Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Buries goal in loss
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Kotkaniemi scored a goal on six shots in Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Senators.
Kotkaniemi has two points over the last two games after being limited to one assist in 10 outings prior to his recent undisclosed injury. He projects to be a middle-six option for the Hurricanes heading into the playoffs. Kotkaniemi finished the regular season at 12 goals, 21 assists, 115 shots on net, 66 hits, 50 PIM and a plus-9 rating across 78 appearances.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Logs helper in return
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Kotkaniemi notched an assist and three hits in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Canadiens.
Kotkaniemi missed four games due to an undisclosed injury. With the Hurricanes resting many of their top players, including their whole top line, Kotkaniemi received 17:16 of ice time Wednesday, his third-highest total of the season. That should remove any doubts about his health heading into the postseason, though it wouldn't be surprising for him to rest Thursday versus the Senators just to be safe. Overall, the Finn has 32 points, 109 shots on net, 66 hits, 50 PIM and a plus-9 rating over 77 contests.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Slated to suit up Wednesday
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Kotkaniemi (undisclosed) is expected to be available for Wednesday's road matchup against the Canadiens, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.
Kotkaniemi has been out of the lineup due to his undisclosed injury since April 5. Prior to getting hurt, the 2018 first-round selection had registered just one helper over a 10-game span, so perhaps the time off will benefit the 24-year-old with postseason play on the horizon. Kotkaniemi has chipped in 11 goals, 31 points and a plus-9 rating across 76 appearances in 2024-25.
Kotkaniemi (undisclosed) will be sidelined "for at least a week," according to head coach Rod Brind'Amour, per Cory Lavalette of the North State Journal on Tuesday.
Kotkaniemi figures to miss at least the Canes' next four games based on his timeline -- though it could certainly be longer. Even with the return of Jordan Staal (lower body), the absence of Kotkaniemi will likely force Jack Roslovic into the second-line center role.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Bothered by injury Saturday
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Kotkaniemi tweaked something and didn't play in the third period of Saturday's 5-1 loss to the Bruins, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.
The Hurricanes were well behind, but head coach Rod Brind'Amour said Kotkaniemi will be evaluated further Sunday, so this looks to be more than just a precautionary move. The Hurricanes have no extra healthy forwards available, so they'd likely have to dress seven defensemen for Tuesday's game versus the Sabres unless they call up another forward.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Puts up helper Sunday
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Kotkaniemi notched an assist, two shots on goal, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Ducks.
Kotkaniemi hasn't scored since Feb. 1, and he has just five helpers over his last 17 contests. He's been on a line with Taylor Hall and Jack Roslovic recently, but that hasn't helped ignite Kotkaniemi's offense. The 24-year-old is up to 31 points, 102 shots on net, 48 PIM, 58 hits and a plus-10 rating over 70 appearances. He's done better than in a 27-point 2023-24, but he won't come close to his career-best 43-point total from 2022-23.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Plates two helpers
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Kotkaniemi dished two assists and tallied two shots on goal in Friday's 4-2 win against Detroit.
Kotkaniemi had a productive second period by tallying the primary assist on goals by Taylor Hall and Jack Roslovic. With his helpers, the 24-year-old Kotkaniemi eclipsed the 30-point mark in 66 appearances this season. After a five-game drought of finding his name off the scoresheet, Kotkaniemi is slowly getting into a rhythm with four points in his past eight games. With the Hurricanes mixing up line combinations, Kotkaniemi is currently centering Carolina's second unit at even strength and on the power play. If he has a few more performances like Friday's, Kotkaniemi could have sneaky value for the fantasy playoffs.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Snaps scoreless streak with apple
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Kotkaniemi recorded an assist, four shots on goal and had a plus-1 rating in Thursday's 5-2 victory over the Sabres.
Kotkaniemi snapped a five-game scoreless streak with a secondary assist on Taylor Hall's first goal with the Hurricanes. Perhaps the 24-year-old turned a corner Thursday -- despite picking up a fighting major in the first four seconds of the game that limited his ice time to 11:53, he recorded his most shots on goal in a game since Jan. 2. However, in a very crowded Carolina forward room, it's tough to see the former Canadien being able to build on this in any meaningful way for fantasy managers aside from deeper leagues.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Scores in Saturday's loss
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Kotkaniemi scored a goal in Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Kings.
Kotkaniemi bounced back after seeing his five-game point streak end Thursday in Chicago. The 24-year-old forward opened the scoring Saturday, though the Hurricanes' lead was short-lived, as Phillip Danault tied the game 2:35 later in the first period. Kotkaniemi is up to 11 goals and 26 points through 53 outings this season, one point shy of matching his total from 79 regular-season contests in 2023-24. He's added 81 shots on net, 48 hits, 37 PIM and a plus-7 rating in 2024-25.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Assist, fight in overtime loss
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Kotkaniemi registered an assist and seven PIM in Saturday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Islanders.
