Montreal Canadiens first-round pick Jesperi Kotkaniemi (third overall) and Ottawa Senators’ first-rounder Brady Tkachuk (fourth overall) will start the season in the NHL, the teams confirmed Saturday. Kotkaniemi did not play in the Senators’ 3-0 win over the Canadiens on Saturday night at the Canadian Tire Centre. Senators coach Guy Boucher has liked what he’s seen from Tkachuk and says the American forward has earned the opportunity to be in Ottawa. The Senators are trying to decide whether they will start the season carrying seven or eight defencemen. The Canadiens will open the season Wednesday in Toronto as they take on the Maple Leafs.

Source: National Post September 30, 2018 03:11 UTC