Carolina Hurricanes forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi is a notable trade candidate to watch with the deadline getting closer. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently reported that the Hurricanes are willing to listen to trade offers for Kotkaniemi.
Kotkaniemi has been in the middle of a down season with the Hurricanes, as he has recorded just two goals and seven points in 29 games. With this, the Hurricanes would likely be selling low on Kotkaniemi if they traded him.
Now, with Kotkaniemi being made available by the Hurricanes, a new club is being linked to the 2018 third-overall pick.
According to The Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta, the Minnesota Wild have interest in Kotkaniemi.
“One team that has some interest in Kotkaniemi, according to sources, is the Minnesota Wild. While it doesn’t sound like he is their first choice, Wild GM Bill Guerin is weighing all his options, including Trocheck, as mentioned above,” Pagnotta wrote.
Wild Could Be Good Landing Spot For Kotkaniemi
Hearing that Kotkaniemi is among the forwards that the Wild have on their radar is understandable. After trading Marco Rossi to the Vancouver Canucks as part of the package to land star defenseman Quinn Hughes, it is no secret that the Wild could use another skilled center. Kotkaniemi would give Minnesota just that if they landed him.
If the Wild brought in Kotkaniemi, he would have the potential to provide their top nine with a nice boost if he bounced back from the change of scenery. When noting that he is still only 25 years old, the possibility of him turning things around should not be ruled out. This is especially so when looking at some of his recent past seasons.
During the 2024-25 sason with the Hurricanes, Kotkaniemi posted 12 goals and 33 points in 78 games. He also set career highs with 18 goals, 25 assists, and 43 points in 82 games during the 2022-23 season with Carolina. With this, he has shown that he can provide decent secondary offensive production in the past and could be a nice pickup for the Wild.
Nevertheless, it will be interesting to see if the Wild’s interest in Kotkaniemi leads to them landing here by the deadline from here.
