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

[MasterDecoy]

What an odd way to spell tkachuk...

 

[didimentionlarseller]

He interviewed with tva sports right after getting drafted.

I was referring to SN they had a couple setup crowd shots to goof on and DID NOT show him being interviewed at all instead they goofed on that angry lady and the habs

 

[Beer and Chips]

Habs can't afford to F around anymore with their half assed development approach.

They better put together a top notch training regime for this kid to especially work on his leg strength if needed, and hook him up with one of the best skating coaches out there.

He has the IQ, vision/ sense and the hands. Good shot also. Improve his explosiveness with the edgework that goes with it and he could be deadly on the cycle. And presto, 1st line C no question in my mind.

I hope they have a development program for all the prospects.

 

[cphabs]

Been watching ice hockey for a long time and this kid reminds of Mario Lemieux. Not bullshitting or trolling.

 

[NORiculous]

Kotkaniemi has stated that his biggest dream is to win a Liiga championship, so he's certainly not coming over to play in the AHL...

I think there is a rule preventing Kitkat from playing in the AHL, but I could be wrong. I think its either NHL or Liiga.

 

[ottawa]

What's nice is Kotka will be playing Center this year against men in a weaker league, which will ease him into that role. Then he can go to the AHL and face tougher competition on small ice which will only benefit him further. I really hope they go this route.

He's not playing in the AHL. See contract.

 

[Deebs]

He's not playing in the AHL. See contract.

It can be negotiated I'm sure

 

[ArsHabs]

Bwahahaha! Just missing the McMahon walk before the draft announcement.

 

[ottawa]

It can be negotiated I'm sure

I think he's better off where he is now...his dad is the head coach and they know Montreal needs a #1C so I'm sure he'll do everything he can to turn his son into the center we need. I trust his dad more than our AHL or NHL staff to develop him.

Also the gap isn't that far from the the AHL

 

[Redux91]

Love this pick. I don't care if he's not the most talented guy on the board. Finally the habs go for a big center in the first round.

We went for a big center in the first round last year too..

no love for poe

 

[didimentionlarseller]

We went for a big center in the first round last year too..

no love for poe

im liking the direction our C depth is going for sure we need 2-3 more similar type drafts where we can just keep accumulating

 

[yianik]

I hope they have a development program for all the prospects.

Would. Be. Nice.

Other thing is after having watched guys get drummed out due to bad behaviour over the years I was pleased when MB came in and he announced we would have a guy, Patrice Brisbois I thought, to keep a check on the youngsters. Apparently that hasnt worked out too good. I know, young, but still adults. Nevertheless, Crosby stayed with Mario. We could use a mentorship thing here.

 

[JianYang]

We went for a big center in the first round last year too..

no love for poe

I think there is a difference in expectations. Koktaniemi is considered to have a 2C floor, while poehling is more like a 2C ceiling.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

I think there is a difference in expectations. Koktaniemi is considered to have a 2C floor, while poehling is more like a 2C ceiling.

id say 2B for Poehling atleast , hes looking good actually

 

[Redux91]

I think there is a difference in expectations. Koktaniemi is considered to have a 2C floor, while poehling is more like a 2C ceiling.

I would tend to agree with this, im happy to have BOTH

 

[Redux91]

id say 2B for Poehling atleast , hes looking good actually

lol the C wasnt a grade...

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

lol the C wasnt a grade...

Saw that 2 late l0l

 

[JianYang]

id say 2B for Poehling atleast , hes looking good actually

Sorry, I don't follow. 2C means 2nd line center. What is 2b?

 

[Redux91]

Saw that 2 late l0l

hahaha

 

[Redux91]

Sorry, I don't follow. 2C means 2nd line center. What is 2b?

2b either means 2nd line center or a SECOND 2nd line center! the possibilities are endless

 

[Kents polished head]

I heard he walked on the water of Bachman Lake next to the airport when he arrived to Dallas for the draft. On his way back to Finland he apparently also cured 5 people from scorbut by touching them. You're an idiot if you can't see how great "KOPITAR, TOEWS, KOIVU JESUS CHRIST V2.0 AND IMPROVED" is. I read 3 scouting reports on him and I'm more clever than anyone here!

 

[DAChampion]

Proper development:

1) 1 year in FEL.
2) 1 year in AHL.
3) Give him a privileged top six centre position in Montreal where he plays 18+ minutes a game in all situations. Give him good wingers. Protect him like they did Desharnais, Danault, and Drouin.
4) Profit.

For the love of GOD, do not rush him to the NHL, and do not expect him to "earn" a better position by playing on the bottom six.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Proper development:

1) 1 year in FEL.
2) 1 year in AHL.
3) Give him a privileged top six centre position in Montreal where he plays 18+ minutes a game in all situations. Give him good wingers. Protect him like they did Desharnais, Danault, and Drouin.
4) Profit.

For the love of GOD, do not rush him to the NHL, and do not expect him to "earn" a better position by playing on the bottom six.

You know our coach is Claude Julien, right? You might be expecting a little much when you say "do not expect him to "earn" a better position by playing on the bottom six." Claude is going to Claude, unfortunately.

 

[Koivu11]

Watch us start him on the wing like they did with Galchenyuk.

 

[DAChampion]

You know our coach is Claude Julien, right? You might be expecting a little much when you say "do not expect him to "earn" a better position by playing on the bottom six." Claude is going to Claude, unfortunately.

Two things that disgust me:

1) Desharnais, Danault, Drouin, get rushed to the top six and are given privileged minutes and the best wingers that Molson money can buy. However, Galchenyuk, Scherbak, McCarron were sent to the bottom six to "earn" a top six spot.

2) Victor Mete was rushed last year because the Habs wanted to win more regular season games.