Prospect Info: Welcome to Montréal, Jesperi Kotkaniemi (1st round pick, 3OA 2018 - signed ELC)
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Andrei79
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- Jan 25, 2013
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Tim Burke, head scout for the Sharks, was on with Nilan today.
Nilan kept saying Kotkaniemi was a reach, but Burke wouldn't bite.
Essentially, he loved what the Canadiens did drafting Kotkaniemi, called him a "very good" (with emphasis) player and one of the BPAs at 3rd. Didn't seem to think it was a reach, at all. He seemed to really like JK actually.
Nilan kept saying Kotkaniemi was a reach, but Burke wouldn't bite.
Essentially, he loved what the Canadiens did drafting Kotkaniemi, called him a "very good" (with emphasis) player and one of the BPAs at 3rd. Didn't seem to think it was a reach, at all. He seemed to really like JK actually.
Doesn't mean he will improve like them. We can also find awesome junior players who turn to nothing.
That's not really the point. You asked for an area of concern about his game, I said his skating.
I'm not saying he is the worst skater ever at his age, I'm not saying he won't improve either.
Sure be excited. Just don't tell me that the kid who played center as a 17yo and put up 29pts is definitely a top line center for us.
Contain your excitement a bit and realize much needs to happen before this actually comes true.
I thought it was interesting that he also seemed to not care much about advanced stats.
FLHabs
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I'm getting a stronger feeling that Kotkaniemi will become a good one for the habs. I've only watched a few games, shift by shift videos and highlights, so take this lil scouting report for what it's worth haha.
From what I can see, he has the potential to become elite defensively. His defensive iq and positioning is so good. He always seems to be anticipating the plays or playing the percentages like 10 year vet. Not only his defensive iq and positioning excellent, but he carries these same attributes in the offensive zone also. More often than not, he finds himself open to receive a pass or get open for a scoring chance. One thing about his play in the o-zone that impresses me is that he is in constant motion. His feet are always moving, and his movements aren't random. He's always trying to either find quiet spots or support the play along the boards. Talking about battling along the boards, he's already really good at it. He has a great compete level, and already knows how to use his body to protect the puck. He's also really good at finding teammates and hit them with a quick pass. He's kind of the opposite in the defensive zone where he's more of a glider. That's no knock though, he's just being efficient in his movements and surveys what's going on and playing the percentages. When he sees an opening to make a play, he is quick and decisive with his actions.
One thing that I noticed about Kotkaniemi is that he's really good with his stick. He's 6'2", long arms, and uses a pretty long stick. He has good hand-eye coordination too which helps him use his stick to knock pucks off sticks and deflect/intercept passes. He's gonna create lots of problems in the neutral zone and will more often than not disrupt the opponents transition game. He will also gives defenders headaches on the forecheck. He will be even more effective on the smaller NA ice. A real 200 feet player.
For those that have concerns about his speed and skating... Well, let me just say that he's not a speedster, but he's definitely not slow. Honestly, he has a pretty good top speed. He has long powerful strides, but he will need to work on his first steps and improve his acceleration. He kind of remind me of Jagr a bit with the way he skates and his posture. He (Kotkaniemi) hunches his back when he skates which keeps his center of gravity low and makes him harder to knock 0ff the puck. I also noticed that his turns seemed a bit wide, but take that last one with a grain of salt. The thing is, his game is cerebral and not built on speed and skating, if Kotkamiemi ever becomes a fast and agile skater, he will be truly dominant defensively. Other than that, he's only 17 and will work hard the next couple years to refine his skills and technique.
As for his pure offensive skills, I don't think he has fully tapped into them yet. I've seen him make a few nice dekes. He has really good hands in tight space that makes him really effective along the boards and on the cycle. He's a good passer with nice vision and top notch decision making. I also think he has the potential to develop a pretty deadly shot that is both accurate and powerful. Even after all this though, his mind is what really puts it all together. He's just fun to watch out there, and not because he's flashy and exciting, but because he's so smart. I think having a coach as a dad has really helped him comprehend the game at a deeper level than most players his age. Plus, he's only gonna get wiser, stronger, bigger, faster, more skilled, etc as he grows as a player.
One other thing I forgot to add is how he played during the u18, and especially during the final against the USA. He was matched up most game against "boy wonder" jack Hughes and really looked good against him. Of course Hughes was more dynamic, but I feel like Kotkaniemi was able to keep up with his speed and agility and pretty much kept him in check most of the time they were facing each other on the ice. I'm pretty sure the USA coach was trying his best to avoid that matchup. The fact that Kotkaniemi can hold his own against a consensus #1 pick bodes well for his future in the big show.
I truly believe we have got a good one here with Kotkaniemi. There's no doubt in my mind that he has #1 center potential and I'm sure the habs management feels the same way. Just the fact that he's playing the way he is against men at 17 y.o. makes me confident he will have success in the NHL down the line. We just got to be a bit patient with him. I'm confident he could start in the nhl by the 2019 season, but I'd rather have him play the year in Finland this year as a center, than a full year in the AHL as the #1 center logging big minutes in all situations. Only after that we should start talking NHL.
Ok lol, that was a waaay longer post than expected haha, I just started writing an didn't stop until I felt I gave my complete analysis on Kotkaniemi. I'm sure I still forgot a few things though, but this will do. Again this is my view of him as a player, some is based on what I saw from the footage, some is based on my projections. I'm no scout, just your average hockey fan that had a small sample size of footage to work with haha.
