Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Martin Necas, and Andrei Svechnikov have struggled with their self-confidence in previous seasons.
Necas signed a bridge deal this off-season after a lackluster 2022 season. He scored 40 points in 78 games. A point below his career-high 41-points in 2021 with 25 fewer games played.
Following a successful offer sheet from the Canes, Kotkaniemi moved to Carolina. His time with the historic Montreal Canadiens was a bit of a disaster and set his development back a few years.
Svechnikov gained a lot of needed confidence last season with career-highs in goals, assists, shots, and hits. Although, some still question his superstar status.
Their line started the season ON FIRE!!!
Martin Necas leads the team in points with five goals and six assists. His recent game-saving performance against the Philadelphia Flyers is still fresh in our minds. Some called for the 23-year-old forward to be dealt out of Carolina last season. Something Adam Gold of WRAL Sports has reported was never on the table. Now Necas is on a revenge tour.
I can almost hear him say it. “I have a particular set of skills. Skills I have acquired over a very long life. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you.”
Team leader in goals, Andrei Svechnikov is tied for second in the NHL with 7 goals. Trying to win in Edmonton on his own, he put up his first regular-season hat trick.
“Cool to get the hat trick.” Said Svechnikov “But, it is tough when you’re losing. You know it kind of sucks.” Svechnikov has taken on a more significant role this year. Even getting a few looks on the penalty kill totaling 0:52 seconds through eight games. I know that’s low. But he normally only gets around 60 seconds a season. It’s a big deal. Trust me on this.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi ties the two together. Rod Brind’Amour and Don Waddell have had the Finnish forward penciled in as their 2C since last August. Some viewed the move as a publicity stunt that would ultimately hurt the team. Most of them are above the 49th parallel.
His rocky start last season led to more doubt in his ability to replace Vincent Trocheck. Now his 57% win rate in the face-off circle leads the team. With only two assists Kotkaniemi’s role has mainly been to win the face and create time and space for Necas or Svechnikov.
The Confidence line has been dominant as a group. Their one goal against pails in comparison to the group’s six. 41% of the team’s 300-shot attempts have come from the trio. Almost half of the team’s total offense has come from their second line.
Let that sink in.
The three players’ confidence is at an all-time high, at least for now. Necas and Svechnikov place more faith in their shot-making ability and they’re getting rewarded. Kotkaniemi has not only shown he can be a 2C, but he’s also starting to remind me of Jordan Staal.
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