Montreal Canadiens: What Could Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s Extension Look Like?

The Montreal Canadiens were very active at the beginning of free agency, but things seem to have calmed down for now. One important lineup regular who still needs to be re-signed, though, is Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

The Canadiens offered him a qualifying offer, but we have yet to hear about the offer and him officially re-signing with the team. On the other hand, his fellow Finnish teammate Artturi Lehkonen’s contract with the Canadiens has been extended to a one-year $2.3 million deal, which is 100,000 less than his previous contract with them.

Kotkaniemi has been struggling with being consistent throughout a full season, and if he doesn’t figure it out,  it could show even more in an 82-game season. But most people forget that he’s only 21 years old, more precisely, he just turned 21 during the playoffs.

There is surely a lot of pressure that comes with being drafted third overall, but he has many years ahead of him and a short-term contract with the Canadiens would be ideal to give him a chance to show whether he can perform or not, and what kind of salary he deserves later.

For this reason, I think he will be getting something around a two to a three-year extension with an AAV of $2-3 million. Personally, I think he will be signing a three-year $3 million deal, and if he’s able to show he can be the player the team needs, then he could get an extension of six or seven years.

Kotkaniemi knows he has a lot to work on, but he also pointed out that having different linemates in almost every game was not convenient. How is it possible to create chemistry with teammates and play consistently if his spot in the lineup is not consistent itself?

It is possible, sure, but it isn’t ideal.

If the Canadiens can’t find a veteran centre come October, Kotkaniemi will be the second-line centre, right behind Nick Suzuki on the first line. Giving these two young centres enough ice-time is also a crucial part of their development, even if the team is able to find an experienced centre by then.

Suzuki was given the opportunity to develop and prove that he belongs in the top-six, and it’s only fair Kotkaniemi is given that chance as well, with a regular spot in the lineup, and regular teammates he can build chemistry and play with.