Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Jesperi Kotkaniemi

24-Year-Old Left WingLW
Carolina Hurricanes
2024 Fantasy Outlook
Kotkaniemi is a bottom-six forward who provides skill and grit but doesn't stand out in any major statistical category related to those abilities. He finished the 2023-24 campaign with 12 goals, 27 points, 36 PIM and 56 hits in 79 regular-season games with Carolina. Although Kotkaniemi did set career highs in 2022-23 with 18 goals and 43 points, that was only the second time he's surpassed the 30-point mark across six NHL campaigns. He's noteworthy because he was taken by Monreal with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft and then dramatically snatched by Carolina with an offer sheet in 2021. However, despite being armed with an eight-year, $38.56 million contract that runs through 2029-30, it's getting harder to see the upside here. He is still just 24, so a breakout can't be entirely ruled out, but we wouldn't bet on it. Read Past Outlooks
$Signed an eight-year, $38.5 million extension with the Hurricanes in March of 2022.
Nets goal late in loss
LWCarolina Hurricanes
December 8, 2024
Kotkaniemi scored a goal in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Islanders.
ANALYSIS
Kotkaniemi tallied in the final minute of the third period, but the Hurricanes were unable to tie the score. This goal snapped a four-game point drought. The 24-year-old has been playing on the fourth line lately after losing his second-line spot to Jack Drury, though both centers see relatively small roles compared to third-liner Jordan Staal. Kotkaniemi is at four goals, 14 points, 49 shots on net, 20 PIM and a plus-6 rating through 27 appearances.
Read More News
NHL Stats
Loading Skater Stats...
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2024 NHL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Loading Skater Game Log...
2023 NHL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Loading Skater Game Log...
2022 NHL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Loading Skater Game Log...
2021 NHL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Loading Skater Game Log...
2020 NHL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Loading Skater Game Log...
2019 NHL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Loading Skater Game Log...
2018 NHL Game Log
calculator icon
Calculate Stats Over Time
Just click on any two dates.
Scoring
FanDuel
DraftKings
Yahoo DFS
FantasyDraft
Head2Head
Loading Skater Game Log...
2024–25 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    13:36
  • Average Power Play TOI:
    1:17
  • Average Short-Handed TOI:
    0:04
 
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
2022–23
14:44
1:50
0:08
2023–24
12:59
1:08
0:08
2024–25
13:36
1:17
0:04
Hurricanes Depth Chart
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Subscribe Now
Hurricanes Power Play Depth Chart
Our full team depth charts are reserved for RotoWire subscribers.
Subscribe Now
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Carolina made a big gamble when they signed Kotkaniemi to an eight-year, $38.56 million contract in March 2022. On the one hand, he was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NHL Draft and possessed enough upside to make that deal a potential steal for the Hurricanes. At the same time, though, Carolina was locking down a center who had yet to record more than 34 points in a single campaign. Fortunately for the Hurricanes, the first season of Kotkaniemi's contract was encouraging. He set career highs in goals (18) and points (43) in 82 games despite averaging a somewhat modest 14:44 of ice time. In terms of 5v5 points per 60 minutes, the 23-year-old ranked a solid sixth on the team with 1.70 among players who logged at least 10 contests. Kotkaniemi should see his role with the team grow this season while serving primarily as Carolina's second-line center. Combine that with his continued development, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him take another modest step forward offensively.
Kotkaniemi arrived in Carolina last season after signing a one-year, $6.1 million offer sheet in August 2021. The Canadiens declined to match, allowing the No. 3 overall pick from 2018 to leave town. Kotkaniemi played all of last season at age 21, so time is on his side, but his 12 goals and 29 points in 66 games make the contract seem like a massive overpay. Clearly believing in Kotkaniemi's ability, Carolina doubled down and signed him to a new eight-year, $38.5 million extension this past March. Kotkaniemi may get there eventually given his pedigree, but it's unlikely to happen in 2022-23, making him a fade in most fantasy formats.
