Canadiens' Kotkaniemi undergoes surgery, to be back for 2019-20 season

Montreal Canadiens forward Jesperi Kotkaniemi underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Tuesday. Kotkaniemi is expected to be recovered well before the start of the 2019-20 season.

"With regards to Jesperi, it was a chronic, minor injury that did not stop him from playing this past season," Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said in a statement. "Jesperi will remain in Montreal for the coming weeks to complete his rehabilitation program with our team's medical staff. We have been told by our medical group that there should be no delay in starting his offseason training." The 18-year-old Kotkaniemi had 11 goals and 23 assists (34 points) in 79 games in his first NHL season.

Kotkaniemi, who is from Finland, was the third overall pick of the 2018 NHL Draft.