With Ässät this season, Jesperi Kotkaniemi would have manned the half-wall on the power play; evident from the sole preseason game the Finnish team broadcasted before the departure of their projected top centre. He was seen quarterbacking the offence from there, and there were already some impressive flashes even in the limited time he had to showcase his talent.
It is easy to see why this position suits him. He is a highly intelligent player, skilled, and, most of all, can make great use of deception to open scoring chances for himself and others. He’s capable of faking shots and passes alike and orchestrating many different set plays with this talent.