Player Discussion Jesperi Kotkaniemi - (On Loan to Liiga)

[salbutera]

KK 19:32 TOI

 

[417]

Looking at Kotkaniemi right now during the press conference.

He put in a lot of work on his physical condition the last 5 months.

It's quite noticeable

 

[Big Empty]

Kotkaniemi led all forwards in TOI with 19:32

also he was this close to scoring:

 

[Sugi21]

Looking at Kotkaniemi right now during the press conference.

He put in a lot of work on his physical condition the last 5 months.

It's quite noticeable

That playoff beard coming along too

 

[malcb33]

KK looks great right now. He's fulfilling his potential from his rookie season and proving his draft position. Berg has to be a proud papa! lol

It's going to be exciting to see him grow and develop. There will be ups and downs but he should be very fun to watch. IMO his style is a little like Matthews, not quite there yet though.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Kotkaniemi led all forwards in TOI with 19:32

also he was this close to scoring:

That was an insane release by KK damn

 

[Chili]

Loved the draft pick at the time, the hiccup this season was probably predictable and now in his first playoffs he's already looking like a veteran.

He may never become a great skater but he gets where he needs to be and he has intangibles that can't be taught, especially desire.

Like others have said, it is cool to see the Habs with three good young centres.

 

[salbutera]

Loved the draft pick at the time, the hiccup this season was probably predictable and now in his first playoffs he's already looking like a veteran.

He may never become a great skater but he gets where he needs to be and he has intangibles that can't be taught, especially desire.

Like others have said, it is cool to see the Habs with three good young centres.

Evans looks like he could be a good 4C - can’t remember last time had such depth at C that was as young with growth potential..

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Bustkaniemi.

 

[waffledave]

Kotkaniemi led all forwards in TOI with 19:32

also he was this close to scoring:

This shot was absolutely insane. If he can shoot like that consistently he will be unstoppable.

 

[HabsMD97]

Nice part about the shot was how he was faking the pass the whole time, doesn't even look at the net until shot is already released.

 

[Cacaniemi]

The biggest thing that is noticeable is his confidence, hes throwing his body and winning puck battles which is something he has never done. He looks great with the puck and is at the right places , looking great offensively by taking shots and his game is slowing down and making the right choices and not hesitating. I hope these playoffs are not an outlier and hes really progressed to this point. These playoffs have really showcased that we may have two young guns down the middle.

 

[Zub]

Unpopular opinion, he's still a little lanky.

But no doubt he has all of the elite skills to make it.

Oh this is not just an opinion, it's a fact, he still needs to build muscle.

 

[Hannibal]

When he backchecked and hit Thompson just before he took the unlucky penalty, it was so refreshing!

 

[Zub]

Kotkaniemi has a Pettersson lvl shot, and that's no exhaduration at all he really has a insane wrister and slapper. Wonder when the coach will figure it out already what he has under his nose.

 

[Zub]

That was an insane release by KK damn

It litterally moves as fast in slowmo as some guys can shoot it otherwise.

 

[HockeyHistorian]

As a Finn, I was a bit skeptical about picking him at #3 and never thought he'd be able to live up to that draft position. I thought he'd probably end up as a 40 point top-9 PP specialist.

Glad to see I was wrong. He is looking great out there. Engaged, constantly in the right place, great shot and great defensive stick. Really liked that one takeaway, reminded me of Datsyuk.

One thing that I have been surprised to read here is people complaining about his puck skills. To me, stickhandling has always been one of his best assets.

 

[Bearr]

He was already showing his solid shot at the U18s , I hope he can become a consistent 70-80 point guy.

0:53

 

[26Mats]

Evans looks like he could be a good 4C - can’t remember last time had such depth at C that was as young with growth potential..

I think Wvans might even be more than a 4c. But for next year let's hope he can do the job.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Top minutes with Top 6 wingers and now he looks like a Top 6 player, wow who knew that might help the kids confidence...

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Crazy what physical development does to a player.... which is exactly why he shouldve went back to Finland in year one.
I didnt think he was good enough to carry himself out of that hole

Seems to not have matter one iota.

 

[goforit]

Top minutes with Top 6 wingers and now he looks like a Top 6 player, wow who knew that might help the kids confidence...

Or maybe he plays top6 minutes because he plays well?

 

[McGuires Corndog]

Top minutes with Top 6 wingers and now he looks like a Top 6 player, wow who knew that might help the kids confidence...

That is definitely part of it, but he looked good earlier against the Pens as well when he wasn’t playing with top-6 guys. I think his stint in the AHL was crucial development for him that allowed him to build confidence. He barely looks like the same player

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Or maybe he plays top6 minutes because he plays well?

For top draft picks put them is a position to succeed - like Vancouver do - rather than make them prove themselves to be veteran 200 ft players first

 

[Habs10025]

Bustkaniemi.

Nope.