Kotkaniemi opened the scoring in Friday's 2-1 overtime exhibition win against Tampa Bay.
Kotkaniemi redirected a shot from Martin Necas at 5:26 of the second frame. Kotkaniemi added three shots, one block and a plus-1 rating in 14:59 of ice time. The Finnish forward is expected to step into a second-line role while receiving time on the power play in 2024-25. The 24-year-old's career high in points is 43, set during the 2022-23 campaign.