Signs point to a recovering, bigger Jesperi Kotkaniemi

2019-20 wasn't kind to the Montreal Canadiens' Jesperi Kotkaniemi. After an impressive rookie season with the Habs as an 18-year-old, just barely old enough the play in the league, he started last October looking somewhat lost, and it started to show on the scoresheet. After managing just eight points (six goals, two assists) in 36 games with Montreal, he found himself sent to the minors for the first time in his career. Kotkaniemi looked much better in the minors, putting up 13 points (one goals, 12 assists) in 13 games before it was announced he would be out for the remainder of the season with a spleen injury. Tough luck to say the least.

Kotkaniemi would head back to his home country of Finland almost immediately and it was shortly after that both the AHL and NHL suspended play, with the AHL eventually cancelling the season entirely. However, if a recent picture posted to Instagram is any indication, the former third overall pick looks to be recovering nicely from his injury. Take a look:

Also, as Montreal beat reporter Eric Engels of Sportsnet pointed pointed out on Twitter, not only does Kotkaniemi appear to be recovering from the injury, but he's also looking much stronger.

One of the biggest knocks against Kotkaniemi when he first came into the league was his size. He was tall, at six-foot-two, but was lanky without much muscle. That appears to have changed drastically.

There's no word on whether Kotkaniemi will be on the Habs' roster for the first round play-in series against Pittsburgh. That will likely depend on whether he's fully recovered or still needs some time before being involved in physical contact.

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