The Disappointing Rise and Fall of Jesperi Kotkaniemi…

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With the Carolina Hurricanes once again disappointing in the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, all eyes are now on their offseason and what MAJOR moves they could make!
The attention is now on Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who in 2022 signed to a MASSIVE 7-year contract with Carolina, and now two years later is a TRADE and BUYOUT option for the Hurricanes...
But what's gone wrong in Jesperi Kotkaniemi's career? Why did this season turn out SO BAD for him? Does Carolina even have the space to keep him? And will they be FORCED to play somewhere else next season? Let's find out!
#nhl #hockey #nhltraderumors #carolinahurricanes
(Jesperi Kotkaniemi Trade / Jesperi Kotkaniemi Buyout / Jesperi Kotkaniemi Highlights / Carolina Hurricanes NHL Trade Rumors 2024 / Carolina Hurricanes News Today / Carolina Hurricanes Mock Trade Ideas / Martin Necas Trade / Sebastian Aho / Seth Jarvis / Jake Guentzel / Tony DeAngelo / Brett Pesce / Frederik Andersen / Rob Brind'Amour / 2024 NHL Playoffs / 2024 NHL Playoff Predictions / 2024 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions / 2024 Stanley Cup Winner / NHL Standings Predictions & Picks 2023-24 / 2024 NHL Bracket Challenge / 2024 NHL Trade Deadline & Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers / Dallas Stars vs Colorado Avalanche / New York Rangers vs Carolina Hurricanes / Florida Panthers vs Boston Bruins Highlights 2023-24)
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[@GravitehHockey]

Available now in Canada! Make DAILY NHL playoff picks with Sleeper Fantasy and use my code GRAV to get up to $100 on your first deposit: Sleeper.com/promo/GRAV QOTD: If you're Carolina, what do you do with Kotkaniemi? Do you trade him, buy him out, or just keep him for the future? Let me know!! #GravGang

[@PingoupTV]

easy: trade him for some assets or just wait until he takes more value

[@bladeorade12]

Skip to 2 minutes in to avoid the gambling propaganda

[@MurphMM.]

sign up for sleeper fantasy and use promo code Grav and you'll get up to 100 dollars matched. My pick is to take the under on game 1 of rangers panthers

[@whogivesashirtdotca]

Better to skip all of it just in case. Gross to see how many of these guys suckle at the teat of an unethical industry.

[@darkvoid54321]

The problem is, he shouldnt have been a 3rd overall pick, he should have been more in the 10-15 range, and then habs rushed him into the nhl and didnt let him develop. Then he got stuck into a billionaire war, where it seemed that the hurricans were morecinterested in trying to screw the habs and offersheet him instead of actually wanting him

[@kurtwpg]

Central Scouting thought it should be Brady Tkachuk, but what do they know?

[@kenmacleod7225]

That sounds about right. That $8.4M the Habs forced Tom Dundon to pay Aho must have been eating at him something fierce to offer sheet KK. But at the time, word was that Waddell thought it was a good move. KK didn't develop into what they hoped he'd be. No big deal..this happens all the time in sports.

[@senseofjustice0218]

Came here to post this. Dude was projected in the middle of the first round and was only drafted third because Marc Bergevin is an awful GM who was desperate for a top center.

[@kurtwpg]

@@senseofjustice0218 You're letting your hatred of Bergevin blind you to the fact he speaks French.

[@Sound_Plus_Vision]

@@senseofjustice0218 Not true, he was a late riser in the 2018 draft rankings as draft day grew nearer, and was repeatedly linked to the Habs as our guy for weeks prior. He shouldn't have gone third, and certainly not above Tkachuk or Quinn Hughes, but he was absolutely a top 10 projected pick before the draft

[@spooley]

Owner Tom Dundon making his own GM look like a dolt then had their juvenile social media teams attempt to rub it in. Deserving ending to a stupid move made purely out of spite.

[@kenmacleod7225]

Yes, this Habs fan isn't losing any sleep over that arrogant billionaire's' troubles. I do like the player, though. I feel bad for KK and I hope things work out got him, eventually.

