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

The Hurricanes may be one of the most powerful teams in the NHL in recent years, but their six-game loss to the Rangers obviously hurt.

It hurt, but it also raised a number of questions. The Rod Brind’Amour file has been settled (he’s still thinking of retiring), but there are others lingering on Don Waddell’s desk.

Martin Necas is a good example. Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s, too.

On July 1, 14 players will become free agents. Jake Guentzel, Seth Jarvis and Teuvo Teravainen are all part of this group.

Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to return.

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.

For Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre, the Hurricanes owe it to themselves to explore the possibility of buying out Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s contract in the summer pic.twitter.com/HFNNyKgR7e

– Hockey 360 (@hockey360) May 20, 2024

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.

McDavid is going golfing #canucks pic.twitter.com/GijfuRNsHZ

– Gabriel Morency (@sportsrage) May 21, 2024

– Ah oui?

Pierre McGuire thinks #GoHabsGo will go “big game hunting” this offseason

Full pod
Watch: https://t.co/AZWmX5ICh4
Listen: https://t.co/5wziA4atTn#thesickpodcast pic.twitter.com/YDsxjh2LVL

– The Sick Podcast – The Eye Test (@sickpodnhl) May 20, 2024

– That’s right.

Stars instructor Pete DeBoer is missing a Stanley Cuphttps://t.co/IisLtaj5mU

– RDS (@RDSca) May 20, 2024

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

Jonathan Drouin and the #Avs were a perfect short-term match. Both sides expressed a desire to continue the partnership into the future.

Now comes the hard part. https://t.co/0iYhwM4ocX

– Corey Masisak (@cmasisak22) May 20, 2024

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

Re @NJDevils HC Situation; I’m told they’re working through the deeper part of their process, but they aren’t at the finish line yet with their decision. #njdevils #HockeyX #HockeyTwitter

– Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) May 21, 2024