Canadiens’ Kotkaniemi Has Some Serious Potential

In 2018, the Montreal Canadiens were given the third overall pick in the NHL Draft, their highest pick since 2012 when the team selected offensive forward Alex Galchenyuk with the same pick.

Last year’s draft featured a strong pool of prospects including Rasmus Dahlin, Andrei Svechnikov, Brady Tkachuk, Filip Zadina, Quinn Hughes and Barrett Hayton. One of the most promising of these prospects is Finnish center Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who had an impressive rookie season with the Canadiens.

Kotkaniemi’s 2018-19 NHL Season

After the draft, many analysts were quick to say that Kotkaniemi was not NHL-ready and would need to play another year or two in Finland or any other league besides the NHL.

Yet despite the criticism, Kotkaniemi gave Habs management no choice but to put his name on the opening night roster due to an impressive tryout and the team’s lack of depth. This made history, as Kotkaniemi was the first player born in the 2000s to make the roster on any NHL team.

The rookie center was the youngest player in the NHL this season and he played in 79 of the 82-game schedule.

Kotkaniemi made significant strides throughout the season. He finished with 11 goals and 34 points, which put him ninth in rookie scoring and fourth among players drafted in 2018.

Thirty-four points is not spectacular, but it’s excellent for a player who wasn’t supposed to make the team. Not to mention the pressure of playing in a city like Montreal, where hockey is like a religion.

Offseason Knee Surgery

Two weeks after the season ended, Kotkaniemi underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Fans have nothing to worry about however, as Bergevin told the media that the injury was only minor, and it did not stop Kotkaniemi from playing this past season nor would it delay his offseason training.

Kotkaniemi is said to be staying in Montreal in the meantime to complete his rehabilitation program under the guidance of the Canadiens’ training staff.

Kotkaniemi’s 2019-20: A Look Ahead

After fully recovering from surgery, Kotkaniemi will have all summer to prepare for the upcoming season. Unlike last year, when he had the distraction of the draft and other media obligations, the soon to be sophomore will have plenty of time to work on his strength and skating.

Kotkaniemi will look to build off an impressive rookie campaign and avoid the sophomore slump.

Don’t be surprised if the young center follows in the footsteps of another Finnish-born player, Mikko Rantanen of the Colorado Avalanche. Like Kotkaniemi, Rantanen’s rookie season was solid but not spectacular. Rantanen tallied 38 points compared to Kotkaniemi’s 34. Rantanen then followed it up with a fantastic 84-point sophomore season and a trip to the Stanley Cup playoffs. With help coming from new players like Ryan Poehling and potential offseason signees, it is possible that Kotkaniemi will pull off Rantanen-like numbers, allowing the Habs to make it to the playoffs in 2019-20.