[@Dylan-rd2ep]

remember when canes fans thought they stole him from montreal? loooooooooooooooooool

[@ledsabbazepplath3889]

“He’ll develop into a 1C in Carolina”

[@Theaveragejoehockeyreport]

​@@ledsabbazepplath3889I'm sure they didn't think he was gonna be better than Aho. But considering they already had Trochek (should have kept him), Staal, Jack Drury and Ryan Suzuki in the system, the offer sheet made no sense.

[@jonah.donohue]

You’ll see

[@danielmontreal007]

Carolina should call Montreal and ask for Dvorak to replace KK. Kent Hughes will send him for 15$ 😂

[@robertolivercarlson7879]

I wouldn’t give up on a player at 23

[@Bio_YTalt]

Honestly i think he got too greedy, if he had stayed in montreal he most likely would've continue to develop as a good hockey player, especially with marty as the coach. He would even have a good pairing on the second line with kirby for sure.

[@4u2nvHock3y]

This is exactly who Brent Sennecke reminds me of. I really don't think he's bad. Just developed wrong badly. And wasn't a top 3 player in the draft. I think he still actually has 50-65 point middle 6 upside like Stephenson.

[@kurtwpg]

6 years in, he's clearly the worst player drafted in the top 8, probably 2nd worst in the top 12.

[@matthew7827]

Well here is the problem about kotkaniemi development. Firstly, he was rushed way too early into the nhl. He wasn’t even supposed to be drafted 3rd overall bht since he was probably the best center available, Bergevin went for him. Secondly, realize if Bergevin sent him down to the AHL or the junior leagues, maybe he would’ve been a complete different player by now. Ever since Bergevin drafted him, i’ve always disliked and despised that pick but that doesn’t prevent me from thinking Kotkaniemi could’ve reached his peek if he had the right development at that time and if he wasn’t rushed into the big leagues way too early. Think about Slafkovsky this season who had a disappointing rookie season but quickly turned it around the next season because of the coaching management team.

[@etiennemore1704]

@@kurtwpgNot really, Zadina and Hayton were drafted top 8 too

[@swen1208]

@@kurtwpg Zadina says hi.

[@Theaveragejoehockeyreport]

​@@matthew7827this is Geoff Molsons fault. He should have fired MB before he was even given a chance to draft KK. KK also had terrible coaches in Claude Julien who was past his expiration date and the pr move Dominique Ducharme. At least Slafkovský has a great coach in MSL.

[@Spotnick2]

We got words recently that is work ethic was questionable. Don't know if that's true, but that was the most recent in Montreal medias. Sadly for him, the whole offer sheet derailed his career where he didn't really have to prove himself, and the fact the Habs didn't match was clearly a red flag.

[@manu-animation-924]

Actually thats false info in his book Bergevin opened up that he matched the offer sheet the last day of the offer and called kotkaniemi few times for him to accept but he never answered the phone his agent then called him to tell Bergevin he didn’t want to play to Montreal even if he matched the offer due to maybe the treatment he had in the playoffs and that’s how he left Montreal

[@deltagolavista1]

His contract was made to be bought out if he didn't pan out to his potential. His cap hit would be better spent elsewhere. There really is no loss here considering how well the Cane's draft. Real winner here is Utah, who got Conor Geekie after trading up the first rounder used in the Dvorak trade.

[@AskAScreenwriter]

STL could convince Torey Krug to waive his NTC and deal him to Carolina for Kotkaniemi straight up. (Or it could be Justin Faulk, but the Blues would much prefer to deal Krug) -JK gets a fresh start with less immediate pressure. (Blues are looking at another year or two retool) -Krug goes to a current cup-level competitor. (Carolina's cup window is now) -Carolina gets a very good offensive D-man and PP QB who's not bad in his own zone -St. Louis gets a younger mid-line center to grow with the youth movement under way and clears out one of the NTCs currently creating a logjam on the blueline Balancing considerations: -Krug currently makes $1.68 mil more than JK -JK is signed for 6 more years, Krug for only 3 -Krug's NTC becomes a '15-team list' NEXT Summer -JK's contract is unencumbered

[@frankcastle10]

We revived Eeli Tolvanen in Seattle. Give us KK for cap minimum and he has a breakout year 😉 lmao

[@brianawilk285]

Necas would look good in orange and black. He could center the future Michkov line.

