The Montreal Canadiens have submitted qualifying offers to Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Artturi Lehkonen and four other restricted free agents.
Forwards Michael Pezzetta and Ryan Poehling, defenceman Otto Leskinen and goaltender Michael McNiven -- all members of AHL Laval -- were also given qualifying offers.
The Canadiens have submitted qualifying offers to six players, including Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Artturi Lehkonen and Ryan Poehling.
https://t.co/wDs3Tt9L5P— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) July 26, 2021
This will allow the Canadiens to maintain exclusive negotiating rights with the players after free agency opens on Wednesday. The deadline to submit qualifying offers is 5 p.m. ET Monday.
Kotkaniemi, the third-overall pick in 2018, is coming off of his entry-level contract. He had five goals and 20 points in 56 regular season games last season then added five goals and eight points in 19 playoff contests.
Lehkonen is coming off of a three-year, $2.775 million contract with the Canadiens. The left winger had 13 points in 47 regular season games and four points in 17 playoff games.
