The worst is confirmed for Kotkaniemi as he gets heavily demoted
The worst has just been confirmed for the former Montreal Canadien Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
For the past few months, he had to settle for his small role as a fourth-line center, but now, he has even lost that position.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi just received another slap in the face from the Canes and he has officially lost his position as the center of the fourth line
In the last few hours, the Hurricanes have announced a change to their lineup:
Martinook - Kuznetsov - Necas
Svechnikov - Staal - Teravainen
Kotkaniemi - Drury - Noesen
Slavin - Burns
Skjei - Pesce
Orlov - Chatfield
Andersen»
- Via journalist Walt Ruff
Kotkaniemi is now essentially being used as the 12th or 13th forward in Carolina. He is their least used forward at the moment.
For $4.82 million per year until 2030, it's going to cost them a lot.
And the owner of the Hurricanes, Tom Dundon, is really not the type to enjoy overpaying his players, so we can definitely expect a big decision in this matter by this summer.
I would not be surprised if the Hurricanes trade a 1st round pick to a club that would take Jesperi Kotkaniemi's contract.
In the last few games, see KK's usage:
- 9 minutes 35
- 9 minutes 10
- 9 minutes 39
- 9 minutes 30
He has 9 points in his last 52 games. Ouch.
The least we can say is that it's a decision that's really not aging well for the Hurricanes.
If they could trade Jesperi Kotkaniemi for Ryan Poehling, I'm pretty sure they would do it.
| POLL | ||
Would you trade Jake Evans for Jesperi Kotkaniemi? | ||
| Yes | 66 | 14.3 % |
| No | 394 | 85.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
