Jesperi Kotkaniemi did not like the treatment he received from the Habs
At the time of writing, we still don't know where Jesperi Kotkaniemi will be heading next season. Will he still be a member of the Carolina Hurricanes or will he return to the Montreal Canadiens? What decision will Marc Bergevin make? One thing remains certain, the relationship between "KK" and the Habs seems to be a little frayed. In fact, Kotkaniemi's statement indicates his desire to leave...
The Athletic reported that the young Finnish player may not only be looking for a decent contract, but that he is also looking to leave the Montreal organization because of the way he was treated. In addition to being left out from the lineup a few times, he was hurt by Bergevin's comments about him not having absolute confidence in KK as the Montreal Canadiens' second center.
This issue is taking a very negative path as Kotkaniemi is not only ready to leave the team, but is actively looking for that path. With all of these elements, plus the totally illogical contract that Don Waddell dropped on him, how can we believe that the 3rd overall pick in the 2018 auction will come back to don the knitwear of the Canadiens? No way!
We've been saying it for the past few hours, the best direction for Bergevin to take is to refuse to match the offer, then turn around and make a deal with the picks and good prospects he has. After reading all this, imagine how he KK would be received in the dressing room in two weeks... That's it!
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates with his teammates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/529497.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates with his teammates his goal against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Finland forward Patrik Laine (92) looks on in warm-up before a game against Team USA during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/529477.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Finland forward Patrik Laine (92) looks on in warm-up before a game against Team USA during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) prepares for a face off in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/529423.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Connor McDavid (97) prepares for a face off in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sam Bennett (9) and Team United States forward Brady Tkachuk (7) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/529410.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sam Bennett (9) and Team United States forward Brady Tkachuk (7) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Brad Marchand (63) skates in the warmup period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/529320.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Brad Marchand (63) skates in the warmup period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game against Team United States at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA defenseman Noah Hanifin (15) defends the puck against Team Finland forward Joel Armia (40 in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/529289.webp "Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA defenseman Noah Hanifin (15) defends the puck against Team Finland forward Joel Armia (40 in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
