"It was a chronic, minor injury that did not stop him from playing this past season," general manager Marc Bergevin said. "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."
Kotkaniemi, who was selected No. 3 by the Canadiens in the 2018 NHL Draft, finished ninth among NHL rookies this season with 34 points and was tied with three players for sixth with 23 assists.
The Canadiens (44-30-8) finished fourth in the Atlantic Division, two points out of a Stanley Cup Playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
