Prospect Info: Jesperi Kotkaniemi Part III

[Wats]

We have different evaluations of his play so far.


Not saying you're wrong but I have a different perspective.

Not saying he will but if for whatever reason he ends up being just another Eller, would this be a development fail or the player just never had the offensive ability?

The way I see it, people can't say he didn't have offensive ability if they didn't think he needed time to actually develop it.

 

[BB88]

I think we can both agree though that his play level doesn't scream we must keep him”.

It doesn't scream send him down either.

He's playing against the best and practising with the best players in the World.
His linemates are useless right now though.

 

[The Great Weal]

Hopefully Julien realizes that Armia shouldn't be his linemate by the time he is 25. This is getting hard to watch.

 

[417]

I think we can both agree though that his play level doesn't scream we must keep him”.

His play, to me, says he deserves to stay...

For now.

Re-evaluate game to game.

Tonight, did a lot of good things...could have easily scored, didn't make mistakes defensively.

He's not wowing anyone...but he also doesn't look like a 18yr old rookie. He's mature, composed, poised, doesn't ever look rattled.

This is good.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

It seems obvious that Armia and Kotkaniemi don't play the same way as the rest of the team. All other players are about skating hard and quick passes and go forward. Meanwhile Armia and Kotkaniemi prefer to slow down the play and hold the puck.

That being said Kotkaniemi show flashes of brillance and it's quite obvious he is not fully there yet as he seems overwhelmed by the speed.

 

[Canadienna]

It may sound crazy but I think you either send him down or give him top6 #1PP minutes. He's having the puck on his stick just a few times a game and usually making a decent play. If he still can't drive anything offensively then send him back before his 9 games are up.

Stop p***yfooting around with him and give him his shot.

 

[Kriss E]

His play, to me, says he deserves to stay...

For now.

Re-evaluate game to game.

Tonight, did a lot of good things...could have easily scored, didn't make mistakes defensively.

He's not wowing anyone...but he also doesn't look like a 18yr old rookie. He's mature, composed, poised, doesn't ever look rattled.

This is good.

I rather see him get 18min per game on top line in the A.

 

[26Mats]

I rather see him get 18min per game on top line in the A.

I'd like to see him without Armia first.

Drouin Kotkaniemi Domi

Drouin Kotkaniemi Hudon

Byron Kotkaniemi Hudon

Byron Kotkaniemi Lehkonen

Are some combos I'd like to see before sending him down.

 

[dinodebino]

I liked his play tonight, better than last game against Detroit. He controlled the play better and was sound defensively. That's what the coaching staff seems to ask him to do. And he had a glorious chance, that he created by himself.

TBH, his linemates were dreadful tonight. Specially in the D-Zone.

I undertand that he plays on the third line.

 

[Miller Time]

Sending herewith my back to Finland is the obvious move imo.

AHL would be #2

NHL is not where he belongs unless we're going to give him the linemates and ice time to compete in a top 6 role...

 

[montreal]

Thought he was better then last game but still not very good. He's not bad but it's more like he's just holding on, just getting by.

 

[417]

Thought he was better then last game but still not very good. He's not bad but it's more like he's just holding on, just getting by.

Jeez...tough crowd man

 

[Max2]

I think he's playing safe and playing not to make mistakes at this early stage of his career.As he starts to get more comfortable in the league, we'll slowly start seeing what he's capable of.We're getting brief flashes of this already.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

I think he's playing safe and playing not to make mistakes at this early stage of his career.As he starts to get more comfortable in the league, we'll slowly start seeing what he's capable of.We're getting brief flashes of this already.

Does he learn much by playing it safe? Production would be nice and in AHL he could try to do it in peace.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

I thought tonights showing bodes well for him sticking around. Last couple before he was pretty invisible and wasn't taking chances.

 

[Price4Prez]

I dont think hes there yet. He isnt costing us but he isnt producimg either.

Thing is, his issue is the speed the game is being played at but going to Laval or even worse,Finland,ismt going to help that.

He needs to stick around to get used to it

 

[ECWHSWI]

Hopefully Julien realizes that Armia shouldn't be his linemate by the time he is 25. This is getting hard to watch.

Julien is pretty slow to make changes usually, and he is 4-1-1 this season so far so... expect this line to stay the same for a while (although new asst coach may have an influence?)

 

[HabsDood]

I believe.. He'll stick around..

 

[koyvoo]

Agreed

 

[teamfirst]

I'd like to see him without Armia first.

Drouin Kotkaniemi Domi

Drouin Kotkaniemi Hudon

Byron Kotkaniemi Hudon

Byron Kotkaniemi Lehkonen

Are some combos I'd like to see before sending him down.

Pretty hard to break Danault or Domi's line right now, i'm sure the kid will have his chance.....long season, injury, slump....line changes all the time, but dont expect any changes for the next game that's for sure, and he is here to stay, just too good already

 

[Kaako Kappo]

Of course if the staff has told him to hone the defensive side of the game and not worry about production, then i understand keeping him up even if he is not scoring

 

[Garbox]

His line really can't keep the possession of the puck, it' 1 pass and gone.

He needs someone on his line who can actually do something with the puck right now.

I know. What's up with Armia? This is not what he used to show in Jets. He wasn't producing, but they usually had the possession in the opponent's zone. Lowry?

Kotkaniemi looked best of his line, was able to create something and gave some good passes to get the puck out of the crowd. That 2 on 1 though... it was in yesterdays news that he'll try that pass there.

And when he was on the PP with that mixed combo, some magig happened. Goal obviously, but the whole system with that group was better, they were moving the puck well and so on.

 

[Kojo]

I liked it when he was given PP time and did absolutely nothing. He's being used very well so far. As long as we are above average it's a better experience for him than playing in Laval or his team in Finland.

 

[Frank Drebin]

Thought he was better then last game but still not very good. He's not bad but it's more like he's just holding on, just getting by.

I get the feeling you don't care for the player?

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

I think the answer is blatantly obvious. Send him to Laval asap and let him figure out how to adapt his game to North American ice. If/when he turns the corner he still has a few games at the NHL level to try to implement his adaptations before a decision has to be made about keeping him and burning a year of his ELC.