Prospect Info: Jesperi Kotkaniemi Part II

[yianik]

I never liked the idea of rushing a player. However, this is where sound hockey decisions happen -- we need competent staff to make the right decision.

Having Bouchard and Ducharme on board provides insurance in this regard.

MB is on top of the pyramid.

We believe that coaches make the coaching decisions and I never particularly questioned this with MT at the helm because there were several times MB went out and got players that MB didnt give the time of day.

With CJ I dont know. Did CJ really want Drouin at C , at least all year ? Did CJ not want to give Chucky a shot at C ever , even when Chucky improved his overall game ? Answers could certainly be yes. There is legitimate cause to speculate though that MB may have dictated a thing or two.

So I wonder about the right decision being made. It certainly could be that Kotkaniemi is one of the 4 best C we have, but not because he is ready, but because we stink at C.

As I have said , I just want him back at Liiga for the year. Bring him over when his season over there is done, let him play some games.

Its the 2019-20 season that we should be looking at as a possible start season for Kotkaniemi and Poehling to be in the AHL/NHL.

We also have several C players to give chances to and see what they have, be it at the NHL or AHL level, because when Kotkaniemi and Poehling come , they will not be playing in the ECHL.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Call me crazy but in some highlights, he reminds me of Radulov some time. (The protection the puck and passing ability).

I know he is a center and is style it's like Kopitar/Barkov, but in some highlights he looks like Radulov ^^

 

[tazsub3]

You forgot, also new arena, new fanbase close to the city of Montreal... I haven't looked into it but I would imagineiit has to be up in it he echelon of best places to develop now. A call up means you cross the street to the bell (figure of speech) no bus no plane no hotel.

Exactly, yes a lot of things have gone wrong, and were done wrong last few years, but we have lots going for us..

 

[admiralcadillac]

MB is on top of the pyramid.

We believe that coaches make the coaching decisions and I never particularly questioned this with MT at the helm because there were several times MB went out and got players that MB didnt give the time of day.

With CJ I dont know. Did CJ really want Drouin at C , at least all year ? Did CJ not want to give Chucky a shot at C ever , even when Chucky improved his overall game ? Answers could certainly be yes. There is legitimate cause to speculate though that MB may have dictated a thing or two.

So I wonder about the right decision being made. It certainly could be that Kotkaniemi is one of the 4 best C we have, but not because he is ready, but because we stink at C.

As I have said , I just want him back at Liiga for the year. Bring him over when his season over there is done, let him play some games.

Its the 2019-20 season that we should be looking at as a possible start season for Kotkaniemi and Poehling to be in the AHL/NHL.

We also have several C players to give chances to and see what they have, be it at the NHL or AHL level, because when Kotkaniemi and Poehling come , they will not be playing in the ECHL.

Claude gave Galchenyuk a shot at center, albeit not much of one

 

[Adam Michaels]

So after the 4 Nations Cup, JK will travel to Montreal and prepare for the rookie camp, Rookie Showdown, and Habs' main camp.

 

[le_sean]

So after the 4 Nations Cup, JK will travel to Montreal and prepare for the rookie camp, Rookie Showdown, and Habs' main camp.

Ah to be 18 again, have unlimited endurance and recover quickly.

 

[GHJimmy]

Maybe Kakko will be on that line instead

Then there’s Ylönen and Ikonen.....ma parole!!!

Ylonen and ikonen aren't playing due to injuries sadly.

 

[The Great Weal]

5 points in 4 preseason games

 

[sandviper]

5 points in 4 preseason games

But he didn’t score any preseason shootout goals. Bust!

 

[danyhabsfan]

I heard he scored in shootout?

is it true?
Any video?

 

[Habs Icing]

Ah to be 18 again, have unlimited endurance and recover quickly.

Are you talking about hockey?

 

[TannedBum]

5 points in 4 preseason games

The first two preseason games were 2x15min/game. 3gp 5 pontis.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

so i guess nobody is watching his U20 game? or nobody can?

 

[Deebs]

[tweet]

 

[HOPE]

[tweet]

Wait what? Game is already started? I put up the finland clock on my phone thought it was starting in 20mins! Greats news tho!

 

[HOPE]

Im lost i also just read 3-0 finland what kind of match is he playing? I thought it was his preseason match with assets wich i just checked isn’t in the line up and is indeed in 20min

 

[HomeAndHome]

You can see the results here, 5-1 Finland

U20 4-Nations | stats.swehockey.se

 

[417]

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

he really has an underrated wrist shot.

 

[Habs Halifax]

he really has an underrated wrist shot.

The time I realized that Kotkaniemi can score goals with his shot, is the time I was OK with picking him over Zadina. I love goal scoring centers with size and skill and play making vision. He may or many not be a #1C but most fans from across the league think he is a safe #2C at worse.

Very much looking forward to seeing how much Kotkaniemi grows in his draft year +1. We have to remember he is 8 or 9 months younger vs Zadina.

We got a good one here people.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

The time I realized that Kotkaniemi can score goals with his shot, is the time I was OK with picking him over Zadina. I love goal scoring centers with size and skill and play making vision. He may or many not be a #1C but most fans from across the league think he is a safe #2C at worse.

Very much looking forward to seeing how much Kotkaniemi grows in his draft year +1. We have to remember he is 8 or 9 months younger vs Zadina.

We got a good one here people.

yeah I think the same went for me. I was on the Zadina train up until a few days before the draft. It may have been seeing his goals. It's obviously not Zadina's shot but I was pretty impressed with it espeically since it wasn't his bread and butter. Love this pick more and more.

 

[cphabs]

Not sure what he did to that player trying to defend against him in that goal clip, but it was good lmao! Nice hands and skating!!!

 

[CanadienShark]

Wicked shot. Kotkaniemi started to grow on me the last month or so before the draft. Goal scoring centres are worth their weight in gold. This pick is still looking good imo.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Not sure what he did to that player trying to defend against him in that goal clip, but it was good lmao! Nice hands and skating!!!

That's the next Alzner defending him there by the looks of it

By the score sheet he was #1C and 72% (13/18) on the draws which is great to see

 

[cphabs]

That's the next Alzner defending him there by the looks of it

By the score sheet he was #1C and 72% (13/18) on the draws which is great to see

I think Kotka decided, or even better planned, to use the defender as a screen. I know they are still kids out there, but they are the best of the best... I don’t care if people laugh at this, but the kid reminds me a lot of Mario Lemuix. Especially on the left side.