The Montreal Canadiens held a press conference this morning with general manager Marc Bergevin to discuss the loss of Jesperi Kotkaniemi and the subsequent acquisition of Christian Dvorak. Bergevin gave information on multiple aspects of the situation that had evolved over the past week, as well as some other pressing questions that Montreal’s offseason inferred. In terms of the Kotkaniemi negotiations, though, Bergevin mentioned that they were discussing a two-year bridge deal with the 21-year-old Finnish forward. While he didn’t mention any specific financial terms, it’s hard to believe that the total value of the contract would’ve eclipsed the $6.1MM he received from the Hurricanes, let alone the average annual value. A two-year bridge deal would still have left Kotkaniemi with two seasons of RFA eligibility, only taking him through his age 23 season.
More from today’s Habs press conference:
- Montreal’s roster is extremely unlikely to change before training camp, Bergevin admitted today. The statement doesn’t come as a surprise to many, as Montreal sits only $1.1MM away from the amount of which they’ll be able to exceed the salary cap’s Upper Limit when Paul Byron is removed from long-term injured reserve. Considering Montreal’s playoff hopes, salary cap flexibility at this year’s trade deadline will likely be of utmost importance to the squad. The team does still have five available contract slots, though, so signings for minor-league depth shouldn’t be completely ruled out just yet.
- Bergevin also confirmed today that the Montreal Canadiens won’t name an interim captain this season. Questions have been raised about the situation ever since it was announced that captain Shea Weber would miss the entire 2021-22 season (and potentially more) with injury. Brendan Gallagher and Paul Byron remain as alternate captains into the 2021-22 season, but the Canadiens are likely to name a third assistant and potentially fourth to compensate for Weber’s and Byron’s absences. Tyler Toffoli’s and Jeff Petry’s experience and leadership skills make them likely candidates for the titles.
Christian Dvorak’s arms should be tired from having to bring two large barrels of “cliché speak” to the presser today. I’m feeling sorry for the guy, already. Chin up, Bud! A new destination could await you by the time the Trade Deadline hits! Otherwise, you’ll have to seek out that restaurant sponsor that has the tasty lobster rolls. Nothing wipes the bad taste out from an awful game better than the old sea roach!
Why would you feel sorry for a kid that goes to a team that just played in the cup final? I think Dvorak could have a breakout season with the habs 60-70 is easily in his reach with the wingers the habs have, i looked at their projected forward lines and had to do a double take i wish my leafs had that deep of forward group. Take a look at their 4 lines and you can see why they did so well in the playoffs and this year they will score more goals
@Sillysundin – If you had heard him on Habs Lunch, you might have the same feeling as I had. And, to add insult to injury, he had just closed on a new house. That process can be a pain-in-the butt to get through, and there was probably some relief after it was settled. Also, maybe he looked a bit closer at the roster and said, “Crap, it could be a long year.” Even many of the Habs pundits believe that they would have no better than a 50-50 shot at even making the playoffs, based on that.
Dvorak 2 years older but distinctly more productive career vs career.
Interesting that it comes almost as a direct swap for Montreal (not quite they paid a bit more).
So it all comes down to for Koteniemi:
1) is there a handshake extension in place at something more reasonable than 6.1M
2) how much room does he have for development?
I’ve heard all the reasons he won’t be worth it, anyone have any reasons why he might be worth all the effort?
Kotkaniemi has all the tools … he is big and played a more physical game last year, he has a deceptively good wrist shot though he doesn’t used it as often as he should, he has great vision and a superior hockey IQ. His skating and positioning has improved every year.
His problem has been that the KK that I have described isn’t always the KK on the ice. He has been inconsistent though part of that inconsistency can be explained by the revolving door of wingers with whom he has played.
He does have one weakness that he has yet to address successfully… his positioning in the defensive zone. But he will be playing wing at the beginning of the season, so he won’t need to carry the same kind of D-zone responsibilities as when he plays centre.
If all goes well for KK he will be a 2C with 20+ goals and 55 to 60 points two or three years from now.
He will have to improve his skating and balance the guy is on his back as much as his skates, he also waits to long to shoot or move the puck. This year could be the most he ever makes in the nhl he is a 3rd liner weak 2nd liner