Representing the Carolina Hurricanes for the fourth season Jesperi Kotkaniemi24, is one of the most fascinating domestic NHL stories. Although the striker from Pori is only 24 years old, on Wednesday he already recorded the 400th career NHL game under his belt.
Carolina beat the New Jersey Devils 4–2 in the match. The attacker from Pori recorded one assist point in the match.
The story of Kotkaniemi can fit a lot.
Six years ago, Montreal drafted Ässie as the third player of the first round. Just a few months later, the young Kotkaniemi debuted in the NHL in the jersey of the legendary Montreal. Kotkaniemi was clearly raw, but a rookie season with a plus mark of 34 (11+25) power points was considered a success.
After that, a more difficult period began that also led to the farm command, and the expected final breakthrough was not heard.
The continental plates moved in the summer of 2021, when the Carolina Hurricanes entered the picture. Hurricanes made Kotkaniemi an offer sheet of 6.1 million. Montreal could have kept the young Finn in their ranks by paying the same 6.1 million for the next season, but the Canadiens decided to let him go.
In Carolina, Kotkaniemi has experienced a lot.
The center forward has undoubtedly developed both physically and as a player, but the big breakthrough has still been waiting to come. The pressure on Finns has always increased, and it has not been reduced by the sums of money put on the table. After a six million deal, Carolina hit the table with $38.5 million over eight years.
Kotkaniemi has enjoyed the salary of a top player, but he has not been able to establish the role of a top player on the rink.
Carolina pilot Rod Brind’Amour has played Kotkaniemi during three years in almost every place between the first and fourth chain. From time to time, Kotkaniemi has even dropped out of the playing lineup.
Again, the position of the second center is available
In the season that has started, Kotkaniemi has a lot at stake. Carolina, weakened in the summer, has been without a second center back for a long time Sebastian Ahon behind and now this role is offered to Kotkaniemi.
In terms of basic playing, Kotkaniemi is seasoned and reliable, but now in terms of power, a whole new note should be found in the violin. The scoreless streaks of 10 or 12 games seen last season can no longer be afforded.
– If you play for superiority and you have the platforms of the top chain next to you, the result must come. If there is no result, it probably won’t work, head coach Rod Brind’Amour stated to the North American media earlier in the fall.
The player recognizes the requirement level himself.
– You have to be able to raise your own basic playing level. Every night you have to be able to meet the demands of the second center and, in addition to playing well in two directions, create surfaces, Kotkaniemi tells Urheilu.
In order to rise to a new level and lock his place as the team’s second top center, a player who recorded 18+25 power in his best season should be able to hit the table with at least sixty power points.
– You have to play well with your own head and do small things carefully. That way you get counterattack positions and attack zone time. When you get quick breaks, you get more of the puck. Then you try to stick to it and make surfaces through it, Kotkaniemi adds.
Is the level enough?
It is also appropriate to ask, does Carolina’s active way of playing serve Kotkaniemi’s characteristics in the best possible way and vice versa?
– On Kotkaniemi, there is a lot to be learned about general skating skills, such gentle stepping. A certain kind of stepping, turns and things in a small space should be brought closer to Aho’s level. Now he has to break down a bit, ‘s hockey expert Ismo Lehkonen says.
In Carolina’s way of playing, playing in the offensive zone is emphasized. Carolina applies pressure with up to four players, and the opponent should not be able to get through with the puck from under the hairline.
– Basic work in that way of playing requires insanely hard work, skating and stop-move-play. It’s a deadly tough activity, and maybe it doesn’t really support Kotkaniemi’s strengths, Lehkonen continues.
Kotkaniemi, who trained in Pori all summer, recognizes the pain point.
– I have tried to constantly improve my skating.
The Great Ice Age brings great responsibility
After all, there are high stakes in the starting season. Kotkaniemi’s career has undeniably been stuck in place for a long time and there is not much time to establish the position of the second center. It may well also be that Kotkaniemi’s last chance in Carolina for this role is at hand.
– Probably so. That’s what playing in bright lights is all about. Now a role is being offered and then you have to be able to bring to the table statistical science with a plus sign. Especially when you get to play with the upper hand and dribble around the puck quite a lot, Lehkonen states.
Kotkaniemi himself knows where to go.
– Of course, I feel more responsible now. More playing time means more responsibility. Someone has to take the role of the solver and I think it belongs to those who play the most.
As a young player, the Pori native has experienced a lot and also had to go through a lot of adversity. With these experiences, Kotkaniemi believes he is more ready.
– Have already seen a few games here and certainly grabbed some snacks. I’ve learned not to try too hard. Sometimes simple can be a really good solution to just stick to the basic game.