Hurricanes Forward Out with Lower-Body Injury

On Thursday morning, Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Amour said the team will be without forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi for at least the next couple of weeks. Kotkaniemi suffered a lower-body injury on Monday against the Washington Capitals. He joins forward Jordan Martinook and defenseman Ethan Bea on the team's injury list.

Rod Brind’Amour shares an update on Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Not the best news…he will be out for at least a couple of weeks. #LetsGoCanes
— Abby Labar (@abbylabar_) March 31, 2022

The Finnish forward sustained the injury with only two seconds left in Monday's contest, as Capitals forward Lars Eller caught Kotkaniemi with a high hit. For the hit, Eller received a two-minute charging penalty but no additional discipline was given for the play.

Here was the hit from Lars Eller at the end of the game on Jesperi Kotkaniemi #LetsGoCanes pic.twitter.com/Y1xLCktGEW
— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) March 29, 2022

Prior to the hit, Kotkaniemi had an assist in the Hurricanes 6-1 win over the Capitals putting him on a three-game point streak. He had been playing a very effective bottom six role in his for season with the Canes after having signed an offer-sheet that stole him away from the Montreal Canadiens last summer. In 63 games this season, Kotkaniemi put up 11 goals and 26 points with a career best +5 rating. His 11 goals also tied his career high from his rookie season in 2018-19.

The 21-year old forward also recently signed an eight year deal worth about $4.82 million per season to remain in Carolina for the foreseeable future.

Kotkaniemi should hopefully be good to return for the playoffs but time will tell in the next upcoming weeks if the injury won't keep him out longer.

The Hurricanes will play Kotkaniemi's former team the Canadiens tonight at 7pm at the PNC arena. They will be looking to sweep the season series, having won the first two games.