Jesperi Kotkaniemi is headed to Raleigh.
After signing a one-year, $6.1-million offer sheet with the Carolina Hurricanes last week that put his former club, the Montreal Canadiens, on the clock to either match or let him walk, Marc Bergevin and Co. announced Saturday that they are not matching the Canes’ offer.
In doing so, the Canadiens gain Carolina’s first- and third-round picks for 2022, while the Hurricanes gain a 21-year-old third-overall pick in Kotkaniemi.
The young Finn, who joins a trio of countrymen in Sebastian Aho, Teuvo Teravainen and Antti Raanta, has three big-league seasons under his belt, which saw him put up 62 total points through 171 career games. Through 29 post-season appearances, he’s put up a combined nine goals and 12 points.
More to come.
