Carolina has been home to Jesperi Kotkaniemi for the past three years. To exact revenge for Sebastian Aho’s offer and give him a fresh start away from Montreal, the Hurricanes snatched him away from the Canadiens in the summer of 2021 with an offer sheet. The chance to acquire a center who could rank in the top six was there, and it was clear that they still had faith in his abilities. And the club nevertheless signed him to an eight-year deal, beginning in 2022–23, even if he got off to a sluggish start. However, KK has failed to advance since then, and the Hurricanes are likely beginning to feel some remorse for that decision.
It stings to be a competitive team and pay $4.82 million a year until 2030 for a player who doesn’t contribute to a top-6. So, you’d think the team would be happy to be out of that terrible contract, right? Additionally, Eric Duhatschek recently addressed the Canes’ predicament in an article for The Athletic, stating: In my opinion, the Flames would benefit from a deal involving Jesperi Kotkaniemi. According to Eric Duhatschek According to the reporter, KK could use a change of environment or more playing time. Even though no other team is expected to have more cap room than the Flames, they still require assistance at center.
The Flames are likely the only team in the NHL right now that can afford to take that risk. yet the willingness to do it remains a prerequisite. To convince Calgary to release them from this contract, the Hurricanes would have to pay a pretty money, regardless of whether the Flames still believe in the Finn’s potential. At the age of 24, he hasn’t (yet?) demonstrated that he merits such a substantial financial commitment—six years at approximately $5 million per annum. Although it would be a complicated move, the Canes would benefit financially from trading Kotkaniemi as they have just under $12 million in cap space and need to trade Seth Jarvis, Martin Necas, and Jack Drury this summer.
