Player Discussion Jesperi Kotkaniemi - Part 10

[DAChampion]

Given the Covid-19 outbreak, Kotkaniemi might be better off playing next season in Finland. There's a lot of variables so it's hard to be sure, but it might be the most sensible choice. That would be quite the reversal from expectations lol.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Given the Covid-19 outbreak, Kotkaniemi might be better off playing next season in Finland. There's a lot of variables so it's hard to be sure, but it might be the most sensible choice. That would be quite the reversal from expectations lol.

Very possible.

But that's a question we can ask for every player. Kind of like during the 2012 lockout. Players went to play in Europe and returned once the NHL started again. So I can see certain players go that route. Especially those that haven't played in a long time.

I also think that they will wait and see what the decision will be with the AHL. Will they start on time or possibly delayed just weeks or a month only, effectively starting November? I would expect the kids will be sent there to play (Kotkaniemi, Romanov, maybe Suzuki (?)).

 

[HallOfGreatness4]

Given the Covid-19 outbreak, Kotkaniemi might be better off playing next season in Finland. There's a lot of variables so it's hard to be sure, but it might be the most sensible choice. That would be quite the reversal from expectations lol.

Uh, what? No. Why?

 

[DAChampion]

Uh, what? No. Why?

Because the rate of death due to coronavirus there is currently six times lower than in North America, and they're more likely to keep it under control.

There's thus a possibility that more games will be played in the FEL, perhaps a lot more games. The AHL might not even play at all next year.

 

[Big Empty]

KK at practice. He’s nice.

 

[Skip Bayless]

KK at practice. He’s nice.

Definitely looks buffer

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Definitely looks bigger. If Romanov is a no go, I’ll be most paying attention to KK during the play-in. Him becoming a true 1C is the most important thing for this franchise right now (other than winning the first pick).

 

[OldCraig71]

Definitely looks bigger. If Romanov is a no go, I’ll be most paying attention to KK during the play-in. Him becoming a true 1C is the most important thing for this franchise right now (other than winning the first pick).

That is definitely the most important thing to happen to this franchise in a very long time. KK is a project, it's going to take some seasoning before he is a solid contributor to this team.

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[Supersonic]

That is definitely the most important thing to happen to this franchise in a very long time. KK is a project, it's going to take some seasoning before he is a solid contributor to this team.

Why not have KK slowly become a #1 and he gets Laffy on his LW

Best case scenario IMO is if Romanov plays, that him, Suzuki and KK all play well and we still lose.

 

[OldCraig71]

Why not have KK slowly become a #1 and he gets Laffy on his LW

Best case scenario IMO is if Romanov plays, that him, Suzuki and KK all play well and we still lose.

If we get Lafreniere and we do the right thing we will have him centered by Suzuki who seems to be a more advanced player than KK right now. We could still use Danault/Gallagher/Tatar as our first line to give the kids more favorable matchups on line 2. KK is third line duty for me and there is also Domi but I suspect that he could be the odd man out.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Its already confirmed Romanov has no chance of playing.
The only hope now is that they allow him to participate in training camp.

 

[AlexGretzchenvid]

Definitely looks buffer

Why does Montreal always draft high in poor draft years!?

this guy is going to be lucky to hit 60 points consecutively. For the 2nd 3rd overall pick in a row we can even find a ticking PPG player or shutdown Defenceman..

that’s on this management.

 

[AlexGretzchenvid]

Its already confirmed Romanov has no chance of playing.
The only hope now is that they allow him to participate in training camp.

Hope for what!?

 

[AlexGretzchenvid]

If we get Lafreniere and we do the right thing we will have him centered by Suzuki who seems to be a more advanced player than KK right now. We could still use Danault/Gallagher/Tatar as our first line to give the kids more favorable matchups on line 2. KK is third line duty for me and there is also Domi but I suspect that he could be the odd man out.

Suzuki also player 3 full years of junior plus playoffs, plus rookie camps, etc etc.. kotka, a year younger literally just came out of diapers when Suzuki was hitting his stride.

 

[AlexGretzchenvid]

Why not have KK slowly become a #1 and he gets Laffy on his LW

Best case scenario IMO is if Romanov plays, that him, Suzuki and KK all play well and we still lose.

When will the insanity end

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Hope for what!?

So he can train, practice, and get familar with the team for a few weeks.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Definitely looks bigger. If Romanov is a no go, I’ll be most paying attention to KK during the play-in. Him becoming a true 1C is the most important thing for this franchise right now (other than winning the first pick).

I would love to see him become a 1C, but as long as he is a 2C, we should be fine seeing as I truly think Suzuki is on his way to being a 1C.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

I would love to see him become a 1C, but as long as he is a 2C, we should be fine seeing as I truly think Suzuki is on his way to being a 1C.

I’m with you on Suzuki. Those two are gonna be our 1-2 punch down the middle in a few years- but would definitely be nice if they could be a 1A-1B instead.

 

[WeThreeKings]

I’m with you on Suzuki. Those two are gonna be our 1-2 punch down the middle in a few years- but would definitely be nice if they could be a 1A-1B instead.

Definitely, with Suzuki's progression though it definitely takes some of the importance off Kotkaniemi needing to be a 1C for us. Need him to be 2C good and anything above that is gravy.

 

[Naslund]

If we get Lafreniere and we do the right thing we will have him centered by Suzuki who seems to be a more advanced player than KK right now. We could still use Danault/Gallagher/Tatar as our first line to give the kids more favorable matchups on line 2. KK is third line duty for me and there is also Domi but I suspect that he could be the odd man out.

In the near future...
Domi-Danault-Gallagher
Lafreniere-Suzuki-Drouin
Lehkonen-KK-Armia
Byron-Poehling-Ylonen

 

[Scriptor]

Definitely looks bigger. If Romanov is a no go, I’ll be most paying attention to KK during the play-in. Him becoming a true 1C is the most important thing for this franchise right now (other than winning the first pick).

You mean, winning his LW

 

[Habs Halifax]

That is definitely the most important thing to happen to this franchise in a very long time. KK is a project, it's going to take some seasoning before he is a solid contributor to this team.

Agreed. We drafted him as a long term prospect and it remains that way. Needs to stay hungry and keep working hard while he matures and gains experience. I actually hope he don't bust out next year so we can bridge him on a cheap contract for 2 or 3 years then he bust out in that span.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I’m with you on Suzuki. Those two are gonna be our 1-2 punch down the middle in a few years- but would definitely be nice if they could be a 1A-1B instead.

Probably going to be three 2A's but each of them play different roles. Suzuki, Kotkaniemi, Danault. I really do like the strategy of rolling three 2nd line qualities. Great for match-ups and I think the salary is balanced out with our cap space.

 

[Supersonic]

When will the insanity end

The insanity that people think we have a shot at beating the Penguins? Or us clinging onto a fleeting hope that we have a marginal chance at Lafreniere?