Insider links Vancouver Canucks to former 3rd overall pick

They went out and made a big splash at the trade deadline, bringing in Jake Guentzel in a deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but weren't able to make it back to the Eastern Conference Final and are still looking for their first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final since 2006.

With their off-ice changes already underway, including today's news that Don Waddell stepped down as the team's General Manager, it's only a matter of time before the Hurricanes take a serious look at their roster and see who they'll keep next season and who they'll consider moving on from.

After a very disappointing performance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the regular season too, 23-year-old Jesperi Kotkaniemi could be on his way out the door in the coming weeks. Since leaving the Montreal Canadiens in 2021 after the Hurricanes successfully offer sheeted him, the Pori, Finland native has not lived up to the hype and could be in need of a fresh start elsewhere,

Many were wondering if the Carolina Hurricanes could consider buying out the remaining six years of his contract, but it appears that won't be the case. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, teams are interested in Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who has cap hit of $4.82 million, and one of those teams is the Vancouver Canucks.

In 79 games this season, Kotkaniemi had 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists), 36 penalty minutes and was a minus-four. He went on to only record one assist, along with four penalty minutes, in 11 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Depending on what the asking price could be for Jesperi Kotkaniemi, he could be an intriguing player to add to the Canucks and it would give him a fresh start under Rick Tocchet's system. Two years ago, he set career highs in goals and points with 18 and 43 respectively, but under Rick Tocchet, he could definitely push for 25 goals and 55+ points, if he buys in. One example from this past season is Dakota Joshua, who set new career marks in goals, assists, points and plus/minus because he had a strong offseason preparing for the year and he bought into Tocchet's system.

Do you think the Vancouver Canucks should go out and trade for Jesperi Kotkaniemi? Let us know what you think in the poll below!