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

[Flair Hay]

A more Euro Evander is the vibe I get and that's alright. Some guys project as better third liners than undersized scorers do and he seems to fit this mold.

 

[ps241]

Yea some of these comps around Wheeler and Jessie PJ seem to make sense. He loves the puck on his stick and Uses his speed and reach to dominate possession. One other element he flashed in the U18's was quickness in puck pursuit pressure almost similar to Perreault. I am guessing that was less common during the regular season but it was giving the Canadians problems.

 

[Ippenator]

It's going to be an exciting Liiga season, I'm getting that 6month Ruutu+ deal once the season starts.

Exactly. I also have everything set through my Elisa Viihde package that includes most of the interesting sports channels. I think the teams that I will be following closely this season are definitely Ilves, HPK (because of Vesalainen, Luukkonen and many other interesting prospects), HIFK (because of Heiskanen), Ässät (if Kotkaniemi gets to play), Jukurit (if Kokkonen will get to play), SaiPa (because of Vaakanainen) and maybe even KalPa (to see Luostarinen develop and maybe even Leevi Aaltonen make his debut?)

Anyway, so many interesting Finnish prospects projected to play in FEL the up coming season, that I am seriously as excited as I was the season when Aho, Laine and Pulju were tearing FEL in the 2015-2016 season.

 

[buggs]

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

Not directed at you garret9, just a jumping off point...

After a few days of reflection this comment sort of jumped out at me. There's no complaint in this comment, simply observation + clarification. FWIW I was pretty happy with this pick (Vesalainen). Didn't love it but given where we picked I was quite pleased. That said there has been the usual amount of angst, which is normal and fine. But one of the most consistent comments is that we picked a "least tradeable" asset in the form of a winger and that's been disappointing. That too is a reasonable statement for what it's worth.

I remember back to the draft where we got Connor. We were all pretty much over the moon ( a few dissenters wanted another highly touted pick) and had a good chuckle at the Bruins for their three in a row. We've been, to varying degrees, pretty high on Connor and I would think most expect him to be with the big club this year. That brings me back to Garret's comment about Connor being a winger. We didn't have those comments about him at that time, did we? I don't recall a lot of people saying "oh no, a winger, really?" or anything along the line of what we've seen to a degree with Vesalainen.

So why are so many annoyed/aggravated/irritated/whathaveyou about Vesalainen being a winger? Sure, we don't have a burning need in the short term but even if he follows Connor's relatively speedy path he's three years out from cracking the NHL as a regular. At that point Perreault has one year left on his deal and is 30+. Wheeler is 3 years older and perhaps not a first line winger any longer (which I admit Vesalainen may never achieve). If he was BPA on the Jets list he'll still fill a need down the road and not in a particularly unsuitable timeline for our team.

 

[DashingDane]

Not directed at you garret9, just a jumping off point...

After a few days of reflection this comment sort of jumped out at me. There's no complaint in this comment, simply observation + clarification. FWIW I was pretty happy with this pick (Vesalainen). Didn't love it but given where we picked I was quite pleased. That said there has been the usual amount of angst, which is normal and fine. But one of the most consistent comments is that we picked a "least tradeable" asset in the form of a winger and that's been disappointing. That too is a reasonable statement for what it's worth.

I remember back to the draft where we got Connor. We were all pretty much over the moon ( a few dissenters wanted another highly touted pick) and had a good chuckle at the Bruins for their three in a row. We've been, to varying degrees, pretty high on Connor and I would think most expect him to be with the big club this year. That brings me back to Garret's comment about Connor being a winger. We didn't have those comments about him at that time, did we? I don't recall a lot of people saying "oh no, a winger, really?" or anything along the line of what we've seen to a degree with Vesalainen.

So why are so many annoyed/aggravated/irritated/whathaveyou about Vesalainen being a winger? Sure, we don't have a burning need in the short term but even if he follows Connor's relatively speedy path he's three years out from cracking the NHL as a regular. At that point Perreault has one year left on his deal and is 30+. Wheeler is 3 years older and perhaps not a first line winger any longer (which I admit Vesalainen may never achieve). If he was BPA on the Jets list he'll still fill a need down the road and not in a particularly unsuitable timeline for our team.

I think it's just a case of everybody setting their noses up for a young defender. After months of basically only focusing on young defenders and a few centers getting a winger feels slightly lackluster. I fully believe it was to correct pick to make and think Vaseline could turn into a great player but that's why I think we aren't all over the moon.

 

[DRW204]

By the time Vesalainen is entering the NHL, Wheeler will likely be in his 33-35 YO season and Perrault will be in 32-33 YO season, possibly starting their declines. Having Vesalainen break in around then wouldn’t be such a bad thing at all

 

[Weezeric]

Not directed at you garret9, just a jumping off point...

After a few days of reflection this comment sort of jumped out at me. There's no complaint in this comment, simply observation + clarification. FWIW I was pretty happy with this pick (Vesalainen). Didn't love it but given where we picked I was quite pleased. That said there has been the usual amount of angst, which is normal and fine. But one of the most consistent comments is that we picked a "least tradeable" asset in the form of a winger and that's been disappointing. That too is a reasonable statement for what it's worth.

