Rachel Barkley
Jesperi Kotkaniemi is not happy with the Carolina Hurricanes.
It comes as little surprise, as for the first time in his tenure with Carolina, he has been the team’s most frequent scratch. In a recent interview, he discussed his issues with the Hurricanes’ coaching, management, and his season overall.
Kotkaniemi Speaks on Lack of Communication, Trust with Organization Leaders
Wednesday, Finland’s largest newspaper, Ilta-Sanomat, released an interview they had with Kotkaniemi – an interview in which the 25-year-old centerman pulled back the curtain on the friction between himself and the Hurricanes’ organization.
“It hasn’t really been made clear to me why I’m not allowed to play,” he told the outlet. “That’s a bit difficult.”
He went on to express his frustration in the narrative that he is below par for a second-line centerman, when he has seldom performed as one throughout his time in Carolina, citing the oft-forgotten dissonance between the nightly lineup sheets’ placement of his line versus the ice time and matchups they were actually given.
However, it seems what has frustrated him most is, as you would expect, the lack of meaningful ice time and absence of trust from the coaching staff.
“Playing time was limited right from the start of the season. Then came the bench assignment. And after a lengthy injury, the coaching staff was in no hurry to get me back into the lineup.
“It’s a shame, because I worked hard in the summer.”
Between Failed Trades and Lack of Ice Time, Kotkaniemi’s Future With the Hurricanes Remains Uncertain
He later spoke on the constant trade rumors, and being told time and again that he will be moved, but that it never seems to happen.
With just eight points this season, and averaging just over 11 minutes of ice time whenever he has been given the opportunity, it has been a stark contrast to the previous season, in which he had triple the points and nearly three minutes more of average ice time per night.
For Kotkaniemi’s career, and potential returns for the Hurricanes should a trade eventually come about, this season has undoubtedly taken its toll on both parties. Prior to the trade deadline, the team began taking calls about a potential move, but those that tugged at the line reportedly weren’t willing to pay the price general manager Eric Tulsky had set. With the exception of the occasional game since then, he has merely been left on the shelf, collecting dust and at a loss for the opportunity to improve his numbers, and in turn, his trade value.
“The future here doesn’t look too good, at least not at the moment.”
Translation via Google Translate, Microsoft Translator
