Contract buyout and return to Finland for Kotkaniemi? New developments

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Elias Edmonson
April 25, 2024 (7:47 PM)

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The former Habs forward, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, had a very tough season on Martin Necas' line with the Carolina Hurricanes.

We've talked a lot about it, maybe even too much, but let's just say it was an interesting case to follow, especially considering how arrogant the Hurricanes were towards Habs fans after signing the offer sheet with Kotkaniemi.

They were very proud of their move.

A contract buyout and a return to Finland for Jesperi Kotkaniemi this summer?

Unfortunately for them, it's starting to hurt.

Kotkaniemi takes up a lot of space on the payroll of this aspiring team, and he does almost nothing on the ice.

He never became the player we thought he would. He could follow in the footsteps of Jesse Puljujarvi, a former 4th overall pick.

Kotkaniemi, who earns $4.82M until the end of the 2029-2030 season, has only gathered a meager 9 points in his last 52 games.

Ouch.

Clearly, the Hurricanes will have a big decision to make about him this summer, and according to Simon Boisvert, the next option for him is literally to go back to playing in Finland.

This would obviously be preceded by a contract buyout.

«Boisvert explains that the Hurricanes could buy out his contract because before age 26, NHL teams have the right to buy out a player at one-third of his value." - Marc-Olivier Cook

Interesting!

KK's contract would therefore be very easy to buy out in Carolina.

« But Snake also stated that KK might spend some time in the American League before thinking about Finland... Because he doesn't see another club giving him $2 million per season to play on a fourth line. » - Marc-Olivier Cook

A case to follow, then! To think that he was drafted before Brady Tkachuk and Quinn Hughes...

Credit : DansLesCoulisses - Simon Boisvert: « La prochaine étape pour Kotkaniemi, c'est la Finlande! »