Kotkaniemi had a strong freshman season (11 goals, 34 points in 79 games) for Montreal back in 2018-19, but the former No. 3 overall pick has managed just 11 goals and 28 points in 92 games over the past two years. He was also a healthy scratch for each of Montreal's final two games against the Lightning in the Stanley Cup final. While nothing in Kotkaniemi's profile suggests a breakout is coming this season, it's important to remember the Finn turned just 21 years of age this past July. He's played a lot of NHL hockey for such a youngster and that should help him down the line. For now, Kotkaniemi's value is mostly limited to keeper and dynasty formats.
After debuting as an 18-year-old rookie and picking up 34 points in 79 games in 2018-19, Kotkaniemi appeared in just 36 regular-season games with the Canadiens last year, picking up eight points over that span. The third overall pick from the 2018 draft did, however, fare far better during his time in the minors, racking up 13 points in 13 contests, and he played pretty well in the bubble, potting four goals in 10 playoff contests. The 20-year-old pivot will be a full-time player for the big club in 2020-21, centering the Habs' third line and second power-play unit, but it would be unwise to predict a massive leap in production from Kotkaniemi this year. He may be worth a flier in the later rounds of deeper formats, but he'll likely go undrafted in most fantasy leagues.
Kotkaniemi enjoyed a relatively successful rookie campaign in 2018-19, posting 11 goals and 23 assists while firing 134 shots on net in 79 games. Along with rookie camp and preseason action, that sounds like a lot of hockey for an 18-year-old, and it was. 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. Coach Claude Julien definitely gave the young Finn a chance to succeed, gifting him offensive zone starts 61.9 percent of the time, but it's hardly surprising that the teenager wasn't able to produce eye-popping offensive totals in his first season as a pro. With a full year in the NHL now under his belt, fantasy owners can expect Kotkaniemi to receive increased playing time in 2019-20, which should allow the third overall pick from the 2018 draft to improve his production across the board. The 6-foot-2 forward underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in April, but he should be ready to go for training camp.
Kotkaniemi spent 2017-18 playing for Assat Pori of SM-liiga -- the top Finnish hockey league -- posting 29 points over 57 games. It wasn't until a strong showing at U18s in April that the 18-year-old shot up draft boards, eventually being taken third overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft by the Canadiens. He possesses an elite mind for the game and formidable size at 6-foot-2 but may need to improve his skating to contribute at the highest level. He impressed the brass enough in rookie camp that they wouldn't rule him out for the Opening Night roster, but the most likely scenario involves him beginning the campaign in the AHL and potentially debuting at some point later in the season.
More Fantasy News
Scores game-tying goal
LWCarolina Hurricanes
November 28, 2024
Kotkaniemi scored a goal on three shots in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Rangers.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Generates helper in shootout loss
LWCarolina Hurricanes
November 23, 2024
Kotkaniemi provided an assist in Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Finds assist Sunday
LWCarolina Hurricanes
November 17, 2024
Kotkaniemi notched an assist and went plus-3 in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Blues.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Ends drought Monday
LWCarolina Hurricanes
November 12, 2024
Kotkaniemi registered a goal, an assist and six shots on goal in Monday's 5-2 win over the Golden Knights.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Finds twine in blowout win
LWCarolina Hurricanes
November 1, 2024
Kotkaniemi scored a goal and added four PIM in Thursday's 8-2 win over the Bruins.
ANALYSIS
Subscribe now to instantly reveal our take on this news.
Latest Fantasy Rumors
Buyout candidate?
LWCarolina Hurricanes
June 2, 2024
Sportsnet's Rory Boylen believes Carolina should consider buying out Kotkaniemi this offseason.
ANALYSIS
Buying out the final six seasons of Kotkaniemi's eight-year, $38.56 million contract would result in a cap charge for the Hurricanes for the next 12 seasons. It would cost Carolina $835,500 for nine years and $455,000 in three campaigns from 2027-28 to 2029-30. Carolina may use a buyout on Kotkaniemi this summer if it needs cap space to sign someone else, but it's a move that could also wait for another season or two.
See All NHL Rumors