future in the NHL. The General Manager of a VHL team in Russia, a league equivalent to the AHL, has made it clear he does not believe in Kostenko's potential.
Defenceman Dmitri Kostenko, selected 87th overall by the Canadiens in 2021, has yet to make his debut in North America. Sergei Gusev, the General Manager of Kostenko's team in Russia, has expressed significant doubts about his future.
"He will never make it to the NHL.
He doesn't want to learn, he just wants to do his own thing. You tell him to pass the puck across the ice and he will give the puck to the opponent anyways."
He doesn't want to learn, he just wants to do his own thing. You tell him to pass the puck across the ice and he will give the puck to the opponent anyways."
Gusev did not hold back, mentioning that Kostenko sulks when not given power play time and only received minutes due to a lack of alternatives.
"On top of it, if you don't put him on the power play he pouts. He won't saying anything but you can see it in his body language, he drives me crazy, seriously.
I couldn't bench him, but if I could, I would have done it every game."
I couldn't bench him, but if I could, I would have done it every game."
Last season, Kostenko split his time between Voskresensk Khimik and Khanty-Mansiysk Yugra in the VHL, tallying 11 goals and 25 points in 42 games. While it's not unusual for a third-round pick to never reach the NHL, such public criticism from a GM is rare.
Gusev's remarks highlight a significant hurdle in Kostenko's development, raising questions about his attitude and adaptability. This situation puts pressure on the young defenceman to prove his detractors wrong and work towards his goal of playing in the NHL.
Despite the harsh critique, Kostenko's supporters may argue that he still has time to develop and adjust his approach. The coming seasons will be crucial for Kostenko as he strives to turn his career around and fulfill his potential.
The Canadiens organization, along with fans, will undoubtedly watch closely to see how Kostenko responds to this public criticism and whether he can overcome these challenges to make an impact in North America.
Source: Blade of Steel
Canadiens draft pick will never make the NHL according to current GM
Canadiens draft pick will never make the NHL according to current GM
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 8 | 52 ANSWERS GM rips Canadiens draft pick claims he 'pouts' and 'won't make the NHL' Should Sergei Gusev be making these statements about Dmitri Kostenko? | ||
| If it's true, yes | 16 | 30.8 % |
| Seems unprofessional | 33 | 63.5 % |
| I'm not sure | 3 | 5.8 % |
| List of polls | ||