Jesperi Kotkaniemi has been in Carolina for three years. In the summer of 2021, the Hurricanes signed him away from Montreal with an offer sheet, seeking revenge for Sebastian Aho’s offer sheet, while also hoping to revitalize his career.
We clearly still believed in his potential, and it was a great opportunity to get a potential center for the team’s top-6.
Despite a slow start, the club gave him an eight-year contract that started in 2022-23. However, since then, KK has stagnated, leading the Hurricanes to question the deal.
Paying $4.82 million per year through 2030 for a guy who doesn’t deliver on a top-6 finish when you’re a contender team hurts.
You might think the Hurricanes wouldn’t mind getting out of this contract… and in a recent article for The Athletic, Eric Duhatschek spoke regarding the situation of the Canes, stating:
Personally, I would try to trade Jesperi Kotkaniemi to the Flames. – Eric Duhatschek
Next round of NHL expansion, Jacob Markstrom vs. Linus Ullmark and more: Duhatschek mailbag ⤵️
— The Athletic NHL (@TheAthleticNHL) July 12, 2024
The journalist notes that he believes KK needs a change of scenery or more playing time. The Flames, needing help at center and having more projected cap space than any other team, might be a good fit.
If there’s one team that can take that gamble right now, it’s probably the Flames… but they still have to be willing to do it.
Even if the Flames believe in the Finn’s potential, the Hurricanes would likely have to offer Calgary something substantial to entice them to take on Kotkaniemi’s contract. It’s a significant financial commitment (six years at nearly $5 million per year) for a player who, at 24, hasn’t yet proven he deserves it.
This would be a complex trade, but considering the Canes need to re-sign Seth Jarvis, Martin Necas and Jack Drury this summer, and with just under $12 million in cap space, getting rid of Kotkaniemi’s contract would improve their financial flexibility.
Now it remains to be seen whether they can convince the Flames (or another team) to take the gamble.
A lot of
– Victor Söderström might change his address.
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) July 14, 2024
– Bogdan Konyushkov, a theater lover.
Habs prospect Bogdan Konyushkov, the 21 year old captain of KHL’s Torpedo, is a really interesting young man. pic.twitter.com/mFbJnxKZlB
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– Good reading.
— Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) July 14, 2024
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Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s Contract: A Headache For the Carolina Hurricanes?
The Carolina Hurricanes are likely starting to regret the eight-year, $4.82 million per year contract they gave Jesperi Kotkaniemi back in 2022.
The Hurricanes signed Kotkaniemi to a hostile offer sheet in 2021, hoping to revive his career and secure a potential top-six center. While Kotkaniemi hasn’t been a complete bust, he hasn’t lived up to expectations.
"We clearly still believed in his potential, and it was a great opportunity to get a potential center for the team’s top-6," a Hurricanes official stated at the time of the contract signing. However, Kotkaniemi’s sluggish performance has led to questions surrounding his long-term viability with the team.
"Paying $4.82 million per year through 2030 for a guy who doesn’t deliver on a top-6 finish when you’re a contender team hurts," one fan commented on a message board.
The Hurricanes are facing a tough situation. They’re committed to Kotkaniemi for another six years, and his contract carries a hefty price tag. This commitment comes at a time when the team needs to negotiate new contracts with key players like Seth Jarvis, Martin Necas, and Jack Drury.
"They must find a way to come to terms with Seth Jarvis, Martin Necas and Jack Drury this summer," another fan commented.
The Hurricanes have just under $12 million in cap space, and getting rid of Kotkaniemi’s contract would provide much-needed financial flexibility.
There are several factors that might lead to Kotkaniemi’s departure from Carolina.
Could the Flames be a Potential Landing Spot?
In a recent article for The Athletic, Eric Duhatschek suggested that the Calgary Flames might be interested in acquiring Kotkaniemi.
Duhatschek wrote: "Personally, I would try to trade Jesperi Kotkaniemi to the Flames."
The Flames are in need of a center, and they are projected to have the most cap space in the league. They might be willing to take a gamble on Kotkaniemi, hoping he can regain his potential in a new environment.
However, the Hurricanes would likely have to sweeten the deal to entice the Flames to take on Kotkaniemi’s contract, a significant financial commitment. They would likely need to offer valuable assets, making the entire transaction complex.
"If there’s one team that can take that gamble right now, it’s probably the Flames… but they still have to be willing to do it," concluded one observer.
Other Potential Destinations?
While the Flames seem like a logical fit, other teams might be interested in acquiring Kotkaniemi. Teams with cap space and a need for a center might see Kotkaniemi as a potential value pick.
The Bottom Line
The Carolina Hurricanes are in a tough spot with Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s contract. While they’ve invested heavily in him, his performance hasn’t met expectations. The team needs to find a way to manage his contract, which might involve potential trade scenarios.
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Kotkaniemi in Carolina, but the Hurricanes are in a difficult situation that requires a creative solution.
