Do they really just throw a first and third away by not signing Kotkaniemi?

They will extend Kotkaniemi for less than 6.1M

If it’s possible to sign Kotkaniemi for significantly less money I’d definitely do that

They're better off spending their cap elsewhere tbh. And Kotkaniemi has a 6M$ QO as leverage, so he doesn't have to sign for less than he thinks he can get on the open market.

So far, the move for Kotkaniemi has backfired and moreso with a $6.1m qualifying offer

He wants to play there, they offered him 6.1M when he was supposed to get under 3M in MTL. They believe in him and they will stick with him. Can’t see why he would want to go elsewhere

I view it as - Hurricanes are contending right now and they can't afford to spend much cap on hopefuls. Let's say they offer him 2.5M$ or something, Kotkaniemi could think he gets more on Seattle or Columbus or wherever as UFA, as well as more playing time.

They wanted to be snarky more than they believed in the player, just my opinion.

They have to give him the QO I believe or he's off to greener pastures and becomes a UFA

That's why this player has been incredible and spent a prolonged period on the top line...

KK hasn't put up the points to concur worlds, but he's been very good. Yes, right now he's on the 4th line, but he's getting an audition at C. He's been playing left wing all year, and with some success. Now he's actually playing down the middle, and he looks fantastic. Yes, there's holes, but there's certainly a player here to work with.

Keep watching and you'll soon figure out your quote is out some where in left field.
K.K will be out of NHL in two years.

He's been performing below replacement level, nothing screams "some success" here.

I've watched him all year, and he's been fantastic. He seems to be getting stronger by the game. Since they moved him to C, he's genuinely been the best line.

His xGAR is significantly above replacement. He's not world beating, but he's a solid depth piece. His xGA/60 is good, and his xWAR has increased since he moved to C. While that is only a small sample size, there's a lot to like with KK...

Are you American?

Does that matter?

Expected numbers don't mean much as long as you don't show you can translate it in real numbers, and one could think this is due to spending time with good players and elite players. Relative to teammates his numbers show that the "good numbers" you're giving him credits for are just enhanced by better Hurricanes players.

Relative to teammate G±/60 : 18th/20 players
Relative to teammate S±/60 : 12/20
Relative to teammate F±/60 : 14/20
Relative to teammate xG±/60 : 20/20
Relative to teammate xGF/60 : 19/20

a couple non-KK related things. I don't think Suzuki will be NHL ready for next year, he has been progressing less than I would personally like and he has had some very unfortunate injuries slowing him down. I would slot in Rees instead. He looked NHL ready in the pre-season, got hurt, and is now once again looking NHL ready. Also I would prefer not signing Pavelski, but instead using that money to make a more balanced D. I think Jarvis-Necas-Fast-??? is good enough on the right wing.