[@frigolo1279]

Imagine if this was all Bergevin idea from the ludacrest offersheet on Aho, setting the bait and the waiting for the big fish to take it ? Bergevin was playing chess and the other fellow was playing checkers .

[@whogivesashirtdotca]

You give that giant dolt Bergevin way too much credit. He's not smart enough to plot like that.

[@TheJimmyStDenisShow]

Montreal should of picked Hughes or tkachuk

[@yaoming7762]

old news

[@marcbabineau6001]

no shit sherlock

[@fritzthecatdz7dv]

Never heard of that one.

[@coochycoo4395]

I don’t necessarily want this to happen but Vancouver might want to see if a kotkiniemi for mikayev trade is possible

[@gabetalks9275]

That offersheet was bad before it was even signed. The fact that a contender that was supposed to be focused on winning now was instead, more focused on wasting almost 5M for 6 years purely out of spite is just pathetic. That's the kind of hissy fit that you'd expect from a middle schooler, but no, it came from a professional sports franchise. And now, it's become a liability. Deserved.

[@upscalestew7850]

The offer sheet was only 1 year. The current contract is because they actually believed in him as a player

[@Theaveragejoehockeyreport]

An offer sheet by the same gm that helped the Thrashers fold in Atlanta. And he's made some weird moves in carolina too.

[@gabetalks9275]

@@Theaveragejoehockeyreport Atlanta Spirit tied Waddell's hands. They forced him to cut salary, so it was basically impossible for him to build a winning them there.

[@Theaveragejoehockeyreport]

@@gabetalks9275 they oddly enough killed the spirit there lol. Oh well, I'm from winnipeg.

[@foghornleghorn5140]

The draft ladies reaction when Montreal drafted Kotkaniemi pretty much sums up his career to this point.

[@scottnance2200]

I was watching when Kotkaniemi scored his first (and second) goals against my beloved Washington Caps. I thought "this guy is going to be a star." I'm really not sure what happened.

[@mattatr0n677]

Every time i went to see the blues live i thought Patrik berglund looked like a star in the making. Looking back, that was way off. I guess that's why scouting is a precarious job: you could catch a guy on some good nights or during a hot streak and be convinced he's the next star everyone will be talking about, but you don't pay attention or catch him during the low points

[@kenmacleod7225]

Revenge might be right around the corner. An offer sheet for Martin Necas would get the Habs that player. The Canes are in such a cap bind, they know it would be a Tavares-like poison pill for them to match it.

[@jasonvoorheesthethird]

It would be a huge mistake for MTL to get Necas, the guy is overrated and he’s definitely not what the HABS need

[@kenmacleod7225]

@@jasonvoorheesthethird I think he's pretty close to a point-per-game player on the right team. I think he might be exactly what Montreal needs.

[@jasonvoorheesthethird]

@@kenmacleod7225 I really disagree, Necas will never be a point per game player, he’s a peripheral player and he’s way overrated imo. He only had one good season, and besides he doesn’t fit in MTL, he’s not what they need. MTL need a player with character and skills, not a player who’s afraid to go where it hurts. I’m telling you, it would be a huge mistake for the HABS to get him, everyone will want him out in just 2-3 years if they do

[@Ryukasan1]

MTL is still in a rebuild and giving away an unprotected first for Necas would be insanely dangerous, Just talk to the GM and try to make a deal if you really want Necas.

[@kenmacleod7225]

@@Ryukasan1 For sure. It has to be your own first-rounder in an offer sheet and that might still be a lottery pick at the end of next season. The Canes are in cap hell. They'll listen to anyone at this stage, even the Canadiens. But it will probably take a package much like the Kings paid for PLD to get Necas. We might be better off trading for a more modest Dach/Newhook type of player who hasn't quite broken out yet. They were smart gambles that appear to be paying off, more or less..

