The Carolina Hurricanes appear to be wanting to make slight improvements to their hockey club prior to the NHL deadline. Earlier this week we talked about Andrei Svechnikov possibly needing a change in scenery. However, one player who is also likely to be moved is centre Jesperi Kotkaniemi of Pori, Finland.
Not meeting expectations in Carolina
There is no doubt that Kotkaniemi is falling out of favour of the Hurricanes’s coaching staff. Lately, he has only been on the Carolina fourth line. According to Rob Couch of nhltraderumors, the fourth line minutes are “deservingly so for what he’s done.” Which is simply not much.
How bad has it been for Kotkaniemi?
The Finnish forward only has two points since November 9! Of his last 17 games, Kotkaniemi does not have a point in 15 of them. Kotkaniemi’s latest point, and only point since December 20 came in garbage time. Kotkaniemi was used on the ice when the Hurricanes were leading the Florida Panthers by a converted touchdown, 8-1, on January 16. Kotkaniemi helped set up Eric Robinson of Bellmawr, New Jersey with a goal that meant absolutely nothing in the grand scheme of things. Kotkaniemi’s assist came with one minute and 25 seconds left in the third period.
Kotkaniemi’s underachieving statistics
Kotkaniemi only has two goals and five assists for seven points in 29 games. He has a zero plus/minus rating, eight penalty minutes, 31 shots on goal, 95 faceoff wins, 13 blocked shots, 48 hits, two takeaways, and 19 giveaways.
Kotkaniemi has not had a takeaway in his last 26 games as his two takeaways came in the first three Hurricanes games of the season. The first came in a 6-3 Hurricanes’s win over the New Jersey Devils on October 9, and the second came in a 4-3 Hurricanes overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings on October 18.
What team is interested in Kotkaniemi?
The answer is the Minnesota Wild. Minnesota is interested in improving their offense. At the present time, Matt Boldy is out week-to-week with a lower body injury. Even though Kotkamiemi has been rumored to being traded to the Wild, there is a genuine concern that he will not provide too much of an offensive improvement because of the offensive struggles he has had.
Kotkaniemi’s contract status
After this season, Kotkaniemi has four years left on his contract where he is making $4.82 million per season.
Leading the Metropolitan Division
The Hurricanes improved to a record of 31 wins, 15 regulation losses and five losses in extra time for 67 points. They have the most points in the Eastern Conference.
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