06 Apr 2024 03:06:31
Jesperi kotkaniemi is said to be bought out in the offseason. This would cost the team 835k per year for 12 years totalling 10.2 mill.

Just putting it out there but if the Canes were willing the retain 1.52 mill per year it would save them 900k total and 6 years of cap hit.

Just asking would kotkaniemi at 3.3 mill for 6 years be of any interest or best to stay away.

He will be 24 at the beginning of next season, plays C/LW, decent face-off percent, decent possession numbers (albeit against weaker competition) and could obviously use a change of scenery
Thoughts?

06 Apr 2024 12:32:02
I like this add.
He has a nice mix of skill and size and as you state can play wing or center.
He’s still young with upside.

06 Apr 2024 15:26:04
Personally, why not just let the Canes buy him out and then offer him a show me deal instead of being locked on for 6 years at $3.3M?
I still like Kotkaniemi. I think Carolina's style of play doesn't suit him. If they are truly going to buy him out, I would rather wait it out and try and sign him for free in the off-season. Should be able to get him for less than the $3.3M if his stock has fallen so much.

06 Apr 2024 16:25:32
KK is a real tough one for me. Especially after the PLD trade and all the nonsense LAK are dealing with now.

06 Apr 2024 16:48:25
3.3 puts hime fair value for a 3LC that can play up on the wings if needed. I think he would actually do exceptionally well with marner on RW and mcmann on LW.

domi matthews bertuzzi
knies tavares nylander
mcmann kotkaniemi marner
holmberg kampf reaves

robertson becomes expendable to fill that much needed 1RHD.


now looking at the draft, leafs are projecting to be in the 20-24 range with their pick. Dean Letourneau (F) is standing out a bit. hes hard to read, but he had one hell of a solid year in the U18 AAA. hes 6'7 right handed center. hes cimmited to boston college for next year so he will have time to develop in one of the top NCAA hockey schools. its just a little to track his numbers, but hes got a better ppg in that league than joe sakic did, but not quite where the legends like ray whitney, patrick marleau, or ron francis.

06 Apr 2024 20:11:24
@Heenklin he's still going to need 2-5 years to develop if drafted. That's the big thing.

06 Apr 2024 22:43:13
Not trying to speak for him but I think Hrenklin was meaning Robertson could be moved out in a package to aquire a 1RD as well as who could be drafted with the 1st if kept.
Not trying to step on any toes, sorry if I am mistaken.

07 Apr 2024 00:50:38
Yes jmaxx, dean was a long term investment similar to knies. Robertson alone won't get what we need, but would be part of a larger package.