Impact Kotkaniemi was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after suffering a spleen injury while playing for AHL Laval in early March, but the NHL's extended hiatus has evidently afforded the 19-year-old pivot enough time to make a full recovery. The third overall pick from the 2018 Draft will be available for the Canadiens' play-in round against the Penguins, but at this point there's no telling whether coach Claude Julien will opt to insert him into the lineup. Kotkaniemi notched six goals and eight points while posting a minus-11 rating in 36 top-level games before being sent to the minors Feb. 1.
JUNE 26, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
