Korostin to Maroon?

Sergi Korostin was selected by the London Knights in the first round of the import draft. If Maroon in back this season and Korostin plays another year of Juniors could be interesting.

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Knights happy with their Russian By RYAN PYETTE 18-year-old Sergei Korostin played on the world under-18 team with top pick Nikita Filatov. By RYAN PYETTE Mark Hunter couldn't loosen Sudbury general manager Mike Foligno's iron-clad grip on the first overall pick in yesterday's Canadian Hockey League import draft. While the Wolves selected coveted Columbus first rounder Nikita Filatov, the Knights GM opted for the young star's former Russian world under-18 teammate -- forward Sergei Korostin -- at the 37th spot. "Mike wasn't going to move the first pick," Hunter said. "It didn't even get to that point (of discussing compensation for a trade). He didn't want to hear it." Korostin kind of sounds like Kostitsyn, and if this Sergei works out for the Knights anything like the popular Belarussian now with the Montreal Canadiens, then London won't be worried about failing to get Filatov. A Dallas Stars third-rounder (64th overall) in 2007, Korostin split last season between HC Dynamo in Russia and the Texas Tornado of the North American Hockey League. He's listed in the top five on some Dallas scouting depth charts ahead of Sweden's Fabian Brunnstrom, whose free agent status caused a recruitment stir during the Stanley Cup playoffs. "He's got a hard shot and he can score," Hunter said. "He's a top couple of lines kind of guy. If you want to win, you need three solid lines and a fourth as an energy line." The five-foot-11, 180-pounder from Prokopievsk, who turns 19 on July 5, scored eight goals and 18 points in 19 games for a Texas team that finished 20-33-5 in the NAHL. The pick was less of a gamble for London because the skater had already shown a willingness to play in North America. "But as an NHL pick, nothing's ever 100 per cent for certain because Dallas can send him to the American league (AHL) instead of to junior," Hunter said. "Look what happened with Dave and Sam Gagner (going to NHL clubs early). There's no guarantees." Former NHL defenceman Craig Ludwig was an assistant coach with Texas, but Hunter didn't seek him out for a scouting report because the London boss saw Korostin play two years ago against stiff competition at the 2007 world under-18 championship in Finland. "Not every time (do you have to see a player before he signs) but you do like to watch him play so you can draw your own conclusions," he said. Korostin outgunned Filatov (five goals to four in seven games) at the Finland tournament and recorded six points to help the Russians win the gold medal. He scored once and drew an assist in the final -- a 6-5 victory over the U.S.