So yea I'll leave you guys with this:
From what I can see, he has the potential to become elite defensively. His defensive iq and positioning is so good. He always seems to be anticipating the plays or playing the percentages like 10 year vet. Not only his defensive iq and positioning excellent, but he carries these same attributes in the offensive zone also. More often than not, he finds himself open to receive a pass or get open for a scoring chance. One thing about his play in the o-zone that impresses me is that he is in constant motion. His feet are always moving, and his movements aren't random. He's always trying to either find quiet spots or support the play along the boards. Talking about battling along the boards, he's already really good at it. He has a great compete level, and already knows how to use his body to protect the puck. He's also really good at finding teammates and hit them with a quick pass. He's kind of the opposite in the defensive zone where he's more of a glider. That's no knock though, he's just being efficient in his movements and surveys what's going on and playing the percentages. When he sees an opening to make a play, he is quick and decisive with his actions.
One thing that I noticed about Kotkaniemi is that he's really good with his stick. He's 6'2", long arms, and uses a pretty long stick. He has good hand-eye coordination too which helps him use his stick to knock pucks off sticks and deflect/intercept passes. He's gonna create lots of problems in the neutral zone and will more often than not disrupt the opponents transition game. He will also gives defenders headaches on the forecheck. He will be even more effective on the smaller NA ice. A real 200 feet player.
For those that have concerns about his speed and skating... Well, let me just say that he's not a speedster, but he's definitely not slow. Honestly, he has a pretty good top speed. He has long powerful strides, but he will need to work on his first steps and improve his acceleration. He kind of remind me of Jagr a bit with the way he skates and his posture. He (Kotkaniemi) hunches his back when he skates which keeps his center of gravity low and makes him harder to knock 0ff the puck. I also noticed that his turns seemed a bit wide, but take that last one with a grain of salt. The thing is, his game is cerebral and not built on speed and skating, if Kotkamiemi ever becomes a fast and agile skater, he will be truly dominant defensively. Other than that, he's only 17 and will work hard the next couple years to refine his skills and technique.
As for his pure offensive skills, I don't think he has fully tapped into them yet. I've seen him make a few nice dekes. He has really good hands in tight space that makes him really effective along the boards and on the cycle. He's a good passer with nice vision and top notch decision making. I also think he has the potential to develop a pretty deadly shot that is both accurate and powerful. Even after all this though, his mind is what really puts it all together. He's just fun to watch out there, and not because he's flashy and exciting, but because he's so smart. I think having a coach as a dad has really helped him comprehend the game at a deeper level than most players his age. Plus, he's only gonna get wiser, stronger, bigger, faster, more skilled, etc as he grows as a player.
One other thing I forgot to add is how he played during the u18, and especially during the final against the USA. He was matched up most game against "boy wonder" jack Hughes and really looked good against him. Of course Hughes was more dynamic, but I feel like Kotkaniemi was able to keep up with his speed and agility and pretty much kept him in check most of the time they were facing each other on the ice. I'm pretty sure the USA coach was trying his best to avoid that matchup. The fact that Kotkaniemi can hold his own against a consensus #1 pick bodes well for his future in the big show.
I truly believe we have got a good one here with Kotkaniemi. There's no doubt in my mind that he has #1 center potential and I'm sure the habs management feels the same way. Just the fact that he's playing the way he is against men at 17 y.o. makes me confident he will have success in the NHL down the line. We just got to be a bit patient with him. I'm confident he could start in the nhl by the 2019 season, but I'd rather have him play the year in Finland this year as a center, than a full year in the AHL as the #1 center logging big minutes in all situations. Only after that we should start talking NHL.
Ok lol, that was a waaay longer post than expected haha, I just started writing an didn't stop until I felt I gave my complete analysis on Kotkaniemi. I'm sure I still forgot a few things though, but this will do. Again this is my view of him as a player, some is based on what I saw from the footage, some is based on my projections. I'm no scout, just your average hockey fan that had a small sample size of footage to work with haha.
So yea I'll leave you guys with this:
He needs to do something very impressive for me to be surprised. I'll happily wait for him to do it at the NHL. And again, I am not knocking him down, I simply have a higher bar of what impresses me.
Lighten up...Kotkaniemi is not the solution to our problems. Those didn't disappear because we drafted this kid. I am fully supportive of this kid though, hope he becomes awesome/
dackelljuneaubulis02
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- Oct 13, 2012
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wow. amazing read. thanks for that. kid sounds great. i like that most people are echoing my thoughts that he just has a TON of room to grow.
He could definitely be ONE of the solutions. I think him being at least a #2 is fairly likely. We need one of those as well, let alone a #1.
I think his ceiling is quite high. He's got that crazy reach and if he can learn to protect the puck well, he'll be a nightmare to try and knock the puck off once he fills out. I was way more hyped about the Galchenyuk pick but I feel like Kotka's game ,though less flashy, will translate better.
Redux91
I do Three bullets.
I agree, was waaaaaaaaaaaaaay more hyped about Galchenyuk i thought he was the steal of the decade..
and i completely agree, it just feels like Kotka's game translates too well to not work , 60 points and amazing defense can for SURE be a number 1 C
It's ok if he becomes our #2 C... Jack Hughes will be our #1.
TheBuriedHab
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- Jan 27, 2010
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I definitely don't see the Barkov comparison either. Barkov is a special player, hes got the Russian skills and the Finish work ethic. While Kotkaniemi has good to very good hands, Barkov is a natural dangler that very few in the nhl can meet. Different players.
TheBuriedHab
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- Jan 27, 2010
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Great write up! I always appreciate people putting in the time to properly evaluate players. I'm glad you see a lot of what I do!
I have no problem with that.
Let's see how he develops his game next year and take it from there.
Mrb1p
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Not hated, but he'll have a lot less hype. If we picked Zadina, he'd have less upside than Kotkaniemi, if we picked Hughes, hed be too small, etc...
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