Carolina Hurricanes Send Offer Sheet To Jesperi Kotkaniemi!

Right when we thought the craziness of the off-season was over, this happens.

The Carolina Hurricanes have tendered an offer sheet to Montreal Canadiens forward Jesper Kotkaniemi. It is a one-year, $6.1 million deal.

CAR offer sheet is 1 year, $6.1M https://t.co/BKLxNdmFeA
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) August 28, 2021

If the Canadiens decide not to match it, they will get back a first and third-round pick as compensation.

The Canadiens famously sent Sebastian Aho an offer sheet two years ago, which the Hurricanes of course matched. Therefore, it is pretty entertaining to see the Hurricanes return the favor and do it to one of the Canadiens most notable young forwards. Carolina's official Twitter account also is having a lot of fun about it.

Les Hurricanes ont annoncé aujourd’hui avoir déposé une offre hostile au joueur autonome avec restriction Jesperi Kotkaniemi des Canadiens de la Montreal. L’entente proposée est d’une durée de un ans et d’une valeur annuelle moyenne de 6,1 millions $.
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) August 28, 2021

pic.twitter.com/2U5O7xZJBS
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) August 28, 2021

The Canadiens drafted Kotkaniemi third overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. In 56 games this past season, the 21-year-old center scored five goals and recorded 20 points. He also scored five goals and had eight points in 19 playoff games.

In 171 games over three seasons with the Canadiens, he has 22 goals, 40 assists and 62 points.

Although the offense has yet to take off significantly, Kotkaniemi does have a lot of potential. It will be interesting to see what Montreal ends up deciding to do.

Lastly, the offer sheet comes with a $20 bonus, which of course is Aho's number. You can't make this stuff up.