they're happy with it. Why would they not be? They've got a talented young Finn who, yes, has struggled for the past couple years, but still has very good potential and will be well insulated in Raleigh.

They still have an exceptionally deep prospect pool, and Kotkaniemi himself is young enough that he can be considered a prospect himself.
- BINGO!

If KK doesn't go ahead and sign a reduced AAV extension this year as some have predicted, I don't think there is any way to spin this positively in Car, unless of course he all of sudden shows he's a 60+ point winger in the top 6. I see Car taking a lot of risk here.

they're happy with it. Why would they not be? They've got a talented young Finn who, yes, has struggled for the past couple years, but still has very good potential and will be well insulated in Raleigh.

They still have an exceptionally deep prospect pool, and Kotkaniemi himself is young enough that he can be considered a prospect himself.
- BINGO!

Yeah of course he can turn out and be a decent player. There is that chance but there’s been little sign of that so far. Maybe Carolina is the place it happens maybe it isn’t? To me 6 million this year and next for a QO while giving up a first and a third isn’t worth the risk especially when you’ll most likely need that cap space around the TDL. Again, he can turn out but to me it’s a pretty big risk. If you’re happy with it I guess that’s what matters you’re a fan

If KK doesn't go ahead and sign a reduced AAV extension this year as some have predicted, I don't think there is any way to spin this positively in Car, unless of course he all of sudden shows he's a 60+ point winger in the top 6. I see Car taking a lot of risk here.
- Beergu

If he has a halfway decent season and bets on himself (which he should do according to canes fans because they seem confident he’ll be great) he’ll want that qualifying offer. Why wouldn’t he? If he takes less and longer term and leaves money on the table that to me is a BIG red flag.

If KK doesn't go ahead and sign a reduced AAV extension this year as some have predicted, I don't think there is any way to spin this positively in Car, unless of course he all of sudden shows he's a 60+ point winger in the top 6. I see Car taking a lot of risk here.
- Beergu

Oh it's a lot of risk, don't get me wrong. it can go well, there's lots of ways it can go poorly as well.

Definitely riskier than what Montreal ended up doing.

People need to stop focusing on the 6.1M for ONE year. Everyone knew, including KK, that this was way too much money. That was basically an advance in cash and what CAR needed to do if they wanted MTL to walk away. So unless KK has a phenomenal year, CAR will resign him to a lesser cap hit and that's it. KK's performance will dictate who wins this "trade".
- Douchetacular

No way is he getting paid less that 6.1M again next year.

If he has a phenomenal year, they will sign him to a longer term contract worth at least 6.1M AAV or more. If he has a less than stellar year, they're forced to bet on him for another year at 6.1M (or let him walk, but that would look awful to the fans and other GMs).