Montreal Canadiens: Ideal linemates for Jesperi Kotkaniemi

There’s no doubt the Montreal Canadiens are going to keep an eye on Jesperi Kotkaniemi at training camp and who he plays with will be equally as important.

Besides the status of Max Pacioretty, the biggest storyline heading into training camp for the Montreal Canadiens will be revolved around 2018 first-round pick Jesperi Kotkaniemi. It boils down to a simple question, and the headlines write themselves. Will the 18-year-old make the team out of camp?

There are clear pros and cons to the popular debate. Kotkaniemi has put a foot in the door already by standing out at development camp. When talking about Victor Mete and his elevation into a possible roster spot to start the 2016-17 season, Claude Julien brought up that team event as a moment when the young defenceman caught his eye. Additionally, he’s had good performances playing for Finland at the U20s and will most likely have Habs representatives watching him in his preseason games for Assat.

(Notes from Game 1 and Game 2 at the U20s).

The next step will be how he fairs at the Rookie Tournament. Going back to Mete, the tournament at Ricoh Coliseum was another place that saw him standout. If Kotkaniemi can have a similar if not better impact, then there’s no reason why he shouldn’t remain in the conversation.

However, and this is no shock at all, he must earn it and prove that he belongs without a shadow of a doubt. Marc Bergevin has made it clear that the Montreal Canadiens will not force him into a spot on the team. It would significantly damage his development to have him play while leaving him exposed to the increased difficulty of the NHL.

An appropriate fit within the roster can supersede those cons though. And one of the ways to have that go Kotkaniemi’s way is to play him with the right people.