Kotkaniemi is involved in a big trade rumor: his days are numbered as the Hurricanes' second center

PUBLICATION

MarcO
November 16, 2022 (10:41 PM)

SHARE THIS STORY

We've been talking about it for the past few hours, but it's pretty clear that former Montreal Canadiens prospect Jesperi Kotkaniemi is not delivering the goods with the Carolina Hurricanes.

He is disappointing a lot, unfortunately.

After signing an eight-year, nearly $40 million contract with the Canes, Kotkaniemi was immediately placed on the second line in Carolina at the start of the season.

His mandate was clear: replace Vincent Trocheck, who left the Hurricanes last summer to join the New York Rangers.

How does he amass only 3 points?

This season, it's almost impressive to realize just how little Kotkaniemi is producing, despite his own trio's stellar seasons as one of the NHL's top scorers.

Kotkaniemi has a very weak three points in 16 games this season on the Hurricanes' second line, while his wingers are on fire.

- Martin Necas: 19 points in 16 games
- Andrei Svechnikov: 18 points in 16 games.

You can tell he's still young, but at the same time, he's passed the 250-game mark in the NHL. He's going to have to start improving at some point.

Kotkaniemi already sacrificed?

As reported by TSN's Mike Johnson, "the Carolina Hurricanes want to win the Stanley Cup this season, and their second line center, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, really isn't living up to their expectations offensively, and he's not replacing Vincent Trocheck. [...] Adding another scorer, to replace Kotkaniemi, could really help the Canes offensively. [...] "

The name being targeted here by the Hurricanes would be Bo Horvat of the Vancouver Canucks. According to Craig Button (TSN), it would be downright over for Horvat in Vancouver.

Horvat, 27, has amassed a very solid 14 goals, and 20 points, in just 17 games this season. He would be a great second center for Carolina, and a worthy second center for a Stanley Cup contending team.

Some even suggest that Kotkaniemi could be involved in a trade with the Canucks for Bo Horvat! If it happens, it's clear that the Hurricanes will have to add quite a bit.

In any case, Kotkaniemi's minutes seem to be counted as the Canes' second center. It's definitely not ideal for the young Finn, and it's probably not the scenario he had imagined after signing his hostile offer.