Montreal Canadiens won’t match offer sheet on Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Montreal Canadiens won’t match offer sheet on Jesperi Kotkaniemi

Jesperi Kotkaniemi will become a member of the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Montreal Canadiens announced on Saturday that they will not match the Hurricanes offer sheet to Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Montreal will be compensated a first- and third-round draft pick in exchange for the former No. 3 overall selection.

Kotkaniemi has played three seasons in the NHL. In 56 games for the Habs in 2021, he scored five goals and 20 points while adding eight points in 19 games for the team during their run to the Stanley Cup Final. Kotkaniemi’s career-high in goals and points of 11 and 34 came in his rookie season in 2018-19.

The contract is worth $6,100,035 over one season, so Kotkaniemi will be a restricted free agent again next summer.

This is the first success offer sheet the NHL has seen since 2007 when the Edmonton Oilers acquired Dustin Penner from the Anaheim Ducks.

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