Prospect Info: At 24th Overall the Jets Select Kristian Vesalainen

[garret9]

Ehlers can play RW, Connor C, Vesalainen RW.

It shouldn't be an issue regardless

Connor hasn't played C for 3.5 seasons, when he was 16. He's a winger.

 

[StatisticsAddict99]

Connor hasn't played C for 3.5 seasons, when he was 16. He's a winger.

Do you think Roslovic can potentially be a Top 6 Centerman and if Jets go that direction do you think the organization would want to keep him in the AHL for developmental reasons?

 

[Ippenator]

U18 MVP and scoring leader at #24 is absolutely steal. Yes there is character issue and it's called being a finn. Im sure you're already familiar with it, one seems to be inwards on discussion, lack of interest, awkward, response very little if at all, avoid eye contact. He will be fine, Armia and Laine will be perfect mentors for him.

I believe he is a bit risky steal, although I at least see the risk as relatively low, so I think he can be definitely called a steal - at least so far.

But his character issues definitely have nothing to do with him being a typical Finn. Because he definitely is not a typical Finn. He is not quiet and grumpy, and he speaks very good English with extremely good pronunciation. But he definitely is cocky and a bit full of himself. It can be very well heard and seen in his interviews. So far he has also talked pretty disrespectfully of his previous clubs. It seems that it has been completely his clubs fault if he has not been producing. At least this has been pointed out by himself in interviews.

Still I don't see him as ultra cocky, and I rather see a bit cocky Finnish prospect, than an apologetic softie, which we have a bit too often had in the past. As long as the cocky prospect understands the value of hard training and does all he can to keep himself in the best physical condition, as Laine is doing for example. Vesalainen is training seriously and he seems to be very ambitious, so these are the main reasons why I'm not too much afraid of his cocky attitude. I think his cockiness anyway has most to do with his age and lacking still experience in life in general.

 

[FinProspects]

Good size,speed, excellent athlete.

What I dont see is scoring line skill level,decision making with the puck or hockey iq.

He had a difficult season, but was in talks to be a top5-10 pick before, so there is an obvious potential there.

I dont see any similarities in Vesalainen with Armia nor especially Laine,except the size. A poor mans Puljujärvi maybe?

Let him get some proper seasons in Liiga under his belt, and lets revisit this subject in few years.

 

[ijuka]

Hm, the reactions to this pick are surprisingly lukewarm. I'd like to remind everyone that this isn't a top 5 pick or even a top 10 pick. It's top 24, during a weak draft year. Getting a prospect of this caliber at #24 should be considered a steal on any draft year and especially during a weak one.

 

[ps241]

I believe he is a bit risky steal, although I at least see the risk as relatively low, so I think he can be definitely called a steal - at least so far.

But his character issues definitely have nothing to do with him being a typical Finn. Because he definitely is not a typical Finn. He is not quiet and grumpy, and he speaks very good English with extremely good pronunciation. But he definitely is cocky and a bit full of himself. It can be very well heard and seen in his interviews. So far he has also talked pretty disrespectfully of his previous clubs. It seems that it has been completely his clubs fault if he has not been producing. At least this has been pointed out by himself in interviews.

Still I don't see him as ultra cocky, and I rather see a bit cocky Finnish prospect, than an apologetic softie, which we have a bit too often had in the past. As long as the cocky prospect understands the value of hard training and does all he can to keep himself in the best physical condition, as Laine is doing for example. Vesalainen is training seriously and he seems to be very ambitious, so these are the main reasons why I'm not too much afraid of his cocky attitude. I think his cockiness anyway has most to do with his age and lacking still experience in life in general.

This might be the best post I have read that captures what I have dug in and found out about our prized Fin. He didn't make many friends with teammates this past season but at least he owned that challenge in his interviews at the combine from what I heard. The bolded part I didn't know and is massive for me and thanks for posting it. To be crystal clear I was less worried about character issues with teams and much more worried about his drive, work ethic, training. I was really afraid that this toolsy kids cockiness was more of the "I'm already great and don't like or need to train hard" defiant entitlement type attitude. That would have killed this kid. As long as he is driven and puts in the work off the ice I can live with the other stuff for now.

