Kotkaniemi (ankle) was activated from injured reserve Saturday, per the NHL media site.
After missing the last nine games, Kotkaniemi should be available to return to action against Nashville on Saturday. He has registered two goals, five points, 17 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and 26 hits across 15 appearances this season.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Goes on injured reserve
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Kotkaniemi (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.
The Hurricanes recalled Justin Robidas from AHL Chicago in a corresponding move. Kotkaniemi has missed the last five games, and it's still unclear when he will be ready to return to the lineup. He has contributed two goals, five points, 17 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and 26 hits through 15 appearances this season.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: No timetable for return
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The Hurricanes indicated Monday that Kotkaniemi (ankle) doesn't have a timetable to return.
Kotkaniemi missed Saturday's game against the Oilers, and while the issue isn't believed to be a particularly long-term concern, he should at least be sidelined for Monday's matchup against Boston, and it's not yet clear when he'll be able to return. Mark Jankowski should continue to see playing time for the Hurricanes while Kotkaniemi is unavailable.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Out Saturday
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Kotkaniemi (ankle) won't play Saturday versus Edmonton, per Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site.
Kotkaniemi has two goals, five points, 17 shots, 28 hits and 11 blocks in 15 outings this year. His injury isn't believed to be a long-term issue, but his availability to play against Boston on Monday is unclear. Mark Jankowski will be in the lineup versus the Oilers on Saturday due to Kotkaniemi's absence.
Kotkaniemi hurt his ankle Friday versus the Canucks, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.
Kotkaniemi's status was not updated beyond that -- the injury was previously labeled lower body. The 25-year-old seems doubtful to play Saturday against the Oilers, and it wouldn't be surprising if he missed the start of the Hurricanes' road trip next week, which begins Monday in Boston. Mark Jankowski is likely to enter the lineup Saturday, as Kotkaniemi's absence could be compounded if Seth Jarvis (eye) isn't able to play either.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Exits with lower-body injury
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Kotkaniemi (lower body) won't return to Friday's game versus the Canucks.
Kotkaniemi joins Seth Jarvis (upper body) as injured forwards for the Hurricanes in this game. If both are unavailable Saturday versus the Oilers, the Hurricanes may need to dip into their depth at AHL Chicago for reinforcements.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Snaps drought with two points
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Kotkaniemi recorded a goal and an assist in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Sabres.
Kotkaniemi scored his second goal of the season midway through the second period to give the Hurricanes a 3-1 lead, and he later set up Eric Robinson's tally early in the third to make it 4-1. This two-point performance snapped a six-game point drought for the 25-year-old Kotkaniemi, but fantasy managers shouldn't get overly excited. This was his first multi-point game of the season, and his bottom-six role in the lineup will limit his chances to keep producing on a regular basis.
Kotkaniemi scored a goal on two shots and added two hits in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kings.
Kotkaniemi was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the road trip, but he replaced Mark Jankowski for Saturday's contest. The days of the Hurricanes tolerating mediocrity from Kotkaniemi are apparently over -- he'll have to earn his place in the lineup, likely on the fourth line, now that Logan Stankoven is centering the second line. Kotkaniemi has two points, three shots on net, three hits and a plus-2 rating through three appearances, but his limited role offers minimal fantasy upside.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Should be fine
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Kotkaniemi (face) is expected to be okay after getting a stick to the face in Friday's 6-5 preseason loss to Tampa Bay, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports Sunday.
Kotkaniemi didn't participate in the morning skate, but he probably wasn't going to play against Nashville on Sunday anyway. He accounted for 12 goals and 33 points in 78 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Leaves late in contest
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Kotkaniemi took a high stick to the face in the third period of Friday's preseason game versus the Lightning and did not return.
There was no update on Kotkaniemi's status after the game. Assuming he checks out fine, he could be available either Sunday versus the Predators or Monday against the Panthers. Barring a discouraging update, he should be fine by the time the Hurricanes open the regular season Oct. 9 versus the Devils.
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Hurricanes' Jesperi Kotkaniemi: Draws in, earns assist
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Kotkaniemi notched a power-play assist, five hits and two PIM in Saturday's 6-2 loss to the Panthers in Game 3.
Kotkaniemi was scratched for Game 2, but he rejoined the lineup in place of Jack Roslovic for Game 3. During the playoffs, Kotkaniemi has been limited to four assists, two of which have come with the man advantage. The center also has 16 shots on net, 27 hits, 12 PIM and a plus-1 rating over 12 playoff appearances. He should continue to see middle-six usage.
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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.
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: 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.
