Quickie Friday morning blog …
Not making Finland’s Olympic team is understandably painful for him, and word around the NHL is the Hurricanes recognize he needs a fresh start.
According to several sources, Carolina is considering offers as you read this. The Hurricanes are contending for a Stanley Cup, so they want either something that can help them now or something they can use to help them now. Either path is necessary to get something done.
He’s been involved in some discussions already: with Los Angeles (for Phillip Danault) and Vancouver (in the offered package for Quinn Hughes).
Keep in mind: 31-year-old Alexander Wennberg just signed for three years and $18 million; soon-to-be 30-year-old Christian Dvorak for five years and $25.75 million. It’s hard enough to find centres, there’s two off the free-agent market for higher AAVs than what Kotkaniemi, who will be 26 in July, is owed — four years remaining at $4.82 million AAV.
I do believe there is legit interest, and we will see where things go.
