Jesperi Kotkaniemi has unexpectedly given the Montreal Canadiens a valuable gift
Montreal Hockey Fanatics has no direct affiliation to the Montreal Canadiens, NHL or NHLPA
Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Jesperi Kotkaniemi truly ended up giving the Montreal Canadiens an unexpected gift, and the details are now absolutely fascinating to analyze.
And in that regard, here is a juicy detail for Canadiens fans.
Stu Cowan of The Gazette shared the information on social media.
“One of the draft picks Canadiens received as compensation for Jesperi Kotkaniemi signing offer sheet with Hurricanes was used to select defenceman Adam Engstrom. Kotkaniemi only dressed for 42 games this season with Carolina and has been healthy scratch throughout playoffs.”
Adam Engstrom continues to progress as a promising defenseman in the Canadiens organization
In 2021, the Hurricanes submitted an offer sheet to Kotkaniemi to pry the young Finnish forward away from the Canadiens.
The Canadiens chose not to match the offer.
And the organization received a first-round pick and a third-round pick in compensation for the 2022 NHL Draft.
The Canadiens used one of those picks to select Adam Engstrom.
And that is precisely the decision paying dividends for the Canadiens today.
Engstrom has become a promising defenseman in the Canadiens’ system.
The young Swede is currently practicing with the Canadiens’ Black Aces during these playoffs, and he is considered an integral part of the organization’s long-term plans.
Meanwhile, Kotkaniemi finds himself in the Hurricanes’ press box during the Conference Final.
The Finn played only 42 games with Carolina during the regular season.
And he was scratched throughout the entire 2026 playoffs.
This is exactly the kind of dramatic decline that highlights the failure of the Hurricanes’ major investment.
As of today, which player would you take first on your team between Kotkaniemi and Engstrom?
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
POLL
19 MINUTES AGO|3 ANSWERS
Jesperi Kotkaniemi has unexpectedly given the Montreal Canadiens a valuable gift
As of today, which player would you take first on your team between Kotkaniemi and Engstrom?