Now, he’s become the fastest rising player in the draft class and a guy most fan bases are clamoring over. He put up six points in seven games as an underage player and helped Finland to the silver medal. While he may be considered a bit of a reach over some of the other players who will be available when the Blackhawks are on the clock, Kotkaniemi’s potential as a high-end center could make him a worthy choice. He has the stickhandling ability to protect the puck on the cycle and extend plays to find an open teammate. Strong on his skates in his possessions and very effective on the defensive side. What others are saying “Alert and versatile forward with good speed and a wide range of attributes who has performed well beyond expectations as a 17-year-old playing key minutes in Finland’s top league. The stars of the 2018 U-18 World Championship team will take center stage this year, while a couple of future first-round picks are set to make their presence felt. Kotkaniemi anticipates the movements of his teammates and can get them the puck in good scoring areas. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images). [, Thanks to the expanded NHL rosters, there are 91 players who’ve spent time in the ECHL in Phase 3 camps. He played key minutes in the 2019 edition of the tournament and will do so again as a top-six forward. In today’s links, Brendan Gallagher’s contract impasse, Marc Bergevin’s transformation of the Canadiens, and taking stock of the first week of free agency. He makes up for an average first step with excellent awareness and anticipation, and he’s difficult to knock off the puck once he maintains control. Sign up today to get the best features and analysis from the NHL and beyond. Kotkaniemi could prove to be the long-term answer to replace Jonathan Toews, giving the Blackhawks a one-two center punch of Kotkaniemi and Schmaltz. 23. When it comes to scoring goals, his quick release is his greatest attribute. Anton Lindholm and Dennis Gilbert are also in the trade. Will he be able to improve on his acceleration especially against players who have that first step? Get all the latest stats, news, videos and more on Jesperi Kotkaniemi 2018 NHL Draft Prospect Profile: Jesperi Kotkaniemi Kotkaniemi has gone from one of the most underrated players in the draft to a kid everyone wants. Submit your own scouting profile & videos. The Hawks’ forward prospect pool is relatively weak, so adding Kotkaniemi could go a long way to replenishing the forward group as the Stanley Cup core continues to age. Is that legal in the NHL? Max Domi is likely to receive a new contract but Nate Thompson, Nick Cousins and Michael Peca have smaller chances of re-signing. Another important thing to note is Kotkaniemi will be under contract in Finland for another two seasons, meaning he could not step into the lineup for another three years. [. I have three questions overall about Kotkaniemi. Finland's strength on the blueline is its cadre of speedy, puck-moving rearguards. His strengths go well beyond his play with the puck. Subscribe to The Hockey News magazine. This past season, Kotkaniemi had 10 goals and 19 assists over 57 games in the same league. Projection Kotkaniemi is widely viewed as the only prospect with the capability of developing into a first line center. The Finnish player is a goal-scorer, a playmaker, a powerplay quarterback and a penalty killer. He tired over the course of the year, and as a result, his playing time dipped below 13 minutes per contest over the final five weeks of the season. NHL Draft Eligibility: 2018 first-year eligible. Although he comes across as a playmaker rather than a finisher, Kotkaniemi has an excellent shot/release combination and can corral a puck in traffic and still wire it on net. Kotkaniemi is also a good playmaker, with good vision and passing skills. Kotkaniemi just completed his first full season in Finland’s top men’s professional league Liiga. 2019 Stats. G. 6. Kotkaniemi is a central figure on the power play, where he likes to control the puck along the wall and look for backdoor cutters or point men open in the high slot. His line of 10-19-29 in 57 games is extremely impressive for someone of his age. Not only is he already playing professional hockey, he is doing so at a level that compares favorably to players that are having success in the NHL at a young age. At 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, he's not a big kid, but he possesses tremendous puck-handling ability and has a nose for the net, evidenced by his eight-goal, 10-point performance at the 2018 U-18 World Championship. One skill that stands out is his playmaking ability — Kotkaniemi is quite creative with the puck and threads the needle with ease. Kotkaniemi has high-end hockey sense. