The Carolina Hurricanes are reportedly considering trade offers for center Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported this morning.
According to Friedman, the Hurricanes “recognize [Kotkaniemi] needs a fresh start” and are considering trade offers for the 25-year-old pivot at this time. 
He also added that he believes “there is legit interest” in Kotkaniemi, and that the Hurricanes already included Kotkaniemi in their trade talks for Quinn Hughes and Phillip Danault, who were ultimately dealt to the Minnesota Wild and Montreal Canadiens, respectively.
Kotkaniemi, the No. 3 pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, has had an up-and-down pro career and his time in Carolina has been no different. At times, the 6’3″ center has flashed the kind of coveted attributes that made him a top prospect in the first place, but finding consistency has been a massive issue.
Kotkaniemi had a strong 34-point season as an 18-year-old rookie in Montreal, but his inability to build on that campaign and live up to the pressure of being such a high draft choice ultimately led to his exit from the Canadiens. He left Montreal via an offer sheet from Carolina.
The offer sheet, seen by many as retribution for the Canadiens’ own offer sheet of Hurricanes star Sebastian Aho (a characterization the Hurricanes strongly denied, to be clear), was followed up by an eight-year, $4.82MM contract extension. Kotkaniemi has four years remaining after this one on that deal.
There were times in his tenure in Carolina that Kotkaniemi looked to be becoming the quality middle-six two-way pivot he was long projected to be. He scored 18 goals and 43 points in 2022-23, and added seven points in 15 playoff games. But ultimately, that season stands as a career-high, and Kotkaniemi proved unable to seize on the repeated opportunities he was provided to become Carolina’s trusted No. 2 center behind Aho.
After scoring 33 points last season, Kotkaniemi is on pace for a career-low level of offensive production. His six points in 25 games this season give him a 20-point 82-game scoring pace, though it’s worth noting he has missed some time with injuries. Kotkaniemi is averaging 11:08 time on ice per game this season without any regular special teams usage.
Given his inconsistency and inability to seize his opportunity in Carolina, it’s fair to question whether the Hurricanes will be able to receive a significant return in a Kotkaniemi trade. On one hand, he doesn’t appear to be a player worth a huge amount, especially with four additional years left on his deal at a $4.82MM AAV.
But on the other hand, there are reasons to believe Kotkaniemi, for all of his flaws, remains a coveted asset. For one, the supply of available centers on the market is extremely low, something Philadelphia Flyers GM Danny Briere confirmed after signing center Christian Dvorak to a recent extension. As a result, a team in need of a center might not have many superior options available than Kotkaniemi.
Additionally, to some, Kotkaniemi’s contract might be seen as a negative, or even a deal breaker. To others, they might see it as an opportunity. If Kotkaniemi could simply get back to his level of play from 2022-23, for example, he would be providing surplus value on that cap hit with team control until the end of the decade. If a team truly believes its staff can get the most out of Kotkaniemi, the chance to have him under control at that rate would be a positive, not a negative.
At this point, we can only speculate as to what that all means for the Hurricanes’ current efforts to trade Kotkaniemi. One thing is clear, though: the 2018 No. 3 pick is looking increasingly likely to continue his career, at some point in the near future, with another franchise.
Photos courtesy of Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Most expensive troll tweet ever?
Worth it.
Flyers should be calling and offering Luchanko and a second
Ew, no.
Carolina will probably find a trade partner for Jesperi Kotkaniemi despite the contract. He’s only 25 which means he still has some time to still grow his game a bit more and he’s a center which a lot of teams are craving for. Under the right coaching staff and the cast around him, he could find his consistency in his game and his place as player which seems to be suited as 3rd or 4th liner.
The guy’s played 500 NHL games already, and only once has he bettered third-line production. The only “consistency” he’s shown is mediocrity. I agree that *some* sucker will overpay for what he brings to the table, but it’s pretty clear that Kotkaniemi’s proven that bottom-six is his ceiling.
But hey, as long as a team I don’t give a damn about deals for him, no worries.
I said he’s a 3rd or 4th liner. I’m not saying he’s going to be breakout star or anything by any means. But sometimes under the right system and coaching, he could turn to be an adequate bottom six depth piece for a team. Who will pick him up, I don’t know but maybe Boston can pick him up 😉 haha
Maybe to the blues? For schenn or faulk with other pieces or picks involved on either side to make it work? Blues are wanting to get younger and schenn would be good for carolina
Canes need a Center. Would be good in a multi player package deal for Thomas.
I’m also shopping my clogged toilet. Any takers?
Calgary
Nazem Kadri
for
Carolina
Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Are you aware that both teams must agree to the terms of any trade?
Found Jesperi’s alt
No. Kadri wouldn’t work well in Rod Brind’amour’s system. Rod requires good responsible defense from his forwards.
Kotkaniemi for Linus Ullmark.
If your team doesn’t have a center prospect equal to Kotkaniemi, you need to go into a full rebuild.
A trade for another underachiever would be a natural resolution. Huberdeau comes to mind. The Flames will need to retain and they do have a slot. Expect him to wave his NMC for a chance to revive his career on a better team.
Even if Calgary retains 50%, he’s still a $5 million player for the next 5 years. No thanks.
Great guy and it seems his teammates love him. Problem is: he can’t play. Well, he can, but he’s a nice checking line guy, not an almost $5 million a year player. I’m not sure they can unload this contract, but if they can, I’d jump at it, especially if you didn’t have to take a bad deal back in return.
I dunno, 20 goal guy who plays a 200ft game? I’d take him, especially considering some of the contracts out there.
Dallas needs to expand the Finnish Mafia
Plenty of space with Seguin out. Doubt they’ll be able to put together a move to Boeser or someone that plays a similar righty shot role.
I mean similar to Seguin, not KK. If we can’t get a replacement for a Seguin type, spend some money for KK and add some defense and depth.
Ryan Graves for Kotkaniemi, who says no?
I think I might keep Graves for once.
Canes dont need another lefty 7D.