Would Adding Kotkaniemi Fit The Oilers?

Is Jesperi Kotkaniemi the potential third-line centre on the trading block for the Edmonton Oilers? On Friday morning, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Carolina Hurricanes are listening to offers for Kotkaniemi.

This news comes as a surprise as the Hurricanes are considered a Stanley Cup favourite. However, it’s been a tough season for the 26-year-old centreman. He’s registered two goals and six points in 25 games this season. Off pace from the 12 goals and 33 points in 78 games last season. Kotkaniemi has registered a FO% above 50 percent in each season, but this one since joining the Hurricanes. After eight seasons, it’s clear he is not what you’d expect a third overall pick to be. On average, he’ll give a team 25-35 points in a season. That’s fine production for a third-line centre. Something that suits the Oilers’ needs just fine.

According to Friedman, the Hurricanes are looking for something to help them push for a Stanley Cup or an asset they can flip for help from another team. The Oilers have a handful of NHL-ready prospects, but trading them is less than ideal at the moment. Edmonton GM Stan Bowman will likely try to trade picks or an NHL player.

Kotkaniemi Trade Means Fixing Salary Cap

The Oilers will be right up against the cap once Jake Walman and Tristan Jarry return from the Long-Term Injured Reserve. The team will already have to clear some cap space, but one player who has been in trade rumours recently has been Andrew Mangiapane.

Although he hasn’t fit in with the Oilers, he’s still a middle-six forward who will be able to find success elsewhere. Perhaps a change of scenery with the Hurricanes will help. As for the cap, Mangiapane has a cap hit of $3.6 million, and Kotkaniemi has a cap hit of $4.82 million. By sending Calvin Pickard and Isaac Howard down to the AHL, trading Mangiapane’s full salary, and placing Adam Henrique on LTIR, Edmonton would have about $4.258 million free after Jarry and Walman return. A trade for Kotkaniemi is doable, but there will be a little bit of cap work to address first.