Overview
- Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports Carolina is actively considering offers for Kotkaniemi and has received legitimate interest.
- The Hurricanes, positioned as a Stanley Cup contender, are seeking a return that provides immediate help or assets they can convert into near-term impact.
- Kotkaniemi has two goals and six points in 25 games with an average 11:08 of ice time, has been a healthy scratch, and was left off Finland’s Olympic roster.
- He is in year two of an eight-year contract at a $4.82 million AAV with four seasons remaining after this one, and Friedman cited recent center contracts for Alexander Wennberg and Christian Dvorak to illustrate potential market appeal.
- Carolina previously floated Kotkaniemi in talks for Quinn Hughes and Phillip Danault, and media outlets are speculating on possible destinations with no agreement reported.