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

[Anardil]

How bout the long awaited big body franco centerman: Alexandre Crochet-Nouveau?

As a Quebecker, I'm embarrased to admit that it took me a while to figure out who you were talking about. At this point in time I still prefer Hughes or Dach.

 

[JuicyHam]

Two things that disgust me:

1) Desharnais, Danault, Drouin, get rushed to the top six and are given privileged minutes. However, Galchenyuk, Scherbak, McCarron were sent to the bottom six.

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

Danault started on the fourth line and was part of what was easily one of the best fourth lines in the league and moved his way up the line-up with injuries. Also, McCarron shouldn't be mentioned in the same context as Galchenyuk or Scherbak he just hasn't been good enough.

 

[DAChampion]

Danault started on the fourth line and was part of what was easily one of the best fourth lines in the league and moved his way up the line-up with injuries. Also, McCarron shouldn't be mentioned in the same context as Galchenyuk or Scherbak he just hasn't been good enough.

McCarron started with twenty points in twenty games, but the coaching staff has been against him. They actively discouraged him from scoring goals which is ridiculous. Do you think that Danault was ever discouraged from scoring goals? There you go.

Danault was bumped up to the top six and stayed there in spite of not being effective. Julien placed him with Radulov and Pacioretty in 2017, and that's why the Rangers won. Danault isnti like Subban and Eller, he gets de-activated during the playoffs. He's like Plekanec. He might be ok on the third or fourth line.

 

[BB88]

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

To get ready for that situation it's very important Kotka plays fulltime C untill he becomes NHL regular.

 

[Anardil]

Lol... some of you guys kill me

I know right? How about:

Zadina= Ryder
Kotkaniemi= Kopitar/Toews.

See how easy that was?

 

[DAChampion]

I know right? How about:

Zadina= Ryder
Kotkaniemi= Kopitar/Toews.

See how easy that was?

Player comparisons are usually uninformed.

I remember when Joonas Nattinen was drafted: "He's like Saku Koivu, but with size."

Whatever.

 

[montreal]

Interested to see him this upcoming season, but I wouldn't pencil him in the AHL or NHL the following year. I hate seeing us rush prospects and I'm against 19 year olds in the AHL unless he has an unreal season. Might as well just wait and see how it goes for him. I trust Timmins as his record inside the top 10 shows he will find talent for sure.

 

[Redux91]

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.

Dude, they forced Claudes hand with Drouin, and they will do it with this kid, they literally have no choice, they put themselves into that position by taking him at 3, they will give him the opportunities..i just agree with others that just dont RUSH him

 

[Gsus]

Remember that this guy is only 17 years old. If you worry like that woman in the draft crowd, think about Jesse Puljujärvi. Puljujärvi is a winger and 20 years old. Kotkaniemi projects as a centre and has actually played centre in Liiga. Most games as a winger but some as a centre. The guy has no real flaws.

I can think of a scenario where the Habs draft Zadina and still lack a 1/2C. Why's that? Because Zadina is a winger. If you really wanted and needed a centre Kotkaniemi probably is your guy this draft.

I'll probably provide some updates on him since Ässät is my team and I follow them closely throughout the year.

 

[sandviper]

Dude, they forced Claudes hand with Drouin, and they will do it with this kid, they literally have no choice, they put themselves into that position by taking him at 3, they will give him the opportunities..i just agree with others that just dont RUSH him

Normally I believe players need to earn their spots but when you’re of a certain pedigree, you need to be given more rope. As a #3 overall pick, and with the expectation he’ll be developing as a full time center next year under his dad, he MUST be put into opportunities to succeed and allowed to learn from mistakes.

 

[yianik]

We fortunately don't have MT here any longer to show Kotkaniemi who the "Boss " is and play his little mind games.

But as has been said, CJ is definitely a start him on the bottom and let him earn his way up kind of guy. And God help him if his defensive play isn't up to par. I have no doubt Drouin was forced into CJ as the top C by MB.

As to Danault, he earned his way up, and he was the best we had.