Evander Kane was a jackass but he worked very hard and thats why, despite being a ****** bag, he was still a valuable asset on the ice. At #24 we weren't going to get a top 10 talent without a bit of hair on it.

 

[Lempo]

I was really afraid that this toolsy kids cockiness was more of the "I'm already great and don't like or need to train hard" defiant entitlement type attitude. That would have killed this kid. As long as he is driven and puts in the work off the ice I can live with the other stuff for now.

I don't think a Finn kid could pull off beating his own chest with "I'm the greatest! I'm the greatest there is!" in a locker room where two seats away Laine is chatting with Ehlers about some PlayStation stuff.

Aaaannd there's a long way to that locker room yet.

 

[ps241]

I don't think a Finn kid could pull off beating his own chest with "I'm the greatest! I'm the greatest there is!" in a locker room where two seats away Laine is chatting with Ehlers about some PlayStation stuff.

Aaaannd there's a long way to that locker room yet.

Yesterday one of the Fin posters mentioned he didn't train hard this past season and that scared the **** out of me so it was nice to read a post where it sounds like the kid is driven and willing to put in the work. As you mentioned it's harder to be cocky when you are surrounded by Laine, Ehlers, Wheeler etc although that never stopped EK9

 

[Lempo]

"I believe I could be playing in NHL in a couple of years. It surely will do good for me to play at least a year more in HPK and seek for big minutes there. I'm a sizeable geezer, and going forwards I have to drive even more to the goal. I have to be more shameless", he said in Yle interview after the Draft.

http://www.suomikiekko.com/2017/06/...osto-winnipegilta-parin-vuoden-paasta-nhlssa/

 

[jetdiehard]

The other 23 teams didn't take him will tell you something plus he hasn't scored a pail full of goals.
Time will tell on this kid.

 

[ps241]

"I believe I could be playing in NHL in a couple of years. It surely will do good for me to play at least a year more in HPK and seek for big minutes there. I'm a sizeable geezer, and going forwards I have to drive even more to the goal. I have to be more shameless", he said in Yle interview after the Draft.

http://www.suomikiekko.com/2017/06/...osto-winnipegilta-parin-vuoden-paasta-nhlssa/

Ok I need your Fin take on what he means by "I have to be more Shameless"?

 

[Lempo]

Ok I need your Fin take on what he means by "I have to be more Shameless"?

"röyhkeä" is the word he used. There doesn't seem to be a good straight English translation, but in context it's the sort of on-ice arrogance that doesn't bow to anyone (in the opposing team mainly ). You go to goal and seek the place the D isn't in, and if the D nevertheless is in you don't acknowledge his right of being there.

 

[Whileee]

This might be the best post I have read that captures what I have dug in and found out about our prized Fin. He didn't make many friends with teammates this past season but at least he owned that challenge in his interviews at the combine from what I heard. The bolded part I didn't know and is massive for me and thanks for posting it. To be crystal clear I was less worried about character issues with teams and much more worried about his drive, work ethic, training. I was really afraid that this toolsy kids cockiness was more of the "I'm already great and don't like or need to train hard" defiant entitlement type attitude. That would have killed this kid. As long as he is driven and puts in the work off the ice I can live with the other stuff for now.

Evander Kane was a jackass but he worked very hard and thats why, despite being a ****** bag, he was still a valuable asset on the ice. At #24 we weren't going to get a top 10 talent without a bit of hair on it.

In a way, I could see Vesalainen having sort of the same on-ice impact of Kane. Big, fast and a real shot-driver. I think he has higher IQ, but less speed and physicality.

But it seems very unlikely that his personality will be near as toxic as Kane's was, and the Jets have a ton of leadership in place to guide him.

 

[CorgisPer60]

The other 23 teams didn't take him will tell you something plus he hasn't scored a pail full of goals.
Time will tell on this kid.

Don't give me this logical fallacy, especially when literal Luc Robitaille prefaced the entire draft with a monologue about how many hall of fame hockey players and current generation Superstars fell through the first round.

