Canadiens assign Kotkaniemi to AHL

Jesperi Kotkaniemi has been sent down to Laval for the first time in his career.

The Montreal Canadiens assigned the 19-year-old forward to their AHL affiliate, the club announced Saturday.

Kotkaniemi had collected six goals and eight points in 36 games this season. The 2018 third overall pick had gone six games without a point and had managed only one point (a goal) in his last 12 contests.

He was in his second campaign with the Canadiens after coming over from Finland. Kotkaniemi produced 11 goals and 34 points in 79 games as a rookie in 2018-19.