As to DD, he played MTs kind of game. Dump it in. DD only handled the puck in the O zone which is what MT wanted. No risk taking. Chucky and Eller would handle the puck in the neutral zone and play east west to try to create plays. MT hates that kind of play.

I actually hope that after MB, CJ moves on as well. We need a Gallant, Maurice kind of coach here, after 25 years of tbis.

 

[The Great Weal]

Already sucks according to main board, he is a true hab now.

 

[montreal]

I'd worry about who's the NHL coach when he gets to the NHL as I don't see it being this year and who knows what happens after that. We might see a lockout, we might have a new GM and he will likely want to name his own coach and not someone that thinks it's 1990's hockey.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Dude, they forced Claudes hand with Drouin, and they will do it with this kid, they literally have no choice, they put themselves into that position by taking him at 3, they will give him the opportunities..i just agree with others that just dont RUSH him

I don't necessarily think that Claude was forced with Drouin, I think it was more likely that him and MB discussed it in the beginning and it was agreed to give him an extended look, but after 50-60 games it should have been quite clear that Drouin is a winger. MB ought to be closer to the hotseat than Claude is. I don't see how MB has any power to force Claude's behavior, if so, Claude's worse than I thought. Anyhow, CJ has history of this in Boston too.

 

[Redux91]

I don't necessarily think that Claude was forced with Drouin, I think it was more likely that him and MB discussed it in the beginning and it was agreed to give him an extended look, but after 50-60 games it should have been quite clear that Drouin is a winger. MB ought to be closer to the hotseat than Claude is. I don't see how MB has any power to force Claude's behavior, if so, Claude's worse than I thought. Anyhow, CJ has history of this in Boston too.

1 - Oh they discussed it, but just picture claude nodding the whole time and saying nothing
2- It's MB that's worse than you thought.

 

[DAChampion]

Statement: Julien is fine just following orders and collecting his paycheck.

Proof: He kept Therrien's assistant coaches.

QED.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Nice, 3rd line LW, right ?

Hopefully this habs management doesn't f*** it up, or they're gone.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Statement: Julien is fine just following orders and collecting his paycheck.

Proof: He kept Therrien's assistant coaches.

QED.

True enough.

 

[Link67]

Already sucks according to main board, he is a true hab now.

Oh man literally vacuumed the thought out of my head, this fanbase is the worst sometimes I swear I don't know what all these people are talking about "Best fans in the world", a foolish title we think we own. Just because we are the loudest fans doesn't mean the noise makes much sense, or that we are the most Passionate, doesn't mean that passion is very positive.

Seems like we are more passionate about being negative, seems like we are the loudest because we are always whining and complaining about something. Want to harp on this Management for not addressing our top 6C or our LD, go ahead, those are valid points. Whining about a 17 year old regarded as the best C in the draft before he even plays a single minute in North America, 2 days after he is drafted. We want to litter the web with our negative comments about this kid 5 to 1 compared to postive ones? Pictures and Gifs of the idiots wearing Habs Jerseys in the Draft crowd making dumbfounded faces or acting like we picked Dale Weise 3rd Overall. I for one am rooting hardcore for this kid to come in and make you negative nancys gag on crow not just eat it. As much as that would be entertaining, it also helps the team immensely if he comes in and becomes the top C he can potentially become. 2 birds 1 stone, even in the wake of the Crow genocide I hope he brings.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Coconut's yummy.

 

[BrendanGallagher11]

I know right? How about:

Zadina= Ryder
Kotkaniemi= Kopitar/Toews.

See how easy that was?

Kotk is kopitar
Hayton is toews
Zadina is jagr

 

[Adam Michaels]

Very informative article on contract options for Kotkaniemi:

What are the contract options for Jesperi Kotkaniemi?

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[BenchBrawl]

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

come on...

The only prospect video that reminded me of Lemieux was when I watched Malkin's vid when he was drafted.He became a great player, still light years behind Mario.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

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

I'm not too sure if he can be a top notch #1 but could be a very respectable one. The one thing I'm very convinced of which Timmins and most other people think is that he has a LOT of room to improve which is amazing. I don't think you can say the same about Zadina. If Kotkaniemi can continue to improve his skating then he could be an absolute force.