Itll happen if the team doesn't offer fair compensation and the players can find much better contracts elsewhere

Maybe I can shed some light on Kostin for you. I’m fully aware of what the AHL is compared to vs junior leagues or college or Euro Leabo. The fact is it’s rare that an 18 year old has to play in the A. Kostin spoke no English at 18. Once his first year started the Blues lost control over their AHL team to Vegas. Vegas doesn’t care about Kostin’s development and rightfully so therefore his entire season was a very bad growth year.

He has improved each of the last two years and the only reasons he didn’t stick on the NHL roster this year is because the Blues have insane depth at forward and they could get by with keeping him in the A.

Playing in the A isn’t only about amassing stats. If you haven’t seen Kostin play at both levels and are only looking at a stat sheet I can understand how you form an opinion.

I think Kostin will be a top 6 power forward and personally I wouldn’t take less than a mid range 1st for him. This is a make believe trade. I welcome other opinions but it helps credibility more if you’re not just pulling stats alone.

depth was not the issue or the problem.
Nor was a language barrier.
Nor is being 18 in the AHL rare. Lots of players come into the AHL young. Kapanen in TOR did it, by 21 he was full time on TOR mid way through the season.
Lot of players skip the AHL all the time and come into the NHL at 19 and 20.
Suzuki this year in MTL for example.

So it's not an age issue. It's not a blocked path issue. It's not a whatever issue you want to try to make it. He's had 3 years in the AHL. It's not about stats. It's about STL not having done anything with him and then wanting to claim he's still worth a 1st. It doesn't work that way. Players do lose value if you don't DO anything with them.
Much like Kyrou who STL fans built up to be the next Jesus walking on water. But now he looks like a run of the mill 3rd liner worth about a mid round pick.

Edmonton has its own cap concerns, so they can't bring in contracts without moving out contracts as well. They also don't have a lot of strength that correlates well to any needs St. Louis may have. If not Russell, the only other players they can offer are probably Chiasson, Benning, and Khaira. I don't think there's a deal to be made involving Allen and any of those current Oilers.

No. Still.

I would do that trade if I was Ottawa only to buy out bozak but also wouldn’t give you a first. Maybe a top second then a third combined