Kotkaniemi was one of four surprise additions to the Hurricanes' lineup on Friday as Jordan Staal, Jalen Chatfield, Brett Pesce, and Teuvo Teravainen are all out with undisclosed injuries. Tony DeAngelo, Brendan Lemieux, and Scott Morrow will also draw into the lineup.
Kotkaniemi will draw right back into the Hurricanes lineup on Friday after sitting out Thursday's game against the Bruins. He will fill in for Andrei Svechnikov, who is a late scratch due to an illness.
Kotkaniemi will be the odd man out on Thursday as Jesper Fast returns to the Hurricanes' lineup after a six-game absence. Kotkaniemi has struggled to replicate his success from 2022-23 this season, as he only has 11 goals and 25 points in 75 games played before this scratch.
Kotkaniemi missed the last five games with a lower-body injury but will play Thursday vs. the Devils. Kotkaniemi will replace Jordan Staal, who is being rested. Kotkaniemi has picked up three assists in his last five games but has just four assists in his last 19 games.
Kotkaniemi is "nicked up" with an undisclosed injury, so he's not expected to play Monday in Arizona. With both Kotkaniemi and Jordan Staal out, look for Derek Stepan and Steven Lorentz to draw back in.
Kotkaniemi has been out since March 28th but will replace Steven Lorentz in the lineup on Thursday. Kotkaniemi has 26 points (11G / 15A) in 63 games this season while playing primarily in the bottom-6 and PP2.
Kotkanieimi suffered a lower-body injury late in Tuesday's win in Washington on a questionable hit from Lars Eller. Jordan Martinook (undisclosed) could be back in the lineup on Thursday to replace Kotkanieimi on the fourth line.
Kotkaniemi missed three games while in COVID-19 protocol but will play Saturday in Minnesota. Kotkaniemi will replace Steven Lorentz and skate on the fourth line with Derek Stepan and Jordan Martinook.
Kotkaniemi likely will not be available for Monday's game in Toronto after testing positive for COVID-19 on Sunday. It's unclear who will replace him in the lineup, with the only reserve forward being Teuvo Teravainen, who is a game-time decision. The Hurricanes may have to call up Josh Leivo from the AHL if Teravainen can't play.
Kotkaniemi was a healthy scratch for Game 1 vs. Toronto but will replace Jake Evans (undisclosed) in the lineup for Game 2. Kotkanieimi, who will centre the fourth line, had 20 points (5G / 15A) in 56 games this season.
Kotkaniemi will be a surprise scratch for Game 1 of the postseason, as the Canadiens go with Phillip Danault, Nick Suzuki, Eric Staal and Jake Evans down the middle. In addition to Kotkaniemi, Cole Caufield and Alexander Romanov will both scratched as well.
With Brendan Gallagher returning to the lineup, someone has to sit and much, to everyone's surprise, it looks like Kotkaniemi will get a night in the stands. Kotkaniemi remained on the ice with the injured players and other presumed scratches, so look for him to sit in Buffalo.
Kotkaniemi has missed the last eight games with a concussion but will play Saturday in Tampa Bay. Kotkaniemi will replace Joel Armia, who is now week-to-week with an upper-body ailment. Kotkaniemi has scored just three goals and two assists (five points) in 22 games this season.
Kotkaniemi will not play Saturday vs. the Red Wings but will travel to Western Canada with the team next week, suggesting he could play before the Christmas break. The Habs have gone 4-2-0 without Kotkaniemi.
