Sad announcement from Hurricanes: bad news for Kotkaniemi in Montreal

Indeed, even though it's normally customary to play a player against his former team, the former third overall pick of the Canadiens in 2018 might receive some bad news.

In fact, the 23-year-old Finnish forward was rotating on the fourth unit in practice, which speaks volumes about the role he now occupies in Carolina.

With only 9 points in his last 52 games, KK is no longer able to earn a spot as a regular fourth-line player... Ouch!

It should be noted that Noesen, Drury, and Fast are all players that head coach Rod Brind'Amour highly appreciates.

Kotkaniemi, and his hefty contract of $4.82 million for another six years, has truly become a burden in the Hurricanes' lineup. His place in the starting lineup against the Canadiens tonight, at the Bell Centre, has even become improbable.

The development of the young man has completely derailed, and it's really sad to see. It feels like the end for him in Carolina, as there's increasing talk about the possibility of a contract buyout occurring during the next offseason.