Now that Vincent Trocheck has signed a contract with the New York Rangers, the second center position is vacant with the Hurricanes and the team's head coach, Rod Brind'Amour, is intent on giving Kotkaniemi a chance.
Obviously, this is great news for the third overall pick in 2018, but he will have some competition at the team's training camp in September.
A certain Seth Jarvis will certainly be considered to become the Hurricanes' second center, who had a very good first NHL season with a 40-point performance in 68 games while adding three goals and five assists in the playoffs.