5 players that can replace Jesperi Kotkaniemi

1. There are NHL trade rumors going around that the Montreal Canadiens will use the assets from the Hurricanes to make a trade for Christian Dvorak.

Besides a trade for Dvorak, here are four other options that TVA Sports lists as a potential replacement for Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

2. Elias Pettersson: He is in a similar situation to Kotkaniemi, being a free agent with compensation. He's still looking for a deal with the Vancouver Canucks and even though he has mentioned enjoying Western Canada, he wants to make sure he's part of a competitive team contending for the Stanley Cup.

3. Sean Monahan: Perhaps a change of scenery would do Sean Monahan some good, who had an off year this past season but put up 82 points in the 2018-19 season. Monahan, 26, has a cap hit of $ 6.375 million for the next two seasons.

4. Jack Eichel: He has a bad neck, a big contract, not sure the Habs can fit his cap hit into the teams current salary cap situation. Never say never but the Sabres would want Cole Caufield as part of a package.

5. Eric Staal: He took a little while to get started when he joined the Canadiens by way of a trade on March 26, but has proven to be an effective player. The 36-year-old veteran is not of the same caliber as the players featured above, but he can still provide a very useful service to the team.

Credit: NHLTradeRumor