At just 25 years old, Jesperi Kotkaniemi is locked into one of the most team-friendly long-term deals in the NHL — an $38.56 $M, eight-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes that runs through 2029-30.
The Finnish center was drafted third overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2018, making him one of the most high-profile young players in a generation.
In this article, you’ll find a complete breakdown of Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s net worth, his verified NHL salary history, contract details, career statistics, and financial profile.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jesperi Kotkaniemi |
| Date of Birth | July 6, 2000 |
| Age | 25 |
| Nationality | Finnish |
| Position | Center |
| Current NHL Team | Carolina Hurricanes |
| NHL Draft | 2018, Montreal Canadiens, 3rd Overall |
| Years Active | 2018 – Present |
| Hometown | Pori, Finland |
| Net Worth | ~$17–$20 million (estimated) |
| Current Salary (AAV) | $4.82 million |
| Total Career Earnings | ~$26.9 million |
| @kotkaniemi |
Early Life & Path to the NHL
Jesperi Kotkaniemi grew up in Pori, Finland, in a family deeply rooted in professional hockey.
His father, Mikael Kotkaniemi, played over 200 games in SM-liiga — Finland’s top professional league — and later served as head coach of the Ässät club for three seasons between 2016 and 2018.
Hockey wasn’t just a pastime for the Kotkaniemi family; it was a way of life from the very start.
Jesperi began his junior career with Ässät in Finland, posting impressive numbers across multiple junior levels before breaking into the SM-liiga senior squad.
In the 2017–18 season, he played 57 games for Ässät’s top team, recording 10 goals and 19 assists for 29 points — a remarkable output for a 17-year-old playing against grown men.
That season put him on the international radar as a legitimate top-three NHL Draft prospect.
At the 2018 NHL Draft in Dallas, the Montreal Canadiens selected Kotkaniemi third overall, making him one of the most anticipated Finnish prospects to enter the league since the early 2000s.
He arrived in Montreal as an 18-year-old, surrounded by high expectations and intense media scrutiny in one of hockey’s most passionate markets.
NHL Career
Kotkaniemi’s debut 2018–19 season with the Montreal Canadiens was solid for a teenager — 11 goals and 34 points in 79 games.
However, his development hit early turbulence over the next two seasons, as he battled inconsistency and coaching-system changes that limited his ice time and role.
The real turning point came in the summer of 2021. In one of the most creative roster moves in recent NHL history, the Carolina Hurricanes tendered a one-year, $6.1 million offer sheet — and included a cheeky $20 signing bonus as a nod to the Hurricanes’ own Sebastian Aho, who wore No. 20.
The Canadiens declined to match, and Kotkaniemi headed to Raleigh, picking up a first-round and third-round draft pick as compensation for Montreal.
His first full season with Carolina in 2021–22 showed immediate growth — 12 goals and 29 points in 66 games.
He followed that with a career-best 18 goals and 43 points in 82 games during the 2022–23 season, his best offensive campaign to date.
Despite a dip in production in 2023–24 (12 goals, 27 points), he rebounded with 12 goals and 33 points in 78 games during the 2024–25 regular season.
As of the 2025–26 season, the Hurricanes were reportedly exploring trade options for the Finnish center, with reports from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicating the team felt Kotkaniemi needed a fresh start.
Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $17–$20 million.
He built this through his NHL contracts, career earnings totaling over $26.9 million in gross salary, and modest off-ice income. After accounting for taxes, agent fees (typically 3–4%), and living costs, a realistic post-tax net worth sits in the $17–$20 million range — consistent with third-overall draft picks who have spent six-plus seasons as NHL regulars.
NHL Contract
Kotkaniemi’s current deal is an eight-year, $38.56 million extension signed with the Carolina Hurricanes on March 21, 2022.
The contract carries an average annual value (AAV) of $4.82 million and runs through the 2029–30 season.
The entire $38.56 million is fully guaranteed. Starting in the 2025–26 season, Kotkaniemi has a modified 10-team no-trade clause built into the deal.
Salary
His annual cap hit of $4.82 million represents a mid-tier center salary in today’s NHL market.
His highest-earning single season was 2021–22, when he earned $6.1 million on the one-year offer sheet from Carolina before signing his long-term extension.
His current $4.82 million AAV ranked him as a solid secondary center, though some analysts have pointed out the contract feels rich given his 2023–24 production dip.
Career Earnings By Season
| Season | Team | Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | Montreal Canadiens | $925,000 | Entry-level contract, Year 1 |
| 2019–20 | Montreal Canadiens | $925,000 | Entry-level contract, Year 2 |
| 2020–21 | Montreal Canadiens | $925,000 | Entry-level contract, Year 3 |
| 2021–22 | Carolina Hurricanes | $6,100,035 | Offer sheet, 1-year deal |
| 2022–23 | Carolina Hurricanes | $4,000,000 | Extension Year 1 |
| 2023–24 | Carolina Hurricanes | $4,500,000 | Extension Year 2 |
| 2024–25 | Carolina Hurricanes | $4,820,000 | Extension Year 3 |
| 2025–26 | Carolina Hurricanes | $4,820,000 | Extension Year 4 |
| 2026–27 | Carolina Hurricanes | $4,820,000 | Extension Year 5 |
| 2027–28 | Carolina Hurricanes | $5,200,000 | Extension Year 6 |
| 2028–29 | Carolina Hurricanes | $5,200,000 | Extension Year 7 |
| 2029–30 | Carolina Hurricanes | $5,200,000 | Extension Year 8 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | Montreal Canadiens | 79 | 11 | 23 | 34 | +1 | 26 |
| 2019–20 | Montreal Canadiens | 36 | 6 | 2 | 8 | -11 | 23 |
| 2020–21 | Montreal Canadiens | 56 | 5 | 15 | 20 | -1 | 12 |
| 2021–22 | Carolina Hurricanes | 66 | 12 | 17 | 29 | — | 37 |
| 2022–23 | Carolina Hurricanes | 82 | 18 | 25 | 43 | — | 50 |
| 2023–24 | Carolina Hurricanes | 79 | 12 | 15 | 27 | -4 | 36 |
| 2024–25 | Carolina Hurricanes | 78 | 12 | 21 | 33 | +9 | 50 |
| 2025–26 | Carolina Hurricanes | 35 | 2 | 7 | 9 | — | — |
| NHL Totals | 511 | 78 | 125 | 203 | +7 | 242 |
FAQs
What is Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s net worth?
Kotkaniemi’s estimated net worth is around $17–$20 million. He built it primarily through his NHL contracts, including a fully guaranteed $38.56 million deal with the Carolina Hurricanes.
What is Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s current NHL salary?
He currently earns $4.82 million per year under an eight-year extension signed with the Carolina Hurricanes in March 2022. The contract runs through the 2029–30 season.
What was Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s highest-ever single-season salary?
His highest single-season salary was $6.1 million in 2021–22, earned on a one-year offer sheet the Carolina Hurricanes tendered after poaching him from the Montreal Canadiens.
How much has Jesperi Kotkaniemi earned in his NHL career?
According to verified salary data, Kotkaniemi has earned approximately $26.9 million in gross NHL salary through his career to date. His total contracted earnings, including future years, exceed $38 million.
Was Jesperi Kotkaniemi traded?
The Carolina Hurricanes were actively exploring trade options for Kotkaniemi, with reported discussions involving the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks. No official trade was confirmed at the time of publishing.
