Speculation: Jesperi Kotkaniemi - What is he worth this summer?

[Hostile Offer]

As we know, our wildly divisive young centreman is set to become a restricted free agent this summer and is going to need a shiny new contract for next year. It's been a bumpy road in the NHL so far for Kotkaniemi but he's shown flashes of brilliance here and there throughout the three years he's been with the team, meaning it's most likely he'll sign a bridge contract of sorts. What do Habs fans think he'll be signed to? Do you think he's worth anything at all? No arbitration rights yet for him.

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[Archijerej]

Our cap situation makes a 2 year bridge deal the most logical choice, if we wish to strengthen the team for next season.

There's also the question of Suzuki, who's the real deal. He will also likely have to be signed to a bridge deal, but if we want to sign him long-term, or fend off offer sheets, then bridging Kotkaniemi is a must.

I'll be ok with anything up to $2,5M. The less, the better as it gives us more room to maneuver for the next 2 years.

 

[sandviper]

2-years makes the most sense for a couple reasons.

Cap will remain flat for at least that long if not longer. As Suzuki will be up next season, who’ll probably get a longer term deal, we’ll have a better idea of his worth and what our cap situation looks like.

He’ll also still be a RFA so we’ll have control still. He’ll still be young, but I think we’ll also know next two years what his true ceiling will be.

 

[abo9]

As others said, 2-3 years the less the better (<3M)

If he doesnt take a leap in those 2-3 years, then we either move on or accept that ye's a 40 pts player

 

[Scintillating10]

3 million tops. He played well in playoffs last year too. Then disappeared in season

 

[Ozmodiar]

Our cap situation makes a 2 year bridge deal the most logical choice, if we wish to strengthen the team for next season.

There's also the question of Suzuki, who's the real deal. He will also likely have to be signed to a bridge deal, but if we want to sign him long-term, or fend off offer sheets, then bridging Kotkaniemi is a must.

I'll be ok with anything up to $2,5M. The less, the better as it gives us more room to maneuver for the next 2 years.

2-years makes the most sense for a couple reasons.

Cap will remain flat for at least that long if not longer. As Suzuki will be up next season, who’ll probably get a longer term deal, we’ll have a better idea of his worth and what our cap situation looks like.

He’ll also still be a RFA so we’ll have control still. He’ll still be young, but I think we’ll also know next two years what his true ceiling will be.

I agree with these two, notably similar, posts.

 

[salbutera]

Like Markov never ever give 35+ players more than 1-year deal...if it means losing them...not desirable but too bad. Risk is too high on multi-year deals at 35+

1-year deal heavy bonus laden contract should be the objective w Perry IMO - $1M base + $2M bonus

 

[WatchfulElm]

With a flat cap, a RFA status and a deceiving offensive production this year, I see absolutely zero reason why he should get paid more than 1,5 per year on a 2 years bridge deal.

He has basically no argument in his favor this year. And you don't pay a player only based on unfulfilled potential.

 

[ECWHSWI]

With a flat cap, a RFA status and a deceiving offensive production this year, I see absolutely zero reason why he should get paid more than 1,5 per year on a 2 years bridge deal.

He has basically no argument in his favor this year. And you don't pay a player only based on unfulfilled potential.

last time that logic was used on a Habs player said player ended up costing 9M per...

 

[BLONG7]

KK will have to take a bridge deal, as per the Habs policy always......anything less than 2.5M per would make sense.
He did not have the numbers or the TOI to dictate anything else....this makes the most sense for the team and player...

 

[WatchfulElm]

last time that logic was used on a Habs player said player ended up costing 9M per...

I like KK, but I don’t think he will ever be a 9 millions dollars player. I don’t see any incentive to overpay a RFA on a year with a flat cap.

 

[malton]

3x3. If you go long term 7x6

 

[ECWHSWI]

I like KK, but I don’t think he will ever be a 9 millions dollars player. I don’t see any incentive to overpay a RFA on a year with a flat cap.

that was not the point...

 

[ECWHSWI]

KK will have to take a bridge deal, as per the Habs policy always......anything less than 2.5M per would make sense.
He did not have the numbers or the TOI to dictate anything else....this makes the most sense for the team and player...

think you forgot how much guys like Armia, Byron, Lehkonen are making...

 

[BLONG7]

think you forgot how much guys like Armia, Byron, Lehkonen are making...

Armia and Leks, are 2.6M and 2.4M...............KK should be around that? No? 2.5M or less I think should get it done?
Do you think higher?

 

[Deebs]

2-3 x $2.5-3M is what's going to happen and that's good for both parties

 

[MD thaivuN]

probably getting less than 2M. His agent would be smart to negotiate for a 1 year deal

 

[ECWHSWI]

Armia and Leks, are 2.6M and 2.4M...............KK should be around that? No? 2.5M or less I think should get it done?
Do you think higher?

when GM play hardball with their young RFA they always end up having to pay them a lot more than their worth when they're closing on UFA status.

 

[CristianoRonaldo]

4M long term contract, he's not worth it yet, but it's a gamble.

 

[RationalExpectations]

I think he takes a bridge a la Lekhonen, i.e. 2x2.5, seems fair right now and shows that he'll bet on himself to get more later. Too soon for a long term deal in my opinion.

 

[Supersonic]

A 2-4 year bridge deal would be ideal IMO

he’s only going to get better but it’s about thinking how we are going to pay for Suzuki and Caufield next

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

2 year bridge keeps him a RFA, ya? That’s the way to go. Either he blossoms and you give him a big deal, or he doesn’t and you don’t.

 

[BLONG7]

when GM play hardball with their young RFA they always end up having to pay them a lot more than their worth when they're closing on UFA status.

True.........but that's a pleasant problem...
At that point they must be a real good player...so, who knows....pay me now, or pay me later....the agents always seem to win.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

4M long term contract, he's not worth it yet, but it's a gamble.

Long term is the way to go. Get it as cheap as possible. I voted 4-5 yrs at 4.5 because it was the closest to what I'd go for but honestly, I'd work on getting that number down. 4 ml max at 5 years is what I would do. If he won't do 4 mil or less, then I'd look at shorter term with less dollars.

 

[ECWHSWI]

True.........but that's a pleasant problem...
At that point they must be a real good player...so, who knows....pay me now, or pay me later....the agents always seem to win.

thing wqith KK is he'll be UFA at 25, given the type of game he plays its possible he is not fully developped at the end of his bridge contract. Its really a tough one.