[@jakubskalos677]

those bots are something else 😅

[@bangbangyoureaboolean1324]

lol, I think I know what you mean.

[@benoitrobitaille5235]

This is what happens if you let ego influence your decisions as a NHL GM they wanted to get 1 up MTL so badly that they grossly overpaid for a at best bad 2nd line center potentially … on a bottom dwelling team. Montreal offer sheeted Aho his actual market value thinking Carolina would be too cheap to sign him, because that was their reputation at the time. Honestly Los Angeles offering Danault slightly more money is more akin to what MTL tried to do with Aho than whatever Carolina imagined they would accomplish by vastly overpaying Kotkaniemi and compensate MTL.

[@oasisbeyond]

Jordan Stall is not a #2 Center anymore come on my dudes. 3 = good.

[@kenethlevine]

it must be summer when a popular Habs podcast actually entertained the idea that they could sign Kotkaniemi next year if he is bought out. Um, why? He has been victim of unrealistic expectations from the moment he was drafted. It has hurt his development but swelled his pocketbook. I'm guessing money does not buy happiness though.

[@maxymilien84]

I do believe KK has his place in the NHL and will find his stride eventually, most probably at 3rd line C. I mean, I look at Armia, a player obviously very talented, and it seems he's finally figuring his game out at 30 years old. I think the destination of choice will be a team that is in the start of middle of a rebuild mode, like you mentioned San Jose & Columbus. Maybe Seattle would look for a bit more offensive punch? But one thing is for sure, he shouldn't have been drafted 3rd, nor brought straight to the NHL. Realizing Montreal chose him over Hughes, Tkachuk & Dobson stings a lot. And I was one chirping the Sens about KK being better that Brady. I was wrong.

[@mariovaccarella6854]

Great Video, as usual, Nathan. I think The Montreal Canadiens are Thanking Their Lucky Stars about the Offer Sheet. Let me know what you think

[@IslesForever7]

As an Isles fan, thank God Canes have done something wrong in last few years

[@upscalestew7850]

Don’t write him off yet though, he’s still very young

[@Ryukasan1]

No. Stop! The "young" excuse only works with players who are actually developing and don't have a lot of NHL games in their body. KK is turning 24 this summer and, playoffs included, already has over 450 NHL games worth of experience. What you are seeing now is what you're gonna get. A very average 3rd line center who's overpaid out of spite from a past offer sheet. KK at 2-3M for 2-3 years is fine. KK at 4.8m over 7 years is an abomination of a deal.

[@pat181026]

how can you think guentzel and jarvis will only cost 15m jake alone is gonna be 10-12m its why Pittsburgh traded him

[@Mylife4hockey]

Just imagine if the Habs had Brady Tkachuk like everyone on planet earth thought they were taking....

[@YKMilli]

As a Habs fan drafting this guy makes me mad 😡

[@theanimeshack1373]

The problem is Carolina brought his upon themselves. I'm glad that Montreal said their goodbyes to kk

[@bspangenberg3002]

No shot CBus should be interested

[@kashitumbapura6691]

Kotkaniemi had 14 points in the first 15 games Which means he had 13 in the last 64

[@MrSebby08]

The whole thing is overblown considering his age and his production to date. His next team will end up with a great deal.

[@MrSebby08]

In fact, he’ll sign a better value contract for next season than will Necas, whom everyone seems to love but also doesn’t have consistent production, is a year older and is a weaker defender.

[@Jacob-rq5zb]

Marc Bergevin was a petty GM for the Habs and gave an offer sheet to Aho, the the Canes the next year did the same shit and stole KK for the heck of it but not because they thought so much of him.

[@p.g.944]

ultimate chaos would be montreal offering a offer sheet for necas

[@Ryukasan1]

They wont because Hugues is actually smart and patient, unlike Bergevin.

[@veggienat1]

The rise ? I must have missed it.

[@Habsfan-pc8ts]

Why not Brady Tkachuk the habs needed him

[@thomasferzy]

easy buyout, we move 🔥🔥

[@DBSG1976]

This is why I want the Kraken to take their time developing Shane Wright, this is a cautionary tale in player development.

