When the Montreal Canadiens used their 3rd overall pick in the 2018 NHL draft to select Jesperi Kotkaniemi it surprised quite a few people. Canadiens GM at the time Marc Bergevin, opted to select the Finnish center in Kotkaniemi over the gritty and scoring winger from Boston University in Brady Tkachuk. Tkachuk has gone on to develop into one the better young players in the game today, while Kotkaniemi is still struggling to meet draft expectations, on another team.
It was August 28th, 2021 during the early evening when the Carolina Hurricanes sent shockwaves around the NHL when they used the rare offer sheet on the Habs Jesperi Kotkaniemi. The Hurricanes offered Kotkaniemi a one-year deal for $6.1M dollars, giving the Habs 7 days to decide if they want to match the offer, or let Kotkaniemi go to the Hurricanes in exchange for the compensation of two 2nd round picks.
The Canadiens decided not match the offer and Kotkaniemi became a member of the Carolina Hurricanes. The decision to offer sheet Kotkaniemi came with some criticism as the young forward was coming off a year in which he only scored 5 goals in 56 games.
Kotkaniemis’ first year in Carolina during the 21-22 season was a little better, as Kotkaniemi scored 12 goals but still only totaled 29 points in 66 games played. Despite the numbers, Hurricanes then GM Don Waddell, signed Kotkaniemi to a 8-year contract worth $4.8M per season. Once again, the move on Carolina’s part drew some criticism but Wadell saw the potential in Kotkaniemi.
“Jesperi has shown us just how high his ceiling can be through his skill and work ethic, and that he is a great fit with our young core,” said Waddell. “He is still just 21 years old, and we are confident his role in our organization will continue to expand in the years to come.”
Fresh off his extension, the 22-23 season turned out to be Kotkaniemis’ best season to date. During that campaign, Kotkaniemi scored a career high 18 goals and 43 points, playing in all 82 games. It looked as though Kotkaniemi could be on the verge of becoming the player the Montreal Canadiens thought he could be when they drafted him 3rd overall a few years prior.
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Instead, Kotkaniemi had the worst statistical output of his career throughout a full season. In 79 games played during the 23-24 season, Kotkaniemi put up a total of 27 points.
His performance last season led to speculation in the media about the Hurricanes looking to move on from him via either trade or even a buyout. That speculation grew even louder when Don Wadell stepped down as the GM of the Hurricanes. With the GM in Wadell who brought Kotkaniemi to Carolina with an offer-sheet and re-signing him to an 8-year extension now gone, the thought was new GM Eric Tulsky may not be married to the idea of keeping Kotkaniemi on the roster.
When the summer came and went and Kotkaniemi was still a member of the Carolina Hurricanes it gave Kotkaniemi a chance to rebound from his tough 23-24 season. The now 24-year-old forward has the opportunity to show the organization that he can be a contributing member of the core going forward.
With an increased role likely coming for Marty Necas after a summer fueled with speculation on his future in Carolina and the franchise committing long term with Seth Jarvis, as well as young players like Jackson Blake and Bradly Nadeau chomping at the bit for ice time this year at the NHL level, Kotkaniemi will have to earn his ice-time.
If Kotkaniemi struggles once again this season, he could be moving onto his 3rd NHL team by the time he turns 25.
