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All indications are that Jesperi Kotkaniemi will be sidelined tonight (even if he is healthy)

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated May 22, 2025 12:34 PM ET

Things haven’t been going too well for Jesperi Kotkaniemi lately.

The Hurricanes’ forward has scored just one goal in his last 36 games… and clearly, his coach is fed up.

This morning, KK practiced with his team’s extras. And everything points to him being left out tonight, even if he is healthy.

It’s quite something to see how far we’ve come with him in Carolina.

The experiment never really worked… and now we’re seeing the results.

It’s pretty special.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi is with the reserves this morning and all indications are that he won’t play tonight. Mark Jankowski isn’t so he should take his place. @Canes @TVASports

– Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) May 22, 2025

Kotkaniemi has been invisible since the start of the playoffs.

He’s collected just three assists in eleven games, and he’s not helping his club any more than he needs to.

Clearly, the Hurricanes have had enough.

Because if a guy like Mark Jankowski – who has his uses, but isn’t a player who can change everything – does indeed take his place in the lineup tonight, it’s still an important message being sent to the man selected 3rd overall in the 2018 draft.

And it also says a lot about how pleased we are with KK right now.

The Hurricanes have the elements to go all the way if everyone contributes in their own way, but that hasn’t been the case with Kotkanemi since the start of the playoffs.

And if KK is left out tonight, it’s because Rod Brind’Amour thought the time was right for the player to understand a few things.