When the rookie camp started last season, Kotkaniemi looked out of place like the rink was too small and the players were on him too fast but as the rookie tournament progressed, so did he. By the end of training camp, he was told that he could find a place to stay in Montreal as he had made the team. Unsurprisingly, KK was somewhat shielded in his first season, pivoting the Canadiens' third line and seeing on average 13 minutes and 44 seconds of action per game. By the time the season was over, he'd racked up 11 goals and 23 assists for 34 points which was a satisfying season for such a young man getting used to the North American game and playing centre will all the defensive responsibilities that it entails. Now, in case you forgot (like me I'll admit it...April seems like it was ages ago), Kotkaniemi had minor knee surgery at the end of the last campaign.
MEDICAL UPDATE: Jesperi Kotkaniemi underwent arthroscopic knee surgery.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 23, 2019
DETAILS âž¡ï¸ https://t.co/8Phv2D3LlZ#GoHabsGo
So, is there a sophomore jinx in Kotkaniemi's future? Hard to say really but there's at least one good thing about the Canadiens' season being over so early in April, Kotkaniemi will have had plenty of time to recover from surgery and should be A-OK by the start of camp. Where it gets interesting though is trying to figure out who will be playing alongside the youngster next season. Let's face it, while it was fun (for about half a second) to refer to the 3rd line as the "Finnish Line" since Lehkonen and Armia completed it, it soon became a reminder of their lack of finish so to speak. Think about it, if Kotkaniemi had played with players who could bury the sweet sweet dishes he was putting on his wingers' stick blade, he could have had heck of a lot more than 34 points. With Andrew Shaw gone, a right wing spot is open in the top 6 (let's not debate whether or not Shaw was a real top 6 please) it might very well mean that Armia will have to step up. Unless of course something else happens by the start of the season be it a trade, a signing or a prospect who bursts into the scene like a mad man...
While everyone in their mother in Montreal is hoping that Ryan Poehling will made the team this season, what would that mean for Kotkaniemi? If Poehling makes it, will Claude Julien and co. really be happy with playing him as a 4th line centre? One has to wonder if that couldn't end up being rather bad for his development. Playing in the NHL is something that has to be learnt and it has to be learnt by doing just that: playing. Not sitting on the bench watching the older guys get all the ice-time. So could it be that Poehling lands on the third with KK and that one of them is moved to the wing? It took so long for the Canadiens to have such promise down the middle that it would seem somewhat crazy to move on of those 2 on the wing. As for the top 2 centre positions, Domi proved last season that he can be a dependable centre and put up impressive numbers while Philip Danault managed to enter the Frank J. Selke trophy conversation. Would it be realistic to expect that KK could take either of their spot? I think it just might be too soon for that to be honest... Than again, with an abundance of prospects, you have to make rook for them.
Personally, I'm really hoping that Kotkaniemi is given all the appropriate chances to grow and take on a more important role with the team but for that to happen, he might need better wingers and sooner rather than later.
There it is! 🚨
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 1, 2018
Jesperi Kotkaniemi snipes ðŸ”-shelf for his first NHL goal. pic.twitter.com/9dXzqYQAL9
Who would you put Kotkaniemi next to? Can't wait for training camp to see how this will play out...