Confirmed with Link: Kotkaniemi signs 8 year extension

[tarheelhockey]

I would imagine the media in Montreal and Toronto are the same. It sure makes it hard to turn something around when the press is pushing everything negative about the team 24/7. Compare that to the Raleigh and Canes media who come off as fans of the team first and reporters second. Not saying they dont call out the team for mistakes but they give them a hell of a lot more rope than other markets do.

In a market like Montreal or Toronto it's possible to get clicks without having much access to the team. Just showing up to a press conference and asking a provocative question is enough to seize the spotlight. If it provokes an argument, you just made Sportscenter. Granted, you still need access to the press conference, but that's just a matter of working for a mainstream media entity.

In the Carolina market, simply talking about the team isn't enough to get clicks. Publishing an out-of-left-field rant about the Hurricanes will draw an audience of about 10 people unless it contains some sort of direct content from the team (see: Luke DeCock's career trajectory). The reporters truly need 1-on-1 access to the players and staff, which is gatekept by the front office. That means tamping down negativity and above all, avoiding any hint of confrontation or antagonism.

Nothing illustrated this dynamic more than when the mouth-breathing sports radio guy in Boston hung up on Chip during a live interview, which generated more media attention than the entire portfolio of content that Chip has ever produced. That moment captured the fundamental difference between the two media markets.

 

[TheReelChuckFletcher]

Honestly, the most exciting thing about this contract is that it is the largest evidence so far that players actually want to play for Carolina now, rather than just being a stopover for brighter lights elsewhere. One of the big reasons why the Svech and KK 8-year pacts were easier to pen down than the Brady Tkachuk extension (who took less years and more AAV to sign despite being a worse player than Svech), as an example, is probably because Carolina is an emerging contender that guys actually want to stick with, in contrast with the raging dumpster fire in Ottawa.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Canadiens fan here. But I also follow the Hurricanes because I have Kotkaniemi, Necas and Jarvis in my keeper league. I just wish Bergevin had been fired before he let Kotkaniemi go. Now that the Habs have a decent management team and coach he would have flourished in Montreal too. He would have been a 2c for the Habs. Do you think the signing means Trochek is gone?

 

[Chrispy]

Canadiens fan here. But I also follow the Hurricanes because I have Kotkaniemi, Necas and Jarvis in my keeper league. I just wish Bergevin had been fired before he let Kotkaniemi go. Now that the Habs have a decent management team and coach he would have flourished in Montreal too. He would have been a 2c for the Habs. Do you think the signing means Trochek is gone?

I think it was likely Trocheck was gone before this signing. Trocheck is going to be a top UFA target this offseason, possibly by Montreal given the need for C depth.

With the RFA contracts to sign (Necas, Bear, DeAngelo) I think many here have seen Kotkaniemi as a backfill for Trocheck since Montreal failed to match.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

I think it was likely Trocheck was gone before this signing. Trocheck is going to be a top UFA target this offseason, possibly by Montreal given the need for C depth.

With the RFA contracts to sign (Necas, Bear, DeAngelo) I think many here have seen Kotkaniemi as a backfill for Trocheck since Montreal failed to match.

A line of Jarvis- Kotkaniemi - Necas should be good if they get to stay together for a decent amount of time. Jarvis looks like a 1st line forward as I thought he would. I would rather see Carolina get to the SC Finals than Toronto, Tampa, Boston or Florida.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

A line of Jarvis- Kotkaniemi - Necas should be good if they get to stay together for a decent amount of time. Jarvis looks like a 1st line forward as I thought he would. I would rather see Carolina get to the SC Finals than Toronto, Tampa, Boston or Florida.

As much as I love the Aho - TT connection... TT playing his off-wing kind of screws things up, because while I could be 100% wrong on this, I don't think Jarvis looks great playing the left side. He's a righty shot and probably does better as an LW if he can't be an NHL C.

Svech - Aho - Jarvis
TT - KK - Necas

Or something like that... that's the world that I want to live in one day.

 

[NotOpie]

As much as I love the Aho - TT connection... TT playing his off-wing kind of screws things up, because while I could be 100% wrong on this, I don't think Jarvis looks great playing the left side. He's a righty shot and probably does better as an LW if he can't be an NHL C.

Svech - Aho - Jarvis
TT - KK - Necas

Or something like that... that's the world that I want to live in one day.

The problem in my mind is that Teravainen is substantially better on his off side (RW). For whatever reason that's been a significant positive to his game.

 

[Svechhammer]

As much as I love the Aho - TT connection... TT playing his off-wing kind of screws things up, because while I could be 100% wrong on this, I don't think Jarvis looks great playing the left side. He's a righty shot and probably does better as an LW if he can't be an NHL C.

Svech - Aho - Jarvis
TT - KK - Necas

Or something like that... that's the world that I want to live in one day.

The problem in my mind is that Teravainen is substantially better on his off side (RW). For whatever reason that's been a significant positive to his game.

Jarvis looked scrappy as hell last night and wasn't afraid to get into the dirty areas to make a play. He adds a little twitchiness and quickness to that line that Svech doesn't, and it worked surprisingly well. If they can harness that for the entire playoff run, that could be a line we want to use often.

