Jesperi Kotkaniemi– Centreman – 6’2 190lbs – 17 Years Old - à„ssà¤t in the SM-liiga – 10gp 3g 4a 7p
After years of producing top goalies and seemingly nothing else, somebody taught the Finns how to score and they’re coming in bunches. Joining the Laine’s/Puljujarvi’s/Tolvanen’s/Vesalainen’s/Aho’s/Rantanen’s is Kotkaniemi in what I can only assume is a Finnish ploy to piss every announcer off as they suffer through sounds no human should make. Kotkaniemi is a player to watch as he has been steadily climbing the draft with strong play including a very impressive display at the Ivan Hlinka. He showed his two-way ability and a strong dedication to a 200 foot game. In the 2 games I saw him play he was easily Finland’s best player. He dominated the puck and was three steps ahead of plays, especially in his own zone. He just knew where to be to break up plays with his stick.
Last season for the Silver Winning Finns he anchored the second line at the U18’s. While older players were given more offensive opportunities, Kotkaniemi was used a lot on the penalty kill despite being 16. Every coach he plays for seems to trust him intrinsically. This includes this season where despite his age, he has found his way centering the top line for à„ssà¤t and has thrived. This is the first time I’ve seen a 17 year old centering a top line in the SM-liiga since Aleksandr Barkov. Which is nice company to be in. Of players under 18, the scoring race isn’t even close. Kotkaniemi’s 7 points outstrips Rasmus Kupari’s 1 goal. Kupari is oddly enough ranked higher than Kotkaniemi going into the year despite being outplayed at every turn. Though Kotkaniemi definitely doesn’t have the pure pace that Kupari has.
This is a player to watch, especially if he continues to play on the top line. He’s on pace to have one of the better under 18 years in SM-liiga history. Not as good as Barkov or Granlund, but on par with Laine (playoffs aside) and ahead of Puljujarvi.
At the NHL level, I think Kotkaniemi can be an effective two-way centre that plays a smart and simple game. He has that simple scoring style that is so effective in the NHL as opposed to the “showy… skills that can only be translated by the most special of players. Will he be a top line superstar? Highly doubtful, but I do see him as the type of player that can complement and enhance a top line. While he’s ranked anywhere from 15-35 right now, I expect him to push his way into the top-10 by the time the draft rolls around.
NHL Comparable : David Krejci