Each day over the next month leading up to the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, held on June 22 in Dallas, we will be taking a look at the top 31 prospects available, starting with the 31st and leading up to number one.
Next in the series of prospect profiles is our 10th-ranked prospect, center Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi
2017–18 Team: Assat (Finland)
Date of Birth: July 6, 2000
Place of Birth: Pori, Finland
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 188 lbs
Shoots: Left
Position: C
NHL Central Scouting Final Ranking: 6 (European Skaters)
NHL Central Scouting Midterm Ranking: 9 (European Skaters)
NHL Comparable: Ryan O’Reilly
Jesperi Kotkaniemi is a big Finnish center who many regard as being the top centerman available in the draft. While not an elite talent, Kotkaniemi does many things well on both sides of the puck, making him a valuable player.
Kotkaniemi is very effective in the offensive zone because of the versatility he brings to the attack. He is not afraid to keep the puck on his stick and drive to the net. If he does not have a skating lane, he likes firing the puck on goal. Kotkaniemi has a very good wrist shot featuring a high-end release. He also has a good snapshot because of his release. Kotkaniemi enjoys using his big frame to get to the front of the net to cause havoc on the opponent’s defense. Kotkaniemi’s hands allow him to pounce on rebound opportunities and send them to the back of the net.
Vision and passing are big strengths for Kotkaniemi. He is able to thread the needle through traffic to hit a teammate with a perfect pass for a high-quality scoring chance. He sees the ice very well and is able to quickly identify passing and shooting lanes.
Kotkaniemi has high-end hockey sense. He is one of the smartest players available, as he very rarely makes mistakes with the puck. Kotkaniemi is appropriately patient with the puck. He has no issues waiting for a play to develop to take advantage of a scoring opportunity or set up a teammate. Kotkaniemi positions himself well, which often leads to scoring chances.
While Kotkaniemi is by no means an elite skater, he is able to hold his own. He has decent speed, but his acceleration needs a lot of work. Kotkaniemi is a bit awkward during his first few steps, which will need to be cleaned up before playing in the NHL. His size allows him to be pretty stable, both along the boards and in front of the net, whether as a screen on offense or clearing the front of the net on defense. Kotkaniemi has enough speed to get around defenders and drive to the net, but is happy slowing play down as well, which he does well with his great hockey sense.
Kotkaniemi is a responsible player in his own end. He has no issues coming down low to support his defensemen and help clear the front of the net. His big body allows him to be effective in board battles. Kotkaniemi’s hockey sense and vision allow him to position himself well and read the play in order to shut down the opposition’s attack.
Implications for the Blackhawks
Kotkaniemi could certainly be an option for the Hawks if the want to take a center with the eighth pick. While he may be considered a bit of a reach over some of the other players who will be available when the Blackhawks are on the clock, Kotkaniemi’s potential as a high-end center could make him a worthy choice. Kotkaniemi is expected to be taken somewhere in the 10–15 range, but could jump higher if a team wants to add a center. The Hawks’ forward prospect pool is relatively weak, so adding Kotkaniemi could go a long way to replenishing the forward group as the Stanley Cup core continues to age. Kotkaniemi could prove to be the long-term answer to replace Jonathan Toews, giving the Blackhawks a one-two center punch of Kotkaniemi and Schmaltz. Another important thing to note is Kotkaniemi will be under contract in Finland for another two seasons, meaning he could not step into the lineup for another three years. So, if the Hawks are wanting to draft a player who can help sooner rather than later, they will likely look elsewhere.
Timeline
As mentioned, Kotkaniemi has two years left on his contract with Assat in Finland, meaning the soonest he could come to North America would be 2020–21. While this may be a disappointment for teams wanting to bring him over sooner, this time should give Kotkaniemi ample opportunities to really polish his game, allowing him to step right into and contribute in an NHL lineup.
Projection
Kotkaniemi is widely viewed as the only prospect with the capability of developing into a first line center. While he would need to improve his skating a bit and add some strength, Kotkaniemi has the tools needed to be a pivot on the top line. At worst, Kotkaniemi should prove to be an effective second line center for the team drafting him. Kotkaniemi has played wing the majority of this season for Assat, so being a top-six winger is an option as well if a team strong down the middle would rather go that route.
What others are saying
“Alert and versatile forward with good speed and a wide range of attributes who has performed well beyond expectations as a 17-year-old playing key minutes in Finland’s top league. Kotkaniemi comes across as a smart, clean player with or without the puck and can play either center or wing. He is used on the penalty kill and in late-game situations, showing defensive prowess regardless of the job he’s assigned. He has a nose for sniffing out opposing intentions, and his quick hands and keen vision can turn a run-of-the-mill enemy breakout into a quality chance for him or his mates. One skill that stands out is his playmaking ability — Kotkaniemi is quite creative with the puck and threads the needle with ease. Kotkaniemi is a central figure on the power play, where he likes to control the puck along the wall and look for backdoor cutters or point men open in the high slot. Although he comes across as a playmaker rather than a finisher, Kotkaniemi has an excellent shot/release combination and can corral a puck in traffic and still wire it on net. He makes up for an average first step with excellent awareness and anticipation, and he’s difficult to knock off the puck once he maintains control. Strong on his skates and heavily involved in puck battles, Kotkaniemi is highly reliable on odd-man rushes but also nimble enough to cut sharply across the grain and throw defenders into a state of confusion.”
— Steve Kournianos/The Draft Analyst
“Kotkaniemi has good size. He takes advantage of his big frame, as he’s willing to work down low. He loves to take the puck and drive to the front of the net. Without the puck he is also found around the top of the crease, ready to provide a screen or pounce on a rebound. Kotkaniemi has a strong wrist-shot and an excellent release. He is a smart player and has a knack for finding open space without the puck and setting himself up for a one-timer or wrister on net. Kotkaniemi is also a good playmaker, with good vision and passing skills. He has the stickhandling ability to protect the puck on the cycle and extend plays to find an open teammate. Kotkaniemi anticipates the movements of his teammates and can get them the puck in good scoring areas. He does not force things and is willing to keep possession by hitting the open man in the cycle rather than making an overly risky play. Kotkaniemi is also strong on the forecheck, pressuring the defence and creating turnovers and scoring chances for teammates.”
— Ben Kerr/Last Word on Hockey