It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re into 2026 and that means the hot stove talk is going to heat up. Trade talks usually intensify after the turn of the new year. Contending teams are trying to get things in place to make a push for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. We’ve seen teams make big splashes at past deadlines and this year could be no different. However, teams often have to give up something in order to get something.
One team that has been willing to take a risk at the deadline is the Carolina Hurricanes. This edition of NHL rumours deals with a depth forward that could be on the move.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Carolina Hurricanes May Trade Depth Forward for Fresh Start
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman mentioned that the Hurricanes could be willing to trade Jesperi Kotkaniemi to give the Finnish forward a fresh start in a new location.
Analysis: Kotkaniemi has struggled his tenure in Raleigh. He was the big splash that owner Tom Dundon made when he signed the Finn to an offer sheet from the Montreal Canadiens. Dundon’s motives may have been clouded in revenge after Sebastian Aho was signed to an offer sheet by the Habs. Carolina matched the offer sheet, but it seemed that Dundon remembered the perceived slight.
Kotkaniemi has struggled to find his place in the lineup with the Hurricanes. He netted a career-high 18 goals in 2022-23 but has yet to reach those heights again. The 25-year-old has only two goals and four assists for six points in 25 games so far this season. He’s also making $4.82 million per season until the end of the 2029-30 season.
Carolina has rolled the dice plenty of times at recent trade deadlines. General manager Eric Tulsky wasn’t shy about doing that last season and he could be inclined to make another big swing.
What It Means
Kotkaniemi is also feeling the sting of being left off the Finnish Olympic roster. It seems that his NHL struggles have gotten him omitted from the Finland roster. He’s been a healthy scratch for a few games this season in Carolina.
The young Finn is a solid depth forward that can help fill out a middle-six of a lineup. However, his price tag is pretty high for someone that’s more of a role player. He could be of use to another team, but Carolina likely wants to free up some salary cap space.
The Canes could deal Kotkaniemi as part of a larger package or trade him to free up salary cap space. Carolina may have to dip into the goalie market if it doesn’t completely trust Brandon Bussi and Frederik Andersen. The Canes may also want to shore up some scoring punch and getting nearly $5 million off the books could help in that quest.
It seems that Kotkaniemi is an odd man out in Rod Brind’Amour‘s setup at this time. A new team could be what the Finnish forwards needs to get back on track. However, we may not know until we get closer to the trade deadline.
Main photo by: James Guillory-Imagn Images