The Carolina Hurricanes came into 2023-24 with one of the deepest teams in the entire NHL, and after some solid additions at the trade deadline, it appears that depth has now seen a major healthy scratch. With the likes of Seth Jarvis and Martin Necas solidifying themselves in this lineup along with new additions Jake Guentzel and Evgeny Kuznetsov, the Hurricanes just don't have room for everyone, and now it appears as though Jesperi Kotkaniemi is the odd-man out.
His first scratch came a few nights ago, and it looks as though that is set to continue going forward, and although he's under contract for the next six years, the team are insistent on doing what's best for them right now. That's certainly not a good look after the No. 3 overall pick signing an offer sheet with the team was such a major story, but it's safe to say that those fans in Montreal aren't upset in losing him now.
Last season was a career year for Kotkaniemi, posting 43 points in 82 games played, but in 2023-24 he hasn't followed it up, tallying just 25 points in 76 games thus far, and with the playoffs approaching and their lines starting to solidify, this isn't a good look for the 23-year old who still has plenty of potential moving forward.
