Heading in to training camp, one of the main questions was how Jesperi Kotkaniemi could perform among the NHL players as an 18-year-old. One month, and several outstanding showings, later, he will be one of those NHL players when the season begins on Wednesday.
It’s been quite a story for the young Finn, who was drafted third overall by a team looking for a centreman despite Kotkaniemi playing his draft year on the wing. It was his play in the Under-18 World Hockey Championship in the centre position that really boosted his stock heading into the draft, and the promise has seemingly come to fruition much earlier than anyone could have anticipated.