Mike Sullivan, head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins, compared the experience to a teacher. In his eyes, experience teaches you lessons in life in glory or in failure.
Sullivan’s words can be applied to Jesperi Kotkaniemi. At only 20 years old and in his second season in the NHL, Kotkaniemi has already taken some important lessons. He experienced the happiness of reaching the NHL at the early age of 18, but also the pain of being sacked in the American League in his second campaign.
Joël Bouchard also likes to say that there is no “Harvard of hockey.” You learn to become a good player with experience, with the baggage of experience.
On Saturday night, Kotkaniemi will don the Canadiens’ uniform for the first game of the qualifying round against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He will be the team’s third center with Paul Byron and Artturi Lehkonen by his side.
If the challenge remains great for the Finn, Bouchard believes that his former protégé with the Rocket de Laval will be up to the task.
“Like everyone else, I thought he played well against the Maple Leafs,” Bouchard said in a phone interview with The Journal. I found him to be quick and intense. KK is still a young player. You should never forget that. Yes he is a third choice overall and there are expectations. When I looked at his attendance, I noticed his involvement and his desire to make a difference. It wasn’t perfect, but it was encouraging. ”
“The Canadian will bet on Suzuki and Kotkaniemi in the center position against the Penguins. Claude [Julien] will not often have the last change. There are presences where KK will find themselves against a Crosby or a Malkin. He will learn from this experience, it’s just positive. ”
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A good attitude
Author of only 8 points (6 goals, 2 assists) in 36 games with CH, Kotkaniemi took the road to the Rocket on February 1. Bouchard remembers that day perfectly.
“He didn’t arrive in Laval with his tongue on the ground and he was not above his business. When you return a promising youngster to the American League, sometimes it’s hard on the ego. They have the feeling that it is a failure, that they have missed their point. This was not the case with KK. He had the right attitude. ”
“He came out with players a little more of his age group and he wasn’t playing star,” said the colorful head coach of the Rocket. He was just happy to be there. With the Canadian, he was more hidden behind the veterans and established players. With the Rocket, it became more of his team, he could transport the team. “
A long-term vision
Kotkaniemi didn’t shy away from his early days with the Rocket. Far from there.
“His morale was perfect. Jesperi was even happy to arrive in Laval, said Bouchard. He’s a smart little guy, he’s not a nono. He knew it was a good thing for his development. Cale Fleury had just returned with the Rocket for only a few days. KK and Cale are good friends. Cale also told me that KK was happy to be with the Rocket. ”
“Sometimes there are young people who just look at the present, but in Jesperi’s case, he kept a long-term view,” he continued. When he arrived I sat down with him and we chatted for an hour. He saw that his game was not at the level he wanted it to be, but that he needed to play to rebuild his confidence. “
“Claude always says it. The NHL is a performance league, not a development league. With me, he found a development league. He came to find the minutes he needed to improve. And in Montreal, Claude could not offer him the same. ”
Unexplored potential
In a fairly brief sample, Kotkaniemi regained his confidence with the Rocket, scoring 13 points (1 goal, 12 assists) in 13 games. He had injured his spleen on March 6 just days before the American League season was interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“KK did things on the ice, in a game or in training, that no Rocket player has been able to do in two years,” Bouchard recalled. I’m talking about the skills side. ”
For Bouchard, patience will remain the key weapon with Kotkaniemi. We must not forget that he has just celebrated his 20th birthday (July 6).
“I still believe in its potential. I don’t see him just as a good player in the NHL, but a possible very good player. He has potential, there’s no doubt about it. The fun thing about KK is that you don’t know your cap yet. It’s still too early. He really has great skills, but there is still work to be done. ”
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