 

[ps241]

"röyhkeä" is the word he used. There doesn't seem to be a good straight English translation, but in context it's the sort of on-ice arrogance that doesn't bow to anyone (in the opposing team mainly ). You go to goal and seek the place the D isn't in, and if the D nevertheless is in you don't acknowledge his right of being there.

Ok got it and thanks. I thought he was talking about his personality but its a playing style quote.

 

[ps241]

In a way, I could see Vesalainen having sort of the same on-ice impact of Kane. Big, fast and a real shot-driver. I think he has higher IQ, but less speed and physicality.

But it seems very unlikely that his personality will be near as toxic as Kane's was, and the Jets have a ton of leadership in place to guide him.

Yea he has all the markings of a Corsi beast. Might need to put him with a natural scorer but there is lots to like in his game.

 

[Lempo]

Ok got it and thanks. I thought he was talking about his personality but its a playing style quote.

Well, we don't know how the reporter edited it etc, but it's said right after the driving to the goal bit, so it is a continuation of the thought.

Plus, I don't expect anyone to effectively say that they are working hard to become a bigger *******.

 

[ps241]

Well, we don't know how the reporter edited it etc, but it's said right after the driving to the goal bit, so it is a continuation of the thought.

Plus, I don't expect anyone to effectively say that they are working hard to become a bigger *******.

Ok I just laughed out loud. You missed our Evander Kane days he use to hint at it allot.

 

[BB88]

In a way, I could see Vesalainen having sort of the same on-ice impact of Kane. Big, fast and a real shot-driver. I think he has higher IQ, but less speed and physicality.

But it seems very unlikely that his personality will be near as toxic as Kane's was, and the Jets have a ton of leadership in place to guide him.

I think he can be more versatile than Kane. Kane is very frustrating to watch his his shoot 1st& only mentality.

I liked what he said on that Suomikiekki interview, he could be a force in front of the net if he decides to and sounds like that's his goal.
I like that he has good hands for 6'4 winger, and I also wouldn't be too disappointed if it took few years for him to break into the lineup. Quality ELC contracts are going to be usefull in 2-5 years time.

HPK is going to be a team to watch with Luukkonen& Vesalainen.

 

[kittiecarlyle]

Great pick. How's his speed?

Very good skater and has speed that translates well.

 

[kittiecarlyle]

In a way, I could see Vesalainen having sort of the same on-ice impact of Kane. Big, fast and a real shot-driver. I think he has higher IQ, but less speed and physicality.

But it seems very unlikely that his personality will be near as toxic as Kane's was, and the Jets have a ton of leadership in place to guide him.

Like Laine last year his passing ability is not being noted as much as it should. Vesalainen makes quicker, shorter passes but it is real plus in his game.

The vision/iq is evident to me when you really watch this aspect of his game.

 

[kittiecarlyle]

Hm, the reactions to this pick are surprisingly lukewarm. I'd like to remind everyone that this isn't a top 5 pick or even a top 10 pick. It's top 24, during a weak draft year. Getting a prospect of this caliber at #24 should be considered a steal on any draft year and especially during a weak one.

According to so many posts here, this must have been an exceptional draft as we missed out on so many HOF players by moving off pick 13

 

[BB88]

10s>, atleast with Vesalainen there are no concerns around his skating, and he doesn't have the "awkward" puck handling we've seen with Pulju.

 

[CaptainChef]

Like Laine last year his passing ability is not being noted as much as it should. Vesalainen makes quicker, shorter passes but it is real plus in his game.

The vision/iq is evident to me when you really watch this aspect of his game.

Wow, the more I hear about this kid the more I like him. Passing ability - super; vision, IQ -- a must.

For sure, we didn't need another good winger but a BIG winger with skill and attitude, I like it. We will need some infusion of new top 6 power forwards in a few years (especially if Wheels is let go when his contract comes up -- which I see as a must) so thats where he fits in really well.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

He's obviously a very polarizing and interesting prospect, since he's talked about so much. I'm excited to see what his future holds.