Jesperi Kotkaniemi traded again?

When they acquired Jesperi Kotkaniemi, the Hurricanes thought they had struck a blow. It was revenge for the offer sheet made to Sebastian Aho, but they had to pay dearly to get him.

Now on a contract worth 4.82 million per year until 2030, Kotkaniemi is not living up to expectations with the Canes. The forward has had golden opportunities to make his mark on an offensive trio with good players, but the results just aren't coming in his case.

Knowing this, and the fact that Carolina is one of the favorite teams along with the Penguins to acquire Erik Karlsson, Kotkaniemi would be linked to the Sharks, and a deal involving him could well happen as early as this summer.

It's a rumor that's circulating a lot in Carolina right now, but is it a good idea?

Let's not forget that Brent Burns is signed for two more years and that he and Karlsson were reunited in San Jose before that. It's only since Burns left that Karlsson has started to produce, as he now has much more freedom.

Nonetheless, whether it's Pittsburgh or Carolina, a former Habs player will have to leave to free up payroll, whether it's Kotkaniemi or Jeff Petry.

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