By Apron Basu and Marc Antoine Godin (The Athletic)

When Jesperi Kotkaniemi was an 18-year-old rookie trying to survive in the NHL, far away from home, playing a different game on a smaller ice surface, he had a ton of help making that transition.

There were his Finnish teammates, particularly Antti Niemi, who made sure he understood everything happening around him. There was Shea Weber making sure Kotkaniemi was integrated into the social dynamic of the team. There was Victor Mete, who quickly befriended him.

But there was also Kirk Muller.

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