Andrei Kostitsyn

Drafted in the first round, 10th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2003, Andrei Kostistsyn is one of the few NHL players from Belarus. The 2003 draft was one of the deepest in NHL history seeing NHL stars Zach Parise and Ryan Getzlaf being picked after Kostitsyn. Andrei Kostitsyn was predicted to have been picked higher than 10th because of the great tournament he played at the 2003 under 18 World Junior Championship but it was health concerns with Andrei Kostitsyn's back that justified Andrei's 10th overall place in the draft.

Other Belarussian players playing in the NHL include Mikhail Grabovski and Sergei Kostitsyn (Andrei's younger brother) all of whom played for the Canadiens at one point during their careers until they were traded for complaining about ice time or demotions. Andrei Kostitsyn signed a three year deal with Montreal in 2004 and played for the Canadiens' affiliate AHL team in Hamilton for the next two seasons. It was the 2007-2008 season that saw Andrei Kostitsyn break out in the NHL amassing a career best 53 points in 78 games in his rookie season. This production outburst came just before signing another 3 year deal this time worth 3.25 million per season.

Andrei Kostitsyn exhibits some of the most untapped potential in the league. He is big, fast, has great hands and a cannon of a shot. One of the reasons that is keeping Andrei from being one of the elite goal scorers in the league is his release point. It seems to take Kostitsyn some time for his shot to power up. This split second he uses to do this usually gives the opponent an opportunity to get their stick in the way. If only he had the release point of Mike Cammalleri…

Andrei scored only 15 goals during the 2009-2010 season and even though he was injured for a good part he was expected to score around double that. At times Andrei's play seems to be missing a burning desire to win and he seems disconnected. If Kostitsyn could immerse himself mentally in the game a little more, feel the need for goals and give a little more "oumph" he has potential for 40 goals per season. Until then he will be a good top six forward.

Strengths of Kostitsyn include his ability to handle the puck at high speeds, his devastating shot and smart play and tape to tape passes. Weaknesses include Kostitsyn's unwillingness to make necessary plays like going to the net to score garbage goals or playing his man hard in his own zone. Kostitsyn also makes poor decisions when pressured or in an awkward position

Andrei Kostitsyn's nickname is "AK46". At one point during the 2008-2009 season the Kostitsyn brothers and Roman Hamrlik were thought to be linked to the Russian Mafia.