Kotkaniemi has four goals and an assist during a four-game point streak. The Hurricanes' trade for Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall on Friday will lead to some tinkering of the forward lines until head coach Rod Brind'Amour finds combinations he likes, so it's possible Kotkaniemi could move around the lineup a bit. He's still centering the second line for now, and he won't have to worry about Jack Drury pushing him for that spot -- he was dealt to Colorado as part of the price paid for Rantanen. Kotkaniemi is at 24 points, 79 shots on net, 47 hits, 37 PIM and a plus-9 rating over 50 contests in 2024-25.
Kotkaniemi scored a goal Thursday in a 7-4 win over the Blue Jackets.
Kotkaniemi has a three-game, four-goal streak on the go after scoring once in the previous 16. He now has 10 goals, 13 assists and 79 shots in 49 games with the Canes. Kotkaniemi is in his seventh season and on pace to perhaps hit 40 points. What you see is what you get, and that means his fantasy value is likely limited to deep formats that count forwards, not centers. Pivot formats are too deep to roll a guy who scores at his pace.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Scores both goals in win
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Kotkaniemi scored two goals on three shots in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Stars.
Kotkaniemi has scored three times over his last two games. The 24-year-old forward has yet to post a point streak longer than three contests this season -- that lack of consistency makes it tough to believe that he'll be able to sustain his recent success. Overall, he's at nine goals, 22 points, 77 shots on net, 45 hits, 30 PIM and a plus-6 rating through 48 appearances.
Kotkaniemi scored a goal and added two hits in Monday's 4-3 overtime win over the Blackhawks.
This was his first goal and third point over 10 outings in January. Kotkaniemi has bounced between the second and fourth lines this season, but he has not often been reliable enough to be helpful in fantasy. Overall, the 24-year-old has 20 points, 74 shots on net, 44 hits, 30 PIM, 20 blocked shots and a plus-5 rating across 47 appearances.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Gathers helper
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Kotkaniemi notched an assist and two shots on goal in Wednesday's 4-2 loss to the Sabres.
Kotkaniemi helped out on a Jaccob Slavin tally in the third period. The assist snapped a six-game slump for Kotkaniemi, who continues to be inconsistent on offense while logging middle-six minutes for the Hurricanes. The 24-year-old has six goals, 13 assists, 72 shots on net, 41 hits, 28 PIM and a plus-4 rating across 45 outings this season. His sporadic production makes him tough to roster over long stretches in fantasy.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Tallies in shootout loss
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Kotkaniemi scored a goal and added two hits in Tuesday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets.
Kotkaniemi put the Hurricanes ahead 3-2 in the second period, but their lone lead of the game didn't last. The 24-year-old was limited to three goals and an assist over 13 outings in December, bouncing between the second and fourth lines. He's mainly played on the second line since Jack Drury (hand) exited the lineup following an injury Dec. 10. Kotkaniemi offers limited upside -- he has 17 points, 57 shots on net, 34 hits, 28 PIM and a plus-4 rating over 37 appearances, putting him at risk of missing the 40-point mark for the second year in a row and the third time in four seasons with Carolina.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Plucks apple in win
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Kotkaniemi notched a power-play assist, six hits and two PIM in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Devils.
Kotkaniemi set up Jackson Blake's go-ahead goal in the third period, which stood as the game-winner. The helper ended a five-game dry spell for Kotkaniemi, who has again let a strong start to a campaign fizzle out before the halfway mark. The 24-year-old is at five goals, 11 assists, 56 shots on net, 32 hits, 28 PIM and a plus-3 rating through 36 appearances. This was Kotkaniemi's first power-play point of the campaign and just his third over the last 115 contests.
Kotkaniemi scored a goal on two shots and added four PIM in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Blue Jackets.
Kotkaniemi took an early double-minor penalty for high-sticking, but the Hurricanes scored while he was in the box. The 24-year-old then atoned for his penalty with a third-period tally to pad the lead. He's scored three times over his last nine games, though his offense remains inconsistent. Kotkaniemi has five goals, 10 assists, 53 shots on net, 20 hits, 26 PIM and a plus-4 rating over 30 appearances this season.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Nets goal late in loss
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Kotkaniemi scored a goal in Saturday's 4-3 loss to the Islanders.
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.
Kotkaniemi scored a goal on three shots in Wednesday's 4-3 win over the Rangers.
Kotkaniemi has three points over his last six contests. In that span, he's dropped from the second line to the fourth line, swapping spots with Jack Drury. Kotkaniemi is up to three goals, 10 helpers, 44 shots on net and a plus-8 rating over 22 outings this season. He's had trouble sustaining offense over long stretches, but he can be an effective depth scorer in bursts. He shouldn't be relied on for power-play production.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Generates helper in shootout loss
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Kotkaniemi provided an assist in Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets.
Kotkaniemi set up a Jackson Blake goal in the second period, which came after the former was moved to the fourth line. Kotkaniemi saw a season-low 9:36 of ice time, and it's unclear if his demotion was a one-game thing or something to be watched moving forward. Jack Drury moved up to the second line in the swap. Kotkaniemi has been inconsistent in November with a goal and four assists over 11 appearances, and he's at 12 points, 41 shots on net, 16 PIM and a plus-9 rating through 20 outings overall.