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix. “Alert and versatile forward with good speed and a wide range of attributes who has performed well beyond expectations as a 17-year-old playing key minutes in Finland’s top league. When he plays internationally with Finland, Kotkaniemi has filled the role as the 1C as well as the lynch-pin of the first penalty-kill unit. Player profile for Jesperi Kotkaniemi (C). Complete player biography and stats. Heinola, in particular, is a smart defender who rarely makes poor decisions when distributing the puck and can run the team's second power-play unit. Ht: 6’2” Wt: 190 lbs Jason Chen breaks down this free-agency period's biggest trades and how they will affect each player's fantasy value heading into next season. He is able to thread the needle through traffic to hit a teammate with a perfect pass for a high-quality scoring chance. The backup goaltender position has been solidified. Sasha Yodashkin is back with his recommendations for Sunday’s five-game playoff slate, rolling with the Stars’ Miro Heiskanen in Game 4 against Calgary. Timeline As mentioned, Kotkaniemi has two years left on his contract with Assat in Finland, meaning the soonest he could come to North America would be 2020–21. Jesperi Kotkaniemi I wrote about Kotkaniemi last week so I won’t spill more digital ink on it but I envision Kotkaniemi moving up the lineup as I do Cirelli, just in a different manner. Simontaival has lightning-quick hands. Kotkaniemi had a tough second year and he suffered a spleen injury after being demoted to AHL Laval. It shouldn't come as a surprise given the team's results in international play over the past few years. Kotkaniemi has enough speed to get around defenders and drive to the net, but is happy slowing play down as well, which he does well with his great hockey sense. Next 3 weeks should be busy for the Blackhawks. When playing internationally against guys his own age, he has show the strength necessary to carry the puck through traffic, particularly through the neutral zone. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. “A smart forward with a dangerous shot, Kotkaniemi possesses a high hockey IQ and determination with the skills to back it up. He’s not slow and very strong on his skates, so while his skating is what keeps him from being a top-3 pick in this year’s draft class, it’s still well above average. Brendan Gallagher signs six-year extension with the Montreal Canadiens, Report: Contract extension talks between Marc Bergevin, Brendan Gallagher break off. Jesperi Kotkaniemi is a big Finnish center who many regard as being the top centerman available in the draft. When looking for a weakness in his game, some will point to his skating. He might even be the firs center taken in the draft. Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers. This past fall, Jesperi Kotkaniemi started off as a quiet favorite for those of us who pay attention to draft prospect. Jordan Mazzara goes back to the well with veteran Habs netminder Carey Price in Tuesday’s Game 4 against Philadelphia. But just look at the fourth line: all three are NHL draft picks capable of playing significant minutes at this tournament. An early projection of Finland's 2020 World Junior Championship roster. Want to know more about Jesperi Kotkaniemi fantasy statistics and analytics? Jason Chen likes the look of a Blackhawks stack in their Game 3 on Wednesday against Edmonton. He is not afraid to keep the puck on his stick and drive to the net. He’s a good defender as well. Date of Birth: July 6, 2000 Love this prospect and wonder if both Wahlstrom and he are available at 8 who they will draft? He carried that strong play into this summer’s Ivan Hlinka tournament, where he scored four points in four games. Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Jesperi Kotkaniemi. He has the stickhandling ability to protect the puck on the cycle and extend plays to find an open teammate. Now, there is little doubt that he will be selected in the top half of the first round. Kotkaniemi has a very good wrist shot featuring a high-end release. Nousiainen is a perfect example of that: just 5-foot-9, the undersized defender is a wizard with the puck and plays with pace. While Kotkaniemi is by no means an elite skater, he is able to hold his own. Although he comes across as a playmaker rather than a finisher, Kotkaniemi has an excellent shot/release combination and can corral a puck in traffic and still wire it on net. Kotkaniemi comes across as a smart, clean player with or without the puck and can play either center or wing. He can lead the rush on his own or find the open player and utilize his pinpoint passing. Strong on his skates and heavily involved in puck battles, Kotkaniemi is highly reliable on odd-man rushes but also nimble enough to cut sharply across the grain and throw defenders into a state of confusion.”, “Kotkaniemi has good size. [, The coach of the year award will go to one of Bruce Cassidy, Alain Vigneault, and John Tortorella. NHL Central Scouting Final: 6th (European), Jesperi Kotkaniemi Profile – eurohockey.com, Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Future Considerations, Brendan Gallagher Signs Six-Year Extension with the Montreal Canadiens, Time for Oilers’ Puljujarvi to Turn Promise into Performance, Rangers Fall Into Pitfall Of Veteran Presence, Again, Maple Leafs News & Rumors: What Joe Thornton Would Bring to the Team, Flames & Treliving Take a Gamble on Tanev, Oilers News & Rumors: Markstrom, Barrie, Nugent-Hopkins, Condors…, Ranking Every Calder Trophy Winner Since 2005, Prospects News & Rumors: Stützle, Ponomaryov & Wisdom, NHL Rumors: Canadiens, Golden Knights, Oilers, Lightning, More.
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