The experiment appears to be nearing its end. According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Carolina Hurricanes are actively soliciting trade offers for center Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Sources indicate the Hurricanes are looking for immediate “win-now” help in return, hoping to pivot from a contract that has become an anchor on their middle six. However, the reality of the situation is stark: Carolina recently attempted to use the 25-year-old as a package piece in blockbuster swings for Phillip Danault and Quinn Hughes, only to be rejected as those stars moved to Montreal and Minnesota, respectively. Now, the Hurricanes face a difficult truth—to move Kotkaniemi, they may have to pay up, not cash in.
The Offer Sheet Legacy: A win for PR, a loss for the Cap
As an analyst who has watched this saga unfold since 2021, it is impossible to view this potential trade without looking back at the hostile takeover that brought him to Raleigh. The Hurricanes successfully signed Kotkaniemi away from the Montreal Canadiens with a vengeance-fueled offer sheet, followed by an eight-year extension carrying a $4.82 million AAV. At the time, it was viewed as a masterstroke of asset management and a jab at a rival.
Fast forward to January 2026, and the “revenge” has lost its sweetness. Kotkaniemi has struggled to cement himself as a reliable second-line center. While he flashes skill, the consistency required to justify nearly $5 million against the cap simply hasn’t materialized. He is effectively playing fourth-line minutes while being paid like a core contributor.
The Trade Market Reality
Friedman notes that despite his struggles, there is legitimate interest in Kotkaniemi. This stems from a simple supply-and-demand issue: it is currently a severe seller’s market for centers. Teams are desperate down the middle. However, Carolina’s expectation of receiving a useful asset in return seems optimistic at best.
The Kings reportedly preferred a second-round pick for Danault over taking on Kotkaniemi’s contract. That speaks volumes. If the Hurricanes want to move him, they are looking at one of two scenarios:
- The “Bad Contract” Swap: Trading KK for another underachieving player on a similar deal, hoping a change of scenery sparks both.
- Salary Retention: The most likely path. To get anything better than a mid-round pick, Carolina will likely need to retain 50% of his salary. At $2.41 million, Kotkaniemi becomes a valuable reclamation project for a rebuilding team; at $4.82 million, he is a liability.
The failed bids for Hughes and Danault prove that the league views Kotkaniemi as a negative asset in his current state. Carolina needs cap space to compete for a Cup this spring, and shedding this contract—even if it costs them a sweetener—might be the “win-now” move they actually need to make.
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The post Is This The End? Why The Carolina Hurricanes Are Finally Trading Jesperi Kotkaniemi appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
