Kostin probably goes to the KHL before signing that. The Oilers want to keep him around and would offer him more. If it only took 1M, then he probably takes 1M in Edmonton over 1M in Toronto.

Did he ever play up in the lineup with the oilers? Or was he always on the 4th line?

I don't watch the Oilers too much but I think he did play on the 2nd and 3rd. Could check in a bit.

Edit: He played 25 minutes with McDavid and Yamamoto, doesn't seem like much but that's his second highest time with any group, although most of his time was with different iterations in the bottom 6. Actually, I'm blind I was thinking that didn't make sense.

These are the lines he played the most with:

Nugent-Hopkins-Kostin-Janmark 141.3 minutes
Kostin-Shore-Ryan 124.9 minutes

In the playoffs all 4th line.

That’s fair. I just felt like robertson could be more favourable to play with McDavid since he’s quick and skilled. The leafs should be adding more size and grit, that’s where I thought the idea might work. If he’s probably going to the KHL, that’s a different story then

I don't think he's necessarily going, but there's a rumor that there is a team or teams in the KHL poking around, and the Oilers might not be able to give him a competitive offer.

The Oilers want proven guys in their top 6, rumor is that they are after Konencny but they are also interested in Pesce who is probably more of a needed than another top 6 forward.