Shocking Turnaround for Jesperi Kotkaniemi in Carolina: The Canadiens Dodged a Bullet

After a promising start with six goals and 13 points in his first 14 games, it seemed he was finally establishing himself as a top forward in the NHL at 23 years old.

However, inexplicably, the former third overall pick of the Canadiens in 2018 hit a massive slump in the following 31 games.

He only managed two goals and a mere five points during this stretch. That's a significant drop in production!

What's worse is that the Finnish forward was getting substantial quality ice time in each game, had a spot on the power play, and was leading the team's second line.

Gradually, he lost the confidence of head coach Rod Brind'Amour, who reduced his playing time, removed him from the regular power play unit, and most recently, demoted him to centering the fourth line.

Journalist Mathias Brunet from La Presse sums up Kotkaniemi's situation aptly.

Things are not looking good for KK in Carolina, as he is currently in the second year of a massive eight-year contract, with an average annual salary of $4.82 million.

For a player delivering support-level performances, it's costly for the Carolina organization to have him on a fourth-line role.