Jesperi Kotkaniemi dealing with tragic family ordeal amidst contract negotiations

This has to be hard on Montreal Canadiens’ Jesperi Kotkaniemi… 

The young forward is already facing a new challenge this summer, as he is coming off of his entry-level contract and is now a restricted free agent, awaiting a new contract from the Habs.  

However, a significant family ordeal occurred in his family as it was announced that his father, Mikael Kotkaniemi, had been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing surgery to remove a tumour. 

Mikael Kotkaniemi is the head coach of Rauman Lukko in Finland, and it’s the team that revealed that he had undergone surgery and was dealing with the illness. They also mentioned how Mikael Kotkaniemi is now on leave to take care of himself and get better from this terrible disease. 

This has to be tough on Kotkaniemi, who attempted all season long to convince the Canadiens to sign him to a lucrative deal. He had five goals and 20 points in 56 regular season games last season then added five goals and eight points in 19 playoff contests.

While we understand how the contract negotiations have been important, we bet his focus has now shifted to his father and his recovery. 

Our thoughts go out to the Kotkaniemi family at this difficult time.