Jets White Out
Fansided

Winnipeg Jets Are Smart For Shipping Vesalainen To Europe

By Dylan Paré

WINNIPEG, MB - OCTOBER 9: Kristian Vesalainen #93 of the Winnipeg Jets looks on from the bench during second period action against the Los Angeles Kings at the Bell MTS Place on October 9, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets defeated the Kings 2-1. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - OCTOBER 9: Kristian Vesalainen #93 of the Winnipeg Jets looks on from the bench during second period action against the Los Angeles Kings at the Bell MTS Place on October 9, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The Jets defeated the Kings 2-1. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Only a few days ago, the Winnipeg Jets sent Kristian Vesalainen back home to Europe, putting an end his 2018/19 season in Winnipeg. This was a smart move by the management.

Coming into this season, Kristian Vesalainen was looking like he had a good shot at cracking the Winnipeg Jets opening roster. A good camp, and pre-season secured it for him, getting him a spot on the Jets for the season opener. Although he recorded a point in his first game, he wasn’t able to re-create anything on the scoreboard in his following games.

Kristian Vesalainen isn’t a bust or a failure for not being able to stick with the deep Winnipeg Jets roster this year, in fact this is perfectly normal. I mean, you can’t expect to give a guy five to eight minutes a game and have him light it up for you.

As a matter of fact, if the Winnipeg Jets would’ve kept Vesalainen, I would say they were out of their minds. This is a guy who needs to develop. Look at Mark Scheifele, he didn’t just jump into the Jets lineup right away. Sure, he got some games, but then was reassigned to the Barrie Colts. He started off slow like Vesalainen, but look at him now…

KV is still young, and at his stage of his hockey career, he needs to develop. Having the kid on your fourth line half the time and scratched the other half doesn’t get you a good player, it just gets you an Alex Burmistrov 2.0.

Kristian will be joining Jokerit Helsinki of the KHL, who recently just acquired his rights. Jokerit is a very strong team this year, boasting a 20-5-4 record. Vesalainen will join this team in hopes for more ice time, as well as more development for his likely return to the Winnipeg Jets next season.

Jokerit has a few former NHL/AHL players who were never really able to make it, such as Brian O’Neill, the team’s current point leader, Viktor Loov, Steve Moses, Nicklas Jensen, Sami Lepisto, and Jesse Joensuu. Vesalainen will be among players with a little bit of NHL or AHL experience, like himself.

Next. Winnipeg Jets: Is The Finish Flash 2.0 Back In Business?. dark

RELATED PRODUCT

Winnipeg Jets Youth Family Holiday Pajamas - 14/16 (L)
Winnipeg Jets Youth Family Holiday Pajamas - 14/16 (L) /

Winnipeg Jets Youth Family Holiday Pajamas - 14/16 (L)

Buy Now!

Buy Now!

The Winnipeg Jets face off against the St. Louis Blues tonight without Vesalainen on their roster, at 7PM EST.

Home/Editorials