Prospect Info: Welcome to Montréal, Jesperi Kotkaniemi (1st round pick, 3OA 2018 - signed ELC)

[Pacciosoftie]

I remember reading he already went through an ACL injury or something. Is that something to be worried about? Will it affect his progress/career ?

 

[LeHab]

Best ever C from Finland pts wise is Saku. Barkov who holds dual citizenship may eclipse Saku down the road. If Jesperi can reach Saku level, this will be a great pick.

 

[Pickles]

One of my favorite Habs of all time was Saku. Zadina would have been nice but this I love this pick alot. They absolutely needed to draft a center in this draft and they addressed that need.

 

[Legend123]

Before watching the prospects I was super impressed with Zadina's stats and was all on for him. But once I started watching him as well as Kotka intensively, I was unimpressed with Zadina and hugely impressed with Kotka. My opinion quickly changed from zadina at all cost to Kotka. I'm glad we picked the right player.
Overall an amazing draft imo. Wished we had drafted Berggran and or Bokk but both were gone by the time we had a chance to.

 

[Adam Michaels]

relax folks his only 17

And that's what makes this pick even more of a positive. He's impressive and his progression ascended as the year went on and he's still got room to grow physically and hockey wise.

 

[kgboomer]

I've been complaining Bergevin couldn't get a top 6 C, I won't complain that he's trying to get one. Hopefully he's the guy this time.

 

[Adam Michaels]

This thing is already a classic:

 

[DAChampion]

One of my favorite Habs of all time was Saku. Zadina would have been nice but this I love this pick alot. They absolutely needed to draft a center in this draft and they addressed that need.

Koivu and Subban are my two favourite Habs of all time.

 

[sandviper]

I remember reading he already went through an ACL injury or something. Is that something to be worried about? Will it affect his progress/career ?

You are correct in that he had an ACL injury. It happened before this past season though and he got stronger as the year went on. I don’t think it's an issue and hope he’s 100% and this won’t come back to bite him.

FWIW, even though knee injuries are bad, I believe If you were to have one, an ACL injury is better than an injury with your MCL.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I remember reading he already went through an ACL injury or something. Is that something to be worried about? Will it affect his progress/career ?

Timmins said before the draft when asked about Kotkaniemi's skating. He mentioned that he had an ACL injury which would explain his lack of speed and skating issues, but that it's a non-issue right now. And the fact he was progressing more as the year went on proves that he has healed from it.

 

[David25]

I wonder if he'll be in the AHL next tear?

He’s not allowed. Either back Liga or With us. But I think he does one or two more years with In Liga

 

[Cobra Commander]

Drouin-Kotka-Gally
Domi-Poehling-Sherby

 

[Cobra Commander]

Kotka will be our first line center some day.

 

[Bieber fever]

5 years from now :

Trevor Timmins - The day they made me draft Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

 

[Peanut]

My biggest worry with Zadina was him being able to score as close into the net in the NHL as he currently does. He's not a huge guy and going to take some serious hits to be scoring consistently below the dots like he does right now, less time less room.

I don't know I think some kids like Zadina just have the scoring touch. I remember thinking the same thing when I watch Tyler Toffoli nothing too amazing skills but hes always in the right place at the right time and I believe Zadina has better skills than Toffoli. I could see Zadina as a 30-30 guy maybe more who going to have chip on his shoulder after the Habs and Sens took a pass on him.

Ps im more than ok Kotkaniemi pick just pleading my case for Zadina

 

[ahmedou]

I'm repeating his whole name with an russian accent since 48 hours non-stop.

 

[didimentionlarseller]

If everyone agreed to call him Eller or Lars i would do that also

I would be into that for sure, it seems like a lot of people are agreeing with this.

Ive also been thinking of a hybrid like 'Tiger Larry' - not conventional but would be a great hockeynickname makes me think of Nam

 

[Quethas]

Our site has quite many reports of Kotkaniemi:
Jesperi Kotkaniemi | FinnProspects.com

Kotkaniemi was naturally our top ranked Finn for this draft. The descriptions we had in the ranking pretty much tells you why.

– “Kotkaniemi is skilled, hard-working and mobile forward who still needs to bulk up and improve his skating. He showed really good work ethic and excellent vision in U18 World Championship as a center and I would like to see him playing in that position next season.”
– “The total package with terrific vision and passing skills. Highly competitive, physically strong and defensively reliable. Skating needs some work, but it won’t hold him back in the NHL.”
– “Kotkaniemi has all the tools to become a dominant yet agile and skilled centerman who is constantly ahead of his opponents in the offensive zone. His offensive game is close to elite: he can shoot, make plays and generate offence at a high rate by himself. He also uses his stick and positioning effectively while back checking.”
– “A very complete player with no real weaknesses. Skating used to be a concern with him, but it’s good enough to not hold him back from making a career as a top-6 center in the NHL.”

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Also now that I think about it could SN coverage have been any more rude to Kotkaniemi who went 3rd overall?

I don't understand why he was the only player they didn't air a live interview for - instead they seemed to have several setup shots for live air to cut to and goof on. That was really glaring to me anyways

He interviewed with tva sports right after getting drafted.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I'm repeating his whole name with an russian accent since 48 hours non-stop.

Try it with an austrian Arnie accent.

 

[Pickles]

Koivu and Subban are my two favourite Habs of all time.

Same here. I was also a huge fan of Roy.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Try it with an austrian Arnie accent.

Come with me Kotkaniemi to the Choppa if you want to live

 

[WeThreeKings]

He’s not allowed. Either back Liga or With us. But I think he does one or two more years with In Liga

He is allowed. Only players drafted from the CHL can't play in the AHL before they turn 20

 

[DaJackal]

He’s not allowed. Either back Liga or With us. But I think he does one or two more years with In Liga

He is allowed to play in the AHL because he was drafted from Europe. Also, he is a first round pick, so the Canadiens have the final say in where he plays.

But I think a full season in FEL playing as a C would be the best for his development.

 

[Kriss E]

He is allowed to play in the AHL because he was drafted from Europe. Also, he is a first round pick, so the Canadiens have the final say in where he plays.

But I think a full season in FEL playing as a C would be the best for his development.

I'd say bring him to the AHL, get strong veteran AHL wingers to play on his line that way you don't have to worry about him playing with other young prospects that might get called up.
Sign AHL vets, keep them on his wing, don't call him up.
If Lefebvre was still in charge of the team down there, then 100%, keep him in Europe. But I trust Bouchard a lot more, so I'd get him for Laval.
Plus, he'd already be in Montreal, so he would already be adapting to the local area.