It's the first time since 2007 a player changed teams via an offer sheet, and just the 14th time in NHL history an offer sheet wasn't matched. Of course, the last offer sheet tendered in the league was when Montreal offered Sebastian Aho in the summer of 2019, a deal Carolina
knew it would match
almost immediately. And while the narrative of "revenge" has been thrown around in the last week, the Canes' signing of Kotkaniemi is about much more than that.
"His age and natural skillset suggests a very high ceiling, and the opportunity to acquire players like that simply does not come along very often," said Canes Assistant General Manager Eric Tulsky. "Jesperi is a smart player who sees the ice extremely well; it seems like every time he touches the puck, he puts his team in a better position."
Selected third overall by the Canadiens in the 2018 draft - one pick behind Andrei Svechnikov - Kotkaniemi has tallied 62 points (22 G, 40 A) in 171 career games. Half of the Pori, Finland native's career goals have come on the power play, and he's notched three game-winning goals as well.
"When teenagers are thrown into the NHL, we know there's going to be peaks and valleys with their development. Despite this, Jesperi consistently showed a high level of hockey sense," Canes Assistant General Manager Darren Yorke said.
Where the forward will slot into Carolina's lines is intriguing. He could play on the wing with fellow Finns Sebastian Aho and Teuvo Teravainen, or pair with offensive-minded playmakers Vincent Trocheck and Martin Necas. Another option would be to add him to a line with Canes captain Jordan Staal and fellow veteran Jesper Fast. No matter where Kotkaniemi fits into Carolina's lines though, one thing is certain.
"He has the ability to make others around him better while processing the game at a high level," Yorke said. "He'll fit right in with our young core, and help us achieve our goals."
