In a stunning mid-series twist, the Carolina Hurricanes have made a bold roster move that is sending shockwaves through the hockey world. With the Eastern Conference Final heating up against the Florida Panthers, head coach Rod Brind’Amour has decided to remove Jesperi Kotkaniemi from the lineup, signaling a dramatic shift in the team’s approach.
Kotkaniemi, who has struggled to find his form in the playoffs despite a solid regular season, now finds himself on the sidelines at a crucial point in the series. The decision comes after a string of costly mistakes in Game 1, leaving fans and analysts questioning what comes next for the 24-year-old forward.
As Mark Jankowski steps in to fill the void, the Hurricanes are clearly prioritizing performance and accountability in their pursuit of a Stanley Cup berth. With Game 2 looming and Carolina trailing the series, all eyes are on how this shakeup will impact the team’s chemistry and their chances of turning the tide against a formidable Panthers squad.
Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
We have an update regarding former Montreal Canadiens forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
We didn’t see this one coming, but it’s clear that head coach Rod Brind’Amour has seen enough of Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
The Hurricanes are set to announce that Kotkaniemi is being removed from the lineup.
Wow.
That’s quite a major change to make in the middle of a third-round series against the Florida Panthers, but they clearly feel it’s the right decision for the team.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi Removed from the Hurricanes Lineup Mid-Series Against the Florida Panthers
Kotkaniemi made some questionable decisions in Game 1 against the Panthers. He made mistakes that hurt the team, and the Hurricanes have apparently had enough.
All signs point to Mark Jankowski taking the place of the former third-overall pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the Hurricanes’ lineup.
And here’s the confirmation from Renaud Lavoie:
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, 24, recorded 33 points in 78 games this season, and has added just 3 points (no goals) in 11 playoff games.
He is earning $4.82 million per year through 2030 and has struggled in the playoffs for the past few years.
Mark Jankowski, 30, recorded 8 points in 19 games with the Hurricanes this season (all goals), and has added one point in three playoff games.
A reminder that Game 2 of this Eastern Conference Final between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Florida Panthers takes place tonight at 8:00 PM, live from Raleigh.
Matthew Tkachuk’s squad leads the best-of-seven series 1-0.
News
JUST BRUTAL. In a devastating turn of events no one saw coming, Patrik Laine has suffered another HEARTBREAKING setback in his recovery. This unexpected complication has completely derailed his timeline, and sources are now whispering that his season—and potentially his career in Montreal—is in serious JEOPARDY.
Just when it seemed things couldn’t get any worse for Patrik Laine, another devastating blow has struck the Montreal Canadiens…
IT’S OFFICIAL. Martin St-Louis just made a SHOCKING lineup change, giving young phenom Ivan Demidov a massive promotion that will change EVERYTHING. This bold move signals a new era for the Canadiens’ offense and has sent a clear message that the youth movement has truly begun.
The wait is finally over. For weeks, Montreal Canadiens fans have been catching tantalizing glimpses of a significant shift on…
Martin St-Louis has delivered a ruthless and public message to Arber Xhekaj after his DISASTROUS game in Vancouver. His brutal benching is a clear sign that the coach’s patience has completely run out, leaving Xhekaj’s future with the Canadiens in serious JEOPARDY.
Martin St-Louis’s patience has finally run out, and he sent a message to Arber Xhekaj so loud and clear it…
Has Martin St-Louis finally had ENOUGH? His shocking new lineup decisions have sent a clear and brutal message to Arber Xhekaj, suggesting the enforcer’s time in Montreal could be over. Fans are in disbelief as this move hints that a trade is now IMMINENT.
A seismic shift is underway on the Montreal Canadiens’ blue line, and Martin St-Louis’s latest lineup decisions have sent a…
This is INSANE. A bombshell report has exposed the gargantuan contract demands for Mike Matheson, a deal that would make him one of the highest-paid defensemen in the league. Fans are in disbelief over the STAGGERING numbers, and it could force a franchise-altering decision: pay up or lose him FOREVER.
The Montreal Canadiens are facing a monumental decision that could define their defensive corps for years to come, and it…
CANADIENS’ $18 MILLION WAR CHEST EXPLODES INTO NHL CHAOS – SECRET MEGATRADE TO SNATCH A SUPERSTAR FRANCHISE KILLER FROM RIVALS IN A SHOCKING MIDNIGHT HEIST THAT WILL BURN THE LEAGUE TO THE GROUND AND CROWN MONTREAL THE NEW DYNASTY OVERNIGHT!
Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes just flipped the NHL’s power grid upside down—without lifting a finger. While the hockey world…
End of content
No more pages to load
