Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Jesperi Kotkaniemi

22-Year-Old Left WingLW
Carolina Hurricanes
2022 Fantasy Outlook
Kotkaniemi arrived in Carolina last season after signing a one-year, $6.1 million offer sheet in August 2021. The Canadiens declined to match, allowing the No. 3 overall pick from 2018 to leave town. Kotkaniemi played all of last season at age 21, so time is on his side, but his 12 goals and 29 points in 66 games make the contract seem like a massive overpay. Clearly believing in Kotkaniemi's ability, Carolina doubled down and signed him to a new eight-year, $38.5 million extension this past March. Kotkaniemi may get there eventually given his pedigree, but it's unlikely to happen in 2022-23, making him a fade in most fantasy formats. Read Past Outlooks
$Signed an eight-year, $38.5 million extension with the Hurricanes in March of 2022.
Three-point effort Tuesday
LWCarolina Hurricanes
March 15, 2023
Kotkaniemi scored two goals and an assist in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Jets.
ANALYSIS
The 22-year-old has flashed his upside with five-point and three-point performances already in March, but he has zero points in the other six games on the month. Kotkaniemi seems locked into a top-six role with Andrei Svechnikov (knee) done for the year. but until he shows more consistency his main fantasy utility will come in DFS tournaments.
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NHL Stats
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2018
2022 NHL Game Log
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2021 NHL Game Log
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2020 NHL Game Log
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2019 NHL Game Log
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2022–23 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    14:35
  • Average Power Play TOI:
    1:51
  • Average Short-Handed TOI:
    0:10
 
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
2020–21
14:48
1:54
0:01
2021–22
12:01
1:12
0:01
2022–23
14:35
1:51
0:10
Hurricanes Depth Chart
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Hurricanes Power Play Depth Chart
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2021
2020
2019
2018
Kotkaniemi had a strong freshman season (11 goals, 34 points in 79 games) for Montreal back in 2018-19, but the former No. 3 overall pick has managed just 11 goals and 28 points in 92 games over the past two years. He was also a healthy scratch for each of Montreal's final two games against the Lightning in the Stanley Cup final. While nothing in Kotkaniemi's profile suggests a breakout is coming this season, it's important to remember the Finn turned just 21 years of age this past July. He's played a lot of NHL hockey for such a youngster and that should help him down the line. For now, Kotkaniemi's value is mostly limited to keeper and dynasty formats.
After debuting as an 18-year-old rookie and picking up 34 points in 79 games in 2018-19, Kotkaniemi appeared in just 36 regular-season games with the Canadiens last year, picking up eight points over that span. The third overall pick from the 2018 draft did, however, fare far better during his time in the minors, racking up 13 points in 13 contests, and he played pretty well in the bubble, potting four goals in 10 playoff contests. The 20-year-old pivot will be a full-time player for the big club in 2020-21, centering the Habs' third line and second power-play unit, but it would be unwise to predict a massive leap in production from Kotkaniemi this year. He may be worth a flier in the later rounds of deeper formats, but he'll likely go undrafted in most fantasy leagues.
Kotkaniemi enjoyed a relatively successful rookie campaign in 2018-19, posting 11 goals and 23 assists while firing 134 shots on net in 79 games. Along with rookie camp and preseason action, that sounds like a lot of hockey for an 18-year-old, and it was. He tired over the course of the year, and as a result, his playing time dipped below 13 minutes per contest over the final five weeks of the season. Coach Claude Julien definitely gave the young Finn a chance to succeed, gifting him offensive zone starts 61.9 percent of the time, but it's hardly surprising that the teenager wasn't able to produce eye-popping offensive totals in his first season as a pro. With a full year in the NHL now under his belt, fantasy owners can expect Kotkaniemi to receive increased playing time in 2019-20, which should allow the third overall pick from the 2018 draft to improve his production across the board. The 6-foot-2 forward underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in April, but he should be ready to go for training camp.
Kotkaniemi spent 2017-18 playing for Assat Pori of SM-liiga -- the top Finnish hockey league -- posting 29 points over 57 games. It wasn't until a strong showing at U18s in April that the 18-year-old shot up draft boards, eventually being taken third overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Canadiens. He possesses an elite mind for the game and formidable size at 6-foot-2 but may need to improve his skating to contribute at the highest level. He impressed the brass enough in rookie camp that they wouldn't rule him out for the Opening Night roster, but the most likely scenario involves him beginning the campaign in the AHL and potentially debuting at some point later in the season.
More Fantasy News
Steps up with five points Sunday
LWCarolina Hurricanes
March 5, 2023
Kotkaniemi provided a goal and four assists in the Hurricanes' 6-0 win over Tampa Bay on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
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Starting to warm up
LWCarolina Hurricanes
February 18, 2023
Kotkaniemi scored a goal and added an assist in a 4-1 win over Washington in the 2023 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series on Saturday.
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Scores in loss to Rangers
LWCarolina Hurricanes
February 11, 2023
Kotkaniemi found the back of the net in a 6-2 loss to the Rangers on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
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Supplies two helpers Wednesday
LWCarolina Hurricanes
February 1, 2023
Kotkaniemi registered two assists in Carolina's 5-1 victory over the Sabres on Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
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Grabs two assists in win
LWCarolina Hurricanes
January 13, 2023
Kotkaniemi provided a pair of helpers in Thursday's 6-2 win over Columbus.
ANALYSIS
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