- BrownKotkaniemi’s skating is commonly cited as an issue. He’s quick, but his sometimes clunky stride will need tweaking and he lacks that separation or breakaway gear. However, Kotkaniemi rarely gets touched – unless he wants to engage physically. How does a player lacking that extra gear manage to turn the corner on defenders and keep distance from them?
The answer is a combination of skills. First, Kotkaniemi controls his speed. He lets players catch up to him by taking wider lanes or slowing down, baiting them to reach in and try to get the puck. Then, Kotkaniemi gears up and goes right past or through the defender, creating space.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C, Montreal: Kotkaniemi was very good in the first game versus the Czechs and just fine in the second game. He didn’t go to the showcase in Kamloops. At his best, he showed his dynamic skill and vision that catapulted him to be the third overall pick this past June. Kotkaniemi is such a creative playmaker who makes plays with pace and there were moments he showed some fantastic offensive instincts to create chances. The big question with him is how quickly can he push the pace. There were moments I thought his skating looked decent/average, other times he looked like he was lagging. I was really hoping to see him live in Kamloops to gauge that aspect with more scrutiny, but he didn’t attend. For now, despite the fact he’s not technically smooth, I grade him out as a roughly average skater.
World Junior Camp notes
World Junior Camp notes
Isnt he 9 months back from an ACL tear .
Isnt he 9 months back from an ACL tear .
For what it's worth, and I don't find much reason to agree with it, Corey Pronman has our farm system as 6th best in the NHL.
(Paywall)
https://theathletic.com/480910/2018/08/24/nhl-farm-system-rankings-no-6-montreal-canadiens/
For what it's worth, and I don't find much reason to agree with it, Corey Pronman has our farm system as 6th best in the NHL.
(Paywall)
https://theathletic.com/480910/2018/08/24/nhl-farm-system-rankings-no-6-montreal-canadiens/
Why the hell do people post a link to a paywall and then not share what is behind that pay wall?