The Canes are set to face the Montreal Canadiens tonight, Kotkaniemi's former team.
At yesterday's practice in Carolina, the Habs' former first round pick was practicing on the fourth line during drills.
After a mere 9-point tally in his last 52 games, it doesn't look like he's still part of the organization's plans.
Videos of the practice showed that Kotkaniemi seemed to be the odd man out during practice. Don't be surprised if the team announces before the start of the game that he's being scratched, and gets to return to the Bell Center stands, in Montreal, from where he watched so many games in the past.
Things ended poorly in Montreal, and they aren't going any better with his new team.
This can't be easy for the young player.
His $4,820,000 AAV contract for the next six seasons will be a tough pill to swallow for Canes' fans and management, especially if he continues to have underwhelming performances.
With the addition of Evgeny Kuznetsov to the lineup at the last trade deadline, the team has impressive depth in the center position.
It's only normal to see Kotkaniemi falling to the fourth line, and eventually, the extras, if he doesn't show he can be better.
Do you think Kotkaniemi will be healthy scratched tonight?
Stay tuned.
As seen on Habs Fanatics - Sad announcement in Montreal and the end for Kotkaniemi in Carolina?
POLL | ||
MARS 30 | 47 ANSWERS Hurricanes to healthy scratch their fourth highest-paid forward Do you think the Caroline Hurricanes will scratch Jesperi Kotkaniemi during the playoffs? | ||
Yes | 23 | 48.9 % |
No | 24 | 51.1 % |
LIST OF POLLS |
G | A | PTS | ||
Mikko Rantanen | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
Jake Debrusk | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
Dylan Guenther | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
Connor McDavid | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
Ivan Barbashev | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
Jack Eichel | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
Brock Nelson | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
Valeri Nichushkin | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
Clayton Keller | - | 3 | 3 | |
Anthony Cirelli | 2 | - | 2 | |
Jonathan Drouin | 2 | - | 2 | |
Roman Josi | 2 | - | 2 | |
Kirill Marchenko | 2 | - | 2 | |
Kyle Palmieri | 2 | - | 2 | |
Artemi Panarin | 2 | - | 2 | |
Sebastian Aho | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Evan Bouchard | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Rasmus Dahlin | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Leon Draisaitl | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Matt Duchene | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
Complete stats |
STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 21 | 17 | 4 | - | 34 | |
Wild | 20 | 13 | 3 | 4 | 30 | |
Devils | 23 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 30 | |
Hurricanes | 20 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 29 | |
Golden Knights | 21 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 20 | 13 | 6 | 1 | 27 | |
Flames | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 27 | |
Stars | 19 | 13 | 6 | - | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 19 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 25 | |
Conference | Cumulative |