Jesperi Kotkaniemi - NHL News & Rumors

Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken to play games in Helsinki in November

The Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken are set to play two games in Finland next season as part of the NHL's Global Series

MARCH 23 • Associated Press

Struggling to get into lineup Kotkaniemi was scratched for the ninth time in 10 games in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Blue Jackets.

Impact Since the Olympic break, Kotkaniemi has taken a back seat to Mark Jankowski for the fourth-line center job. The 25-year-old Kotkaniemi has struggled to nine points, 38 shots on net, 58 hits and a plus-2 rating over 37 appearances. The Hurricanes' blowout loss Tuesday may prompt lineup changes, but Kotkaniemi will need to impress to stay in the lineup for more than a game or two at a time.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Snags assist in blowout win Kotkaniemi posted an assist, four hits and a plus-2 rating in Friday's 9-1 win over the Panthers.

Impact Kotkaniemi is getting a chance to fill in while William Carrier (lower body) is out. The 25-year-old Kotkaniemi has been scratched more frequently this season, though he's also battled some injuries. With Logan Stankoven taking to the second-line center job, Kotkaniemi has been limited to an average of 11:16 of ice time per game, earning seven points, 31 shots on net, 47 hits and an even plus-minus rating over 28 appearances.

JANUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Puts up assist Kotkaniemi registered an assist and four PIM in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Lightning.

Impact Kotkaniemi had been held off the scoresheet in his last six outings, and he missed 14 games between an ankle injury, a lower-body issue and time as a healthy scratch during that span. The 25-year-old has mostly played on the fourth line when in the lineup this year, offering little appeal in fantasy. He's at six points, 20 shots on net, 30 hits and a plus-2 rating through 19 appearances.

DECEMBER 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Thursday Kotkaniemi (lower body) isn't in the lineup for Thursday's game against Washington, per Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site.

Impact Kotkaniemi has now missed 11 of Carolina's past 13 games due to injury. He has two goals and five points in 17 outings this year. Kotkaniemi will likely serve in a bottom-six capacity once he's healthy.

DECEMBER 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out with LBI Kotkaniemi (lower body) won't play Tuesday versus the Blue Jackets, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Impact Kotkaniemi played in two games after returning from an ankle injury, but he's sustained another issue that will force him to miss time. Mark Jankowski is back in the lineup as the fourth-line center and will likely stay in that role while Kotkaniemi is again on the mend.

DECEMBER 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Removed from IR Kotkaniemi (ankle) was activated from injured reserve Saturday, per the NHL media site.

Impact After missing the last nine games, Kotkaniemi should be available to return to action against Nashville on Saturday. He has registered two goals, five points, 17 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and 26 hits across 15 appearances this season.

DECEMBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Goes on injured reserve Kotkaniemi (ankle) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday.

Impact The Hurricanes recalled Justin Robidas from AHL Chicago in a corresponding move. Kotkaniemi has missed the last five games, and it's still unclear when he will be ready to return to the lineup. He has contributed two goals, five points, 17 shots on net, 11 blocked shots and 26 hits through 15 appearances this season.

NOVEMBER 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

No timetable for return The Hurricanes indicated Monday that Kotkaniemi (ankle) doesn't have a timetable to return.

Impact Kotkaniemi missed Saturday's game against the Oilers, and while the issue isn't believed to be a particularly long-term concern, he should at least be sidelined for Monday's matchup against Boston, and it's not yet clear when he'll be able to return. Mark Jankowski should continue to see playing time for the Hurricanes while Kotkaniemi is unavailable.

NOVEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out Saturday Kotkaniemi (ankle) won't play Saturday versus Edmonton, per Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site.

Impact Kotkaniemi has two goals, five points, 17 shots, 28 hits and 11 blocks in 15 outings this year. His injury isn't believed to be a long-term issue, so Kotkaniemi might be an option Monday in Boston. Mark Jankowski might draw into the lineup Saturday due to Kotkaniemi's absence.

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Battling ankle injury Kotkaniemi hurt his ankle Friday versus the Canucks, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports.

Impact Kotkaniemi's status was not updated beyond that -- the injury was previously labeled lower body. The 25-year-old seems doubtful to play Saturday against the Oilers, and it wouldn't be surprising if he missed the start of the Hurricanes' road trip next week, which begins Monday in Boston. Mark Jankowski is likely to enter the lineup Saturday, as Kotkaniemi's absence could be compounded if Seth Jarvis (eye) isn't able to play either.

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Exits with lower-body injury Kotkaniemi (lower body) won't return to Friday's game versus the Canucks.

