You don't spark buyout talk for being a "Touch" overpaid.

He's a 30-40 point forward (Who doesn't really bring anything to the table outside that minimal offense) with a near $5M pricetag for the next 6 years, whose linemates played better away from him. He was getting healthy scratched at the end of the regular season and was a near non-factor in the playoffs.

He's an NHL player. He likely will (And should) get another contract if he gets bought out. He's just nothing special.

He's not going to be bought out. He's a 30-40 point forward with extreme defensive accumen. He's played with garbage linemates all year, and was a strong factor in the postseason, once again being the 3rd highest chance creating Hurricane. He's a very strong 3C. At the age of 23, that's not worth losing.

LOL. Ok.

His defensive acumen is so good that they don't even throw him on the PK.

And?Being good defensively 5on5 doesn't mean he's necessarily good defensively 4on5

Another way of saying this is "He's not that good defensively."

What? He's good defensively 5-on-5 bud. He has been since he came into the league, that's why he's still in the league... stop it. He's not a good enough skater to kill penalties at this point

"Extreme defensive acumen" 5 on 5 which somehow turns into being a **** defensive player on the PK.

Keeeeeep swinging.

What are you talking about? He's a very good defensive player, he could play on the PK, but the Canes PK was #1 in the NHL anyway and Kotkaniemi wasn't needed. Why put him on it when you already have the leagues best PK? Stop spouting BS because you don't watch KK brother

First he's got "Extreme defensive acumen". Then he's good defensively 5 on 5, but not 5 on 4. Now he apparently IS good 5 on 4, they just don't use him there.

Pick one dude.

What are you talking about? He's good defensively in any situation, he's very strong 5-on-5, and could play 4-on-5 if the team wanted him to. The concerns over his skating and the fact the team has the best PK in the league anyway is why he doesn't. What's so hard to understand about that brother? Or are you just spouting more BS?

And?Being good defensively 5on5 doesn't mean he's necessarily good defensively 4on5

He's not a good enough skater to kill penalties at this point

I'm quoting you, genius.

As I said, he's good enough to, there;s just concerns about his skating.... maybe you should read what I said before screwing up what I said...

"I said he's good enough to!"

"He's. Not. A. Good. Enough. Skater. To. Kill. Penalties."

Your exact words. Yours.

Concerns about his skating, as I said... maybe you should read again!

He's not going to be bought out. He's a 30-40 point forward with extreme defensive accumen. He's played with garbage linemates all year, and was a strong factor in the postseason, once again being the 3rd highest chance creating Hurricane. He's a very strong 3C. At the age of 23, that's not worth losing.

I've read it multiple times. You literally said he's not a good enough skater to kill penalties lol.