The Montreal Canadiens now have a crucial mission concerning Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield
Now that Jesperi Kotkaniemi is gone and a ton of first round picks from the past few years are under other skies, the Habs need to make sure that Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and other developing first round picks don't come to the same conclusion as KK, which is poor developmental management. I'm not saying that's the treatment Kotkaniemi got, but that's the rhetoric he gave following his trade.
On the other hand, as Arpon Basu wisely pointed out in one of his posts, it doesn't necessarily matter what Kotkaniemi thinks of his trade, but the CH needs to make sure that the exceptional guys like Suzuki and Caufield don't come to think that way either. Let's not forget that the three youngsters were very close during the playoffs, as they are about the same age. They talk to each other and KK has most likely confided in them.
"Jesperi Kotkaniemi's perception of his development is a problem that the Habs need to solve immediately!" -Arpon Basu
KK didn't pour a ton of bile (but he did pour some) on the Montreal organization following his departure, he chose his words well, but we remembered his answer about his development: "It could have been better!"
Not surprisingly, KK was eager to officially sign his one-year, $6.1 million deal with the Hurricanes. He couldn't wait to join them and he never hid that desire to join this team, repeatedly indicating in his little media scrum that he was really EXCITED.
All in all, yes, Marc Bergevin managed the situation well under the circumstances, but he must also make the following observation: analyze if he and his group didn't miss something in the management of the development of the organization's prospects. He needs to take a good look in the mirror to make sure he doesn't miss the boat with Suzuki, who he needs to sign as soon as January 2022, and Caufield.
