Kotkaniemi's candid reflections reveal a young player who has faced significant challenges with weight management, media pressure, and confidence throughout his NHL career, learning valuable lessons from mentors like Joe Armia about mental health management and from Rod Brind'Amour about maximizing his strengths. His ongoing search for the 'best version' of himself, coupled with his weight fluctuations from 178 to 210 and back to 200 pounds, suggests a player still working to find his optimal playing identity.