Svech-Tro-Necas is a line where its only a matter of time before it breaks out big. Not surprised both Necas and Tro scored last night, that line had a great time, and while those goals were on the PP, that line got them a lot of confidence early.

I just love that with Domi we have a lot of pieces we can move around to shake things up that doesn't immediately lead to 2nd line Martinook. We are a better team post-deadline for that alone.

 

[tarheelhockey]

I think it was likely Trocheck was gone before this signing. Trocheck is going to be a top UFA target this offseason, possibly by Montreal given the need for C depth.

With the RFA contracts to sign (Necas, Bear, DeAngelo) I think many here have seen Kotkaniemi as a backfill for Trocheck since Montreal failed to match.

We're going to be losing both Trocheck and Staal in the immediate future, either to UFA or in Staal's case to simply not being very useful as a top-6er anymore.

Part of the picture with this contract is having two C spots locked down until the middle of the decade. It's hard enough having to fill the other two spots, but we really can't have a revolving door in the middle of the ice if we want to build a cohesive group for the long term.

Next year we likely go in with Aho-Kotkaniemi-Staal-X, and then evaluate whether it's looking strong enough to keep going with that group. If necessary, 2023-24 looks more like Aho-X-Kotkaniemi-Staal or Aho-X-Kotkaniemi-X and by that time we will likely be big-game hunting to try and go all the way during this window.

 

[MinJaBen]

I think Domi probably gets a start with Aho and Teuvo at first. See if he fits there and allows Rod to keep Svech with Tro and Necas and the Staal line together. Jarvis has been good with KK and friends already, so that probably is the way I see them starting.

 

[WreckingCrew]

Did you guys know KK ISN'T EVEN A 4TH LINER IN THE NHL!! At least, that's what I'm told

 

[SlavinAway]

Did you guys know KK ISN'T EVEN A 4TH LINER IN THE NHL!! At least, that's what I'm told

Haha. I love the idea of a Lorentz - KK - Jarvis 4th line. I feel like that's a line that could get hot and absolutely feast on other teams in the playoffs.

 

[GIN ANTONIC]

Haha. I love the idea of a Lorentz - KK - Jarvis 4th line. I feel like that's a line that could get hot and absolutely feast on other teams in the playoffs.

Yeah I could be down with this...

Domi - Aho - TT
Svech - Tro - Necas
Nino - Staal - Fast
Lorentz - KK - Jarvis

Either way we've got the pieces and the depth, just have to see where the best combos are.

 

[Svechhammer]

Did you guys know KK ISN'T EVEN A 4TH LINER IN THE NHL!! At least, that's what I'm told

I heard he's struggling to even prove he belongs on an NHL roster

 

[Tryamw]

I heard he's struggling to even prove he belongs on an NHL roster

He should be kilt then set on fire.

 

[Svechhammer]

He should be kilt then set on fire.

Too humane. Set on fire, then dress in kilt

 

[Not The One]

as i said before I look forward to the clowns like Not the one coming around any time Koko doesnt perform up to 3OA levels but disappear when he does.

Hi. I love you too. Good luck with that contract.

 

[Boom Boom Apathy]

Hi. I love you too. Good luck with that contract.

Man, you really are obsessed with this player, aren't you.

You should be happy that your team has a good front office now, a promising coach and a bunch of picks to help kickstart the rebuild, but instead you keep obsessing on a player that is no longer with your team.

Weird. Sad, but weird.

 

[Tryamw]

Apparently when we discuss the WORST case of buying him out we are EXPECTING to buy him out.

Oh well I'll hit below the belt.. Scott Gomez mention

 

[Svechhammer]

Of course Not the One comes into this thread on here to talk shit about KK.

How pathetic does one have to be to do that. Holy shit, dude get a f***ing life

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Canadiens fan here. But I also follow the Hurricanes because I have Kotkaniemi, Necas and Jarvis in my keeper league. I just wish Bergevin had been fired before he let Kotkaniemi go. Now that the Habs have a decent management team and coach he would have flourished in Montreal too. He would have been a 2c for the Habs. Do you think the signing means Trochek is gone?

We can answer this question for you, but only if you tell us the name of your fantasy team. That's the rule here.

 

[Navin R Slavin]

Hi. I love you too. Good luck with that contract.

On the main board, we are obliged to be semi polite. This is our house. Don't push your luck.

 

[Not The One]

On the main board, we are obliged to be semi polite. This is our house. Don't push your luck.

I wouldn't dream of it. I just happened to check out this discussion and saw my name, which is pretty funny. As you say this is your space and I have no interest crashing your party. I find your positivity quite refreshing.

Have good end of the season and good luck in the playoffs.

 

[moses malone 12]

As much as I love the Aho - TT connection... TT playing his off-wing kind of screws things up, because while I could be 100% wrong on this, I don't think Jarvis looks great playing the left side. He's a righty shot and probably does better as an LW if he can't be an NHL C.

Svech - Aho - Jarvis
TT - KK - Necas

Or something like that... that's the world that I want to live in one day.

agree. Jarvis seems to play better on the right side.

 

[Svechhammer]

Funny, main thread gets locked because of the Habs trolls, and now they come here.

Just sad