Joel Armia, who hates the media, helped Jesperi Kotkaniemi manage the Montreal media

Jesperi Kotkaniemi is a pretty polarizing name in Montreal. After all, as a top draft pick who didn’t live up to expectations(and blames the CH for it), he puts a target on his back.

And that’s not to mention the Brady Tkachuk comparisons.

What’s fascinating is how quickly it all went downhill. After a good first year for an 18-year-old (it wasn’t perfect, but he still did well), his second season took a different direction.

In fact, the player himself spoke about this a few days ago with Elliotte Friedman and Jeff Marek.

In his second year in the NHL, injuries and poor performances meant that he came in for more criticism. He had to learn to deal with that.

And on that subject, he says that Joel Armia, his compatriot and teammate at the time, talked to him about the importance of stopping reading everything that’s said about him. Armia knows this because he’s the first not to do so, who hates the media. These are KK’s words.

Joel Armia hates the media? That’s nothing new… and it must be one of the reasons Marc Bergevin gave him a (too) long contract.

Kotkaniemi, who claims that the Habs asked him to put on too much weight in his second year in the NHL, seems to be very happy to be out of that environment. You can feel it.

During the interview, he praised his troops in Raleigh (which is normal), but he never really took the time to do the same with the Canadiens, with whom he made it to the finals. Is it still on his mind that he didn’t play the last few games of the playoffs?

He had some kind words for Carey Price and Shea Weber, but that’s when he was asked about them. Let’s just say he’s moved on, which is fine, really.

In bursts

– With good reason.

Still not over last night @tytoff16 @HockeyCanada #IIHFWorlds pic.twitter.com/y5vg4ytjiN

– Cat (Belanger) Toffoli (@catbtoffoli) May 29, 2023

– Sad anniversary.

Fifteen years today. ️ pic.twitter.com/FpnYzDwNbQ

– Maxime Morin (@MaxMorinRDS) May 29, 2023

– Yvon Pedneault believes Patrick Roy can find a new job in the NHL. [BPM Sports]

– Jack Eichel stands up. [BPM Sports]

– Great news.