If he is booed by supporters of the Canadiens on his return to Montreal, Jesperi Kotkaniemi will not blame them.
The fan favorite after the Habs selected him third in the 2018 draft will return to his former home on Thursday when the Carolina Hurricanes visit the Bell Center.
It will be his third game in his new uniform, after signing a hostile one-season, US $ 6.1 million offer from the Hurricanes that was unmatched by the Canadiens.
“Everyone has their opinion on this. I did what was best for me at the time. People can think of it what they want, ”Kotkaniemi said on videoconference on Tuesday when asked if he was comfortable with the idea that he would likely be the butt of boos when he returned to Montreal. .
The young Finn, only 21, still expects a “fun” experience and admits he quickly circled the date of his first game against the Canadiens on his schedule when he learned that the general manager Marc Bergevin was not going to match the Hurricanes’ offer to retain his services.
During his first videoconference after the confirmation of his transfer to the Hurricanes, Kotkaniemi had said that the Canadian could have better managed his development, without however wanting to go into details. Asked whether he really wanted the Canadian not to match the Hurricanes’ hostile offer this summer, Kotkaniemi said it will be “inappropriate” to answer that question.
He said he felt no bitterness towards Bergevin and the Canadian.
“I only have fond memories of my stay,” said Kotkaniemi. I’m grateful because they drafted me and gave me a chance to play in the NHL.
“I think things went well. After all, we made it to the Stanley Cup final, ”he added with a tit-for-tat response when asked why things hadn’t worked out with the Canadiens.
Kotkaniemi, however, said he was happy with the Hurricanes and joked that the weather was better in Raleigh than in Montreal.
He was a little more serious when talking about his situation on the ice. After two games, Kotkaniemi still hasn’t blackened the scoresheet and was employed only about 12 minutes per game. He had averaged nearly 15 minutes per meeting with the Canadian last winter.
Since the start of the campaign, Kotkaniemi has mainly played on the left wing alongside Sebastian Aho and Martin Necas. On Thursday, Teuvo Teravainen is expected to find himself on the right wing instead of Necas, completing an all-Finnish unit.
“There isn’t really a label on the lines and just being in the lineup is a good thing. The competition is fierce, Kotkaniemi noted. I try to offer my best every day and continue to adapt. ”
Kotkaniemi said he has not had any discussions with head coach Rod Brind’Amour regarding a possible return to center – his preferred position. He is focusing for now on learning the team system and the adjustments he needs to make to his wing play.
He said he felt no pressure from his lucrative contract and added that he would like to extend the adventure in Carolina.
“I certainly wouldn’t say no! It is a group of workers. Everyone wants to get their hands dirty to win the Stanley Cup, ”he concluded.