[@user-qo1gk2kj3e]

He needs to play with someone like Crosby or Mackinnon...players with high hockey IQ instead of bums.

[@ChillBlinton]

Canes fan here.....yeah...

[@madmaddux5769]

If this doesn't scream pick bpa and not for need I don't know what does

[@KingSteady]

Who did Montreal get with the picks they got from Carolina?

[@marcbabineau6001]

Dvorak

[@KingSteady]

@@marcbabineau6001 yikes.

[@wild_insomnia]

buyout and a fresh start in San Jose or Pittsburgh.Rooster,there's no other way.

[@kurtwpg]

I don't think Carolina will sell low on a 23 year old who is still a cheap buyout in 2025. His trade value can barely go down from here, and waiting a year on a buyout ends the buyout period sooner.

[@tupac2352]

Bro is a walking L

[@derekhand7904]

The canes really wanted to show the habs so much so the stuck there foot in There mouth

[@ryanlinder6442]

KK back to habs?😊

[@jfhoude81]

He'll get bought out and then signs in Calgary

[@zacharyhines3343]

Hayes and 3rd for JK

[@zacharyhines3343]

I would take a chance. Can't be much worse than Hayes.

[@nickmelin248]

if they buy him out the sharks will give him a chance

[@MrXanderii]

Someone they isn't on s rush well sign him at he gets bought out. I can see him a team giving him s shot

[@user-jm5gf1je1m]

And with all that said, he is genuinely worst than Zadina... Hardcore...

[@zacharyhines3343]

Maybe Faulk for JK

[@ColeTalksHockey67]

Poor kid was rushed to the NHL

[@sammy8796]

Another Avs reclamation project 🔜

[@gimmick7389]

drafted by motreal, dude was destined to fail

[@0707111161]

Juraj Slafkovsky 50 points in first full season!

[@zacharyhines3343]

Krug for JK

[@colinlaliberte470]

there never was a rise 😂😂😂

[@supersenpaizyt]

Do NOT be shocked if the Florida Panthers take a flyer at Kotkaniemi

[@juliovillalobos2559]

He’s is gona be a shark 😂

[@jordanwillnance]

Another player ruined by poor habs development womp womp womp

[@kurtwpg]

This is the risk you take when you do a massive reach with the 3rd overall pick. You notice how Kaiden Guhle was the safe, predictable pick? That's because 2 years in they realized they had screwed up and another reach would have been gambling with their jobs.

[@Willy-jr85]

Massive reach whoah if Montréal dont Pick him the Coyotes take him at five

[@kurtwpg]

@@Willy-jr85 He was the 6th ranked European skater. The 2nd got picked 8th, the 3rd got picked 9th, the 4th got picked 16th, the 5th got picked 50th, the 7th got picked 15th, and the 8th got picked 23rd.

[@zblip22]

Carolina should have known better than rely on the Montreal Canadian's hability to recuite a good player. Whoever the Habs draft, you know it is going to be a bust.

[@thailakhampo]

Slaf 's a bust? Hughes administrations. Not Bergevin

[@fritzthecatdz7dv]

🙄

[@0707111161]

Juraj Slafkovsky 50 points in first full season!

[@c0stathecraycraygreek459]

JK IS TRADABLE. The cap hit per season is very manageable. The issue is the term and starting 7/1/24, he has a M-NTC.

[@c0stathecraycraygreek459]

Also Caroline might have to eat salary to entice teams to trade for him.

[@boulonoir8011]

3rd pick overall was Kotkaniemi.... 4th pick Brady Tkachuk!!! Talk about messing up! 75% of the Montreal fans where shouting TKACHUK!!! But the experts knew better...

[@astroking3290]

False narrative. Nobody was talming about Tkatchuk. Fans wanted Zadina, who is worst than KK lol

[@gameratheinvincible7662]

lol…there was never any rise…it was a crappy pick by a stupid gm

[@0707111161]

And an even dumber offer sheet from the canes. ☺😂