Sad announcement from the Hurricanes involving Kotkaniemi, and it's officially over for him on the top three lines
What a strange season for former Montreal Canadiens forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
After seeing him accumulate 15 points in his first 19 games of the season, many experts got carried away, harshly criticized the Habs for letting him go, and KK was already practically seen as a dominant player in the NHL.
The Hurricanes thought they had finally found their 2nd line center for the next ten years.
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Jesperi Kotkaniemi has been demoted to the 4th line, and it didn't take long
Since his strong start, things have gone downhill for Kotkaniemi.
With only 3 points in his last 26 games, he's no longer really in his head coach's game plan.
He no longer plays on the power play and has indeed been sent to the 4th line, in favor of Jack Drury.
«A total fall-off after a promising start to the season. At 23, turning 24 this summer, in his sixth NHL season, one can no longer blame youth as a factor. A disappointment.»
- Mathias Brunet, La Presse
«Brind'Amour said there could be lineup and line changes. Well, here's one. Drury centering the second line in warm-ups and Kotkaniemi on the fourth line.»
- Chip Alexander, who covers the Hurricanes
Some are even talking about a possible contract buyout for Kotkaniemi, who has brought absolutely nothing to his team for nearly 30 games. Ouch.
And as Mathias Brunet points out, inexperience can no longer be blamed. He's played nearly 400 career NHL games!
This season, he has 18 points in 45 games, on pace for 33 points in 82 games.
Previously on HabsFanatics
| POLL |
22 JANVIER | 972 ANSWERS Sad announcement from the Hurricanes involving Kotkaniemi, and it's officially over for him on the top three lines Would you trade Christian Dvorak and a 2nd round pick for Jesperi Kotkaniemi and his contract? |
| Yes | 210 | 21.6 % |
| No | 762 | 78.4 % |
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