I'd be surprised if Kristo stepped right in and was successful out of the gate. If Cally and Hagelin are out to start the season, I'm sure he'll get a long look. However, he was so-so in his small stint in Hamilton this year.
That being said, there's a lot to like about the tools this kid has. I don't think he's quite as agitating as a Brad Marchand, but the speed, release, and playmaking abilities are there. He's certainly not afraid to mix it up physically. The existing chemistry with Stepan is a nice bonus. If Stepan winds up with two finishers in Kreider and Kristo that he has natural chemistry with, that could be really, really exciting to watch.