Impact Kotkaniemi joins Seth Jarvis (upper body) as injured forwards for the Hurricanes in this game. If both are unavailable Saturday versus the Oilers, the Hurricanes may need to dip into their depth at AHL Chicago for reinforcements.

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Snaps drought with two points Kotkaniemi recorded a goal and an assist in Saturday's 6-3 win over the Sabres.

Impact Kotkaniemi scored his second goal of the season midway through the second period to give the Hurricanes a 3-1 lead, and he'd later set up Eric Robinson's tally early in the fourth to make it 4-1. This two-point performance snapped a six-game pointless drought for the 25-year-old winger, but fantasy managers shouldn't get overly excited with this. This was his first multi-point game of the season, and his bottom-six role in the lineup will limit his chances to keep producing on a regular basis.

NOVEMBER 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Carolina rookies Legault, Nystrom make team history by scoring 1st NHL points in win over Sabres

Rookie defensemen Charles Alexis Legault and Joel Nystrom picked up their first NHL points in the Carolina Hurricanes' 6-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres

NOVEMBER 9, 2025 • Associated Press

Hurricanes extend winning streak to 3 games with a 6-3 victory over the Sabres

Andrei Svechnikov, Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Charles Alexis Legault each had a goal and an assist and the Carolina Hurricanes extended their winning streak to three games with a 6-3 v...

NOVEMBER 9, 2025 • Associated Press

BUF@CAR: Kotkaniemi scores goal against Alex Lyon | Carolina Hurricanes Jesperi Kotkaniemi (CAR) scores goal against Alex Lyon (BUF) to make it 3 - 1

NOVEMBER 9, 2025 • NHL.COM

Postgame Quotes: Jesperi Kotkaniemi | Carolina Hurricanes Jesperi Kotkaniemi speaks to the media following the 4-3 overtime win over the Los Angeles Kings.

OCTOBER 20, 2025 • NHL.COM

Lights lamp Saturday Kotkaniemi scored a goal on two shots and added two hits in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kings.

Impact Kotkaniemi was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the road trip, but he replaced Mark Jankowski for Saturday's contest. The days of the Hurricanes tolerating mediocrity from Kotkaniemi are apparently over -- he'll have to earn his place in the lineup, likely on the fourth line, now that Logan Stankoven is centering the second line. Kotkaniemi has two points, three shots on net, three hits and a plus-2 rating through three appearances, but his limited role offers minimal fantasy upside.

OCTOBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Lights lamp Saturday Kotkaniemi scored a goal on two shots and added two hits in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Kings.

OCTOBER 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Jarvis scores in OT, Hurricanes recover to beat Kings and stay undefeated

Seth Jarvis scored 1:45 into overtime and the Carolina Hurricanes extended their undefeated start despite giving up a three-goal lead in a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings

OCTOBER 19, 2025 • Associated Press

CAR@LAK: Kotkaniemi scores goal against Anton Forsberg | Carolina Hurricanes Jesperi Kotkaniemi (CAR) scores goal against Anton Forsberg (LAK) to make it 0 - 3

OCTOBER 19, 2025 • NHL.COM

Should be fine Kotkaniemi (face) is expected to be okay after getting a stick to the face in Friday's 6-5 preseason loss to Tampa Bay, Walt Ruff of the Hurricanes' official site reports Sunday.

Impact Kotkaniemi didn't participate in the morning skate, but he probably wasn't going to play against Nashville on Sunday anyway. He accounted for 12 goals and 33 points in 78 appearances during the 2024-25 regular season.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves late in contest Kotkaniemi took a high stick to the face in the third period of Friday's preseason game versus the Lightning and did not return.

Impact There was no update on Kotkaniemi's status after the game. Assuming he checks out fine, he could be available either Sunday versus the Predators or Monday against the Panthers. Barring a discouraging update, he should be fine by the time the Hurricanes open the regular season Oct. 9 versus the Devils.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

CAR@TBL: Kotkaniemi scores goal against Harrison Meneghin | Carolina Hurricanes Jesperi Kotkaniemi (CAR) scores goal against Harrison Meneghin (TBL) to make it 4 - 3

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • NHL.COM

FLA@CAR: Kotkaniemi scores goal against Daniil Tarasov | Carolina Hurricanes Jesperi Kotkaniemi (CAR) scores goal against Daniil Tarasov (FLA) to make it 2 - 0

SEPTEMBER 24, 2025 • NHL.COM

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Carolina Hurricanes and Seattle Kraken to play games in Helsinki in November

Carolina rookies Legault, Nystrom make team history by scoring 1st NHL points in win over Sabres

Hurricanes extend winning streak to 3 games with a 6-3 victory over the Sabres

Jarvis scores in OT, Hurricanes recover to beat Kings and stay undefeated