Player Discussion Jesperi Kotkaniemi (Part VIII) - Pretty Mintniemi Edition

[Habs Halifax]

But is he scratched because he's being outperformed? Or is Weal a better player than him? I don't think so. You don't really scratch guys based on practice unless they are on the bubble and mailing it in. Julien said "fatigue" but KK yesterday said he wasn't tired.

Or is he being scratched because of service time and a coach who has historically leaned on veterans during tough times (even to a fault)? I can't count how many times this year he's taken KK out of a key faceoff situation only to have the vet he replaced him with get beat and then we get scored on.

Is making the playoffs and probably getting obliterated by Tampa worth any gaps in KK's development? That's the worry. It's easy to say "he's played a lot, this will be good for him" but we don't know him or how he reacts and he's had a year and a half straight of virtually no setbacks. Sitting him for the most important stretch of our season for an inferior player isn't good.

All we know is what we are being told by Julien which could be the truth or not.

 

[Not The One]

All we know is what we are being told by Julien which could be the truth or not.

Talk about creating drama.

What's easier to believe :

A) They want to rest the youngest player in the league so he doesn't get burned out.

B) This is a punishment for *something* that they don't want us to know about.

C) Julien think Weal is a better player than KK.

 

[Kotkaniemi15]

Can't agree more. It's been a long time since i've been THAT hyped about a prospect. Thanks for the resume pal !

No problem man

 

[Schwang]

I know, it may be a good acquisition, but why hes getting reps instead of Kotkaniemi is beyond me. He needs to play.

I think b cause they both need to be in the top 9 to succeed. KK has looked off, so who else would sit in the top 9? The only other thing to do would be to drop Armia to the 4th and sit Weise, but Armia is still effective on the 3rd.
This is a fantastic problem to have because it means they’re 100% healthy. We haven’t been able to say that in a long time. I’ve said from the beginning that health will play a major part in success this year. Hopefully it continues into the playoffs.

 

[Schwang]

Talk about creating drama.

What's easier to believe :

A) They want to rest the youngest player in the league so he doesn't get burned out.

B) This is a punishment for *something* that they don't want us to know about.

C) Julien think Weal is a better player than KK.

Well said. Too many conspiracy theorists on this board. Julien has played the kid in many situations. He has confidence in him or he wouldn’t have played so many games. And I don’t blame Bergevin for getting Weal either. That could be a great depth move at the very least. Pierre Maguire was saying great things about the kid and so was Gally when they played against each other as kids. We could have another Byron (who can win draws) on our hands. You never know.
KK will be back and will be successful. I wouldn’t read too much into it.

 

[Mrb1p]

I think b cause they both need to be in the top 9 to succeed. KK has looked off, so who else would sit in the top 9? The only other thing to do would be to drop Armia to the 4th and sit Weise, but Armia is still effective on the 3rd.
This is a fantastic problem to have because it means they’re 100% healthy. We haven’t been able to say that in a long time. I’ve said from the beginning that health will play a major part in success this year. Hopefully it continues into the playoffs.

Do you honestly believe Kotka isnt effective? I hadnt seen the prior games but the concerns have been overblown, I have seen nothing but steady improvement from him.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

Kotkaniemi's defensive prowess helping drive the Habs

 

[Runner77]

I’m not watching another game until KK gets back into the lineup.

So your upcoming user name change is going to involve KK?

Your Drouin suffering days will soon be behind you.

 

[JuicyHam]

Kotkaniemi's defensive prowess helping drive the Habs

I'm assuming this is one of the reasons he is being rested as well. Preparing him to play big minutes for the end of the season and hopefully come playoff time.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

Scratched today too, to nobody's surprise (I hope)

 

[Be a Hab]

If Weal could handle 3C the lines could look like this:

Tatar - Danault - Gallagher
Domi - Kotkaniemi - Shaw
Drouin - Weal - Armia
Byron - Thompson - Lehkonen

Is it too soon to put Kotkaniemi in that kind of position?

 

[Belial]

 

[ZUKI]

Do you honestly believe Kotka isnt effective? I hadnt seen the prior games but the concerns have been overblown, I have seen nothing but steady improvement from him.

i agree with you ; Julien is doing a great job with him

 

[teamfirst]

Do you honestly believe Kotka isnt effective? I hadnt seen the prior games but the concerns have been overblown, I have seen nothing but steady improvement from him.

If you have not seen a drop in KK's play in the last 4-5 games you probably didnt watch the games, i'm ok with CJ's decision .......it would be good in the long run, he'll be back in the line up tuesday against the Wings and i expect a strong finish from him

 

[BaseballCoach]

If you have not seen a drop in KK's play in the last 4-5 games you probably didnt watch the games, i'm ok with CJ's decision .......it would be good in the long run, he'll be back in the line up tuesday against the Wings and i expect a strong finish from him

Which Clod to listen to? The Monday one or the Tuesday one?

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Kotkaniemi is ok but Weal has more upside...

It seemed to do Mete some good earlier in the season to be out of the lineup. Maybe it will all work out all right.

You mean it didn't ruin Mete? I thought all this called up/sent down stuff was only there to destroy prospects?

 

[Heffyhoof]

I was kind of skeptical that these few days of rest he'd gotten up until this point would really be enough so even though it's disappointing, I doubt he'll be playing tomorrow either.

 

[Tuggy]

Believe it or not, Kotkaniemi will play again in the NHL.

 

[teamfirst]

Which Clod to listen to? The Monday one or the Tuesday one?

Dont know what he said Tuesday but i agree with what he said Monday, KK's play lately scream's mental fatigue, the rest will do him some good

 

[Mrb1p]

You mean it didn't ruin Mete? I thought all this called up/sent down stuff was only there to destroy prospects?

Mete has been given plenty of ice-time, in the AHL or the NHL.

 

[Kotkaniemi15]

So your upcoming user name change is going to involve KK?

Your Drouin suffering days will soon be behind you.

Suffering? Only good days with Drouin.


Not.

 

[dinodebino]

Chill pill everybody. After reading about Bergeron, Kopitar, Barkov, nothing to this.

 

[dinodebino]

So I've just read that Weal has more upside than KK.





Seriously, am I in the right forum?

 

[ECWHSWI]

You mean it didn't ruin Mete? I thought all this called up/sent down stuff was only there to destroy prospects?

it helped when the dumbass coaching the Rockets was finally being replaced.

and it's not like Mete did a lot of ups and downs anyway

 

[cphabs]

So your upcoming user name change is going to involve KK?

Your Drouin suffering days will soon be behind you.

I would like to offer “Coconut” as a possible replacement. Beautiful...