montreal
Go Habs Go
yea i've noticed he's hard to knock off the puck, which is great to see from a Hab prospect for a change. Also was really impressed with his shot, hope he uses it more.
Prospect Info: Jesperi Kotkaniemi (1st round pick, 3OA 2018 - signed ELC) - Post-development camp edition
- Thread starter Treb
- Start date
- Status
yea i've noticed he's hard to knock off the puck, which is great to see from a Hab prospect for a change. Also was really impressed with his shot, hope he uses it more.
Habs Halifax
Loyal Habs Fan
Kotkaniemi is on record at saying he needs to use his shot more. Poehling as well. Will be interesting to watch these two develop in the next year or two. Both are true centers with goal scoring ability and size. Love it!
Habs Halifax
Loyal Habs Fan
Agreed. A very good pick by the Habs. We got a top 2 center with upside to potentially be a #1C. Will he be elite level? Who knows. All we know today is this kid has a lot of tools in his tool belt. Next major evaluation is how he plays at the World Juniors against the best 18 and 19 year olds in the world.
PavelBrendl
Registered User
- Jul 9, 2013
- 2,047
- 4,058
Not only that, but he really drives/generates offence which is very, very encouraging considering that the Habs currently ice almost an entire roster of complementary players. They haven't had a C that can do that since Koivu.
montreal
Go Habs Go
that's something that Poehling does as well, drives the offense, so it's nice to finally have 2 quality center prospects with size and skill.
Redux91
I do Three bullets.
He was drafted by an NHL team and signed an NHL entry level contract, of course he will be at camp while his season in finland started, this happens all the time its very normal
plus missing games because of the WJC thats why kids like him always have lower GP totals compared to players on the rest of the team
- Aug 21, 2016
- 10,202
- 13,320
He got a lower body injury at the u18 wjc against CZE, probably a knee strain, what looked really bad at first, but came back for the final games where he looked great.. probably the reason why he was wearing a brace at the rookie camp..
HockeyDBspecialist
Habs 2019 cup champ
it's character***
I also think he would do better with the farm school in the AHL, now the development team looks really competent.
Habs
We should have drafted Michkov
- Feb 28, 2002
- 21,347
- 14,936
I don't think 17-18yr olds belong in the AHL, and I never will. Keep them in Jr, or if they are that good keep them on the big club. Don't you have to be 20 to play in the AHL anyways?
HockeyDBspecialist
Habs 2019 cup champ
some youngsters develop better in the AHL, that's why the red wings developed the prospects in the AHL for a long time with babcock.
You develop the kid until he dominate the team and when he dominates you rank him up in the next league, repeat that constantly. until he arrives in the NHL
Habs
We should have drafted Michkov
- Feb 28, 2002
- 21,347
- 14,936
Again, you have to be 20 to play in the AHL unless the rules have changed.
Mrb1p
PRICERSTOPDAPUCK
If you played CHL, otherwise no.
Angler
Registered User
- Apr 23, 2017
- 307
- 510
I think that its a good idea to leave him in Finland for a year. He's still young and its probably best to be near home. He will also get more ice time and as others mentioned, he will get more time off to hit the gym. The Habs won't burn a contract year and he will still be playing against men. The AHL wouldn't be the end of the world, but I think one more year in Finland is the best decision.
Habs
We should have drafted Michkov
- Feb 28, 2002
- 21,347
- 14,936
Yeah, I guess... I just can't remember when was the last time it happened with this franchise...
HockeyDBspecialist
Habs 2019 cup champ
montreal
Go Habs Go
You have to turn 18 by Sep 15th to play in the AHL for all players. Then there's the CHL rule for players drafted out of the CHL, they have to turn 20 before Jan 1st or have 4 full seasons in the CHL.
THE HOFF
Registered User
- Sep 26, 2007
- 4,767
- 1,083
His shot is good so is his release... I'm confident once he plays in north america its going to be a natural progression in his game. (To shoot more)
dackelljuneaubulis02
Registered User
- Oct 13, 2012
- 11,577
- 6,911
I feel like balance at times is an issue with him.
Really like the tools. The skills aren't jaw-dropping but coupled with the smarts and the frame and he could still be a force. Nice mitts every now and then. Really hope he takes some big leaps next year.
Really like the tools. The skills aren't jaw-dropping but coupled with the smarts and the frame and he could still be a force. Nice mitts every now and then. Really hope he takes some big leaps next year.
I loved his quick read at 3:40 after his teammate blocked the shot on PK. His teammate was about to skate on his regular wing but Kotkaniemi quickly shuffles in that direction making his teammate shift to his off wing. Now both players have a much better shooting / passing lane and Kotkaniemi freezes the goalie before dishing it off for the empty net shot.
Yeah this capped off a very solid night lining up against US' top line of Hughes-Wahlstrom.
There's a lot of details to Jesperi's game and that play is a good example. Certain hurrdurrs around here were all ''so what? it's just a 2 on 1.'' Yes. It was a perfectly executed 2 on 1. Jesperi not only makes the quick read putting himself and Nordgren on their off wings as you say, but look at how wide Jesperi gets. He's outside the dots until the very last second. Spencer has to square up to Jesperi but due to Jepu's position, Nordgren is looking at nothing but net. Finally, he holds until the very last second which makes the save essentially impossible.
Exactly which is why I thought the idea of him playing there over Finland could be interesting. Guess not everyone agrees.
Mdamico
Registered User
- Dec 29, 2006
- 468
- 510
On top of him being eligible for AHL play, his contract slides if he plays in the AHL. Because he signed a contract with the Habs before he turned 20 (or 18 for that matter lol), Kotkaniemi could play two full years in the AHL (he won't) and his ELC still wouldn't kick in unless he played a total of 10 games in one season for the Habs.
I find this to be extremely interesting from a developmental perspective, as the Habs could call him up for a few games and send him down after even hungrier then before. Or he can spend the whole season in Laval and finish the last 9 games in MTL without it affecting his contract. Lots of options, but I tend to trust a guy like Bouchard or Kotkaniemi Sr. to properly develop Jesperi.
- Status
