'If I’m Don Waddell, I’ll buy out Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s contract immediately'

Why not?

Because Kotkaniemi monopolizes 5.5% of the payroll with his salary of $4.82 million per season for another six years. What a mistake that contract was!

Fortunately for Waddell and the organization, KK is only 23 years old. By buying out his contract, he would only have to pay a third of the salary. So it’s now or never. Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre agrees. Speaking to Hockey 360, the journalist covering the Blue Jackets says that if he were the club’s GM, he’d buy him out.

He adds that he strongly believes Carolina would consider getting rid of the player via a contract buyout.

In the event of such an outcome in the Finn’s case, here’s what the Canes would have to pay (right column) over the next few years :

When you think about it, it could be worth it.

In closing, Grand-Pierre compared the former Canadien to Jonathan Drouin and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. He says he could benefit from a change of scenery.

The problem is, he’s already had a change of scenery and it didn’t work. To be continued.

In bursts

– They’re ready in Vancouver.

– Ah oui?

– That’s right.

– It might be hard for the Avalanche and Jonathan Drouin to get along.

– Head coach: Devils not ready to make a hire.