I remember back to the draft where we got Connor. We were all pretty much over the moon ( a few dissenters wanted another highly touted pick) and had a good chuckle at the Bruins for their three in a row. We've been, to varying degrees, pretty high on Connor and I would think most expect him to be with the big club this year. That brings me back to Garret's comment about Connor being a winger. We didn't have those comments about him at that time, did we? I don't recall a lot of people saying "oh no, a winger, really?" or anything along the line of what we've seen to a degree with Vesalainen.

So why are so many annoyed/aggravated/irritated/whathaveyou about Vesalainen being a winger? Sure, we don't have a burning need in the short term but even if he follows Connor's relatively speedy path he's three years out from cracking the NHL as a regular. At that point Perreault has one year left on his deal and is 30+. Wheeler is 3 years older and perhaps not a first line winger any longer (which I admit Vesalainen may never achieve). If he was BPA on the Jets list he'll still fill a need down the road and not in a particularly unsuitable timeline for our team.

Totally agree with this. It was 4 years ago some were upset we drafted morrisey because we had too many D hah..

 

[JetsFan815]

I don't see the Kane comparisons at all, atleast from the highlights I saw. He seems to use his linemates much better than Kane and I did not see him throwing big hits like Kane.

 

[mazmin]

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.

Sounds justifiable. I don't see any risk in his personality. I mean, the dude is a teenager so what do we expect from him?

The big risk seems to be his poor play for the most part of the season, while his WJC-18 performance was similar to what one would expect from a lottery pick.

Very interesting pick and I'm eager to see what he can do back in his native Finland next year. He should also be the leader on a WJC-20 team with what looks like a solid cast of players: Juolevi, Heiskanen, Valimaki, Virtanen, Vaakanainen, Heponiemi, Tolvanen, etc.

 

[mazmin]

By the time Vesalainen is entering the NHL, Wheeler will likely be in his 33-35 YO season and Perrault will be in 32-33 YO season, possibly starting their declines. Having Vesalainen break in around then wouldn’t be such a bad thing at all

This. Wheeler should be traded for value before his contract is up if the Jets aren't looking like serious contenders. Having KV, Roslovic, Armia and Dano as younger RW options at that point is a lot better than just the latter 3.

I like this pick more and more each day.

 

[Trilliann]

Vesalainen chats about the on-ice testing today.

 

[Hammer Slammer]

 

[DeepFrickinValue]

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2358781

review of finish prospects prior to draft. many had vaseline as number 3 or 4 finnish prospect.

 

[KingBogo]

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=2358781

review of finish prospects prior to draft. many had vaseline as number 3 or 4 finnish prospect.

Interesting more seemed to have him ahead of Valimaki. Only constant is Heiskanen at the top and then the rest of the other top prospects interchanged based on personnel preference.

 

[DeepFrickinValue]

Interesting more seemed to have him ahead of Valimaki. Only constant is Heiskanen at the top and then the rest of the other top prospects interchanged based on personnel preference.

somewhat unbiased as prior to draft. most had above valimaki.

perhaps we referred valimaki based on defensive need.

 

[BB88]

Thank you, damm his skating looks good. Lots of potential there.
Quickness/sharpness are better than with Laine, better hands than Pulju(atleast on mens level).

 

[Daximus]

somewhat unbiased as prior to draft. most had above valimaki.

perhaps we referred valimaki based on defensive need.

I didn't but I'm in the minority there. I've become a bit of a broken record on how good I think Valimaki is so I'll refrain from going any further.

 

[JetsFan815]

Thanks for this package, again I see nothing of Evander in his game. Just one game but was definitely better than I expected, could have had a couple of points in addition to the goal. Like how he uses his body to protect the puck, some really nice moves where he lost the puck at the last second.

 

[kelsier]

Have to say that even though I voted only that "I like the pick", I'm absolutely delighted about it. Just to have one more Finn in the team is such luxury for someone like me who actually watches every single Jets game (no matter the timezone).

Of course the position is the only actual negative aspect you can think of from Jets' point of view of why Vesalainen wouldn't be a great pickup. That said, and as someone already mentioned, to land the scoring leader of u18 wjhc with #24 is quite something. Especially considering that someone has incredible physical attributes and a lot of skill. Vesalainen's last season was kind of a pan cake apart from the obvious U18 Champs and naturally that brings up some question marks. We have to remember that he spent most of his time on foreign soil. No one can really know about the commitment Frölunda had on this kid. He wasn't Swedish and while knowing he was going to be one of the top prospects at his age group, the team didn't have to worry about hurting the future of the Swedish hockey. Based on what he said it could very well be true that they simply really didn't care.

So if Vesalainen more or less lost a season and a high draft status due to being at the wrong place at the wrong time, the Jets may have hit another jackpot. He was so much better than most in the u18s that you cannot help but to wonder what if he had stayed in Finland. It's going to be interesting to follow up on his development especially next season (we'll be a lot wiser afterwards). The kid could very well become a future line mate to Laine and if that happens, imagine two HUGE skilled power forwards demolishing the ice for the next two decades or so. That said, he might never reach that level but you can never tell. The possibility is there regardless and with the cost of low first round pick - a deal you can take without much consideration.

Just happy that the franchise has yet another Finn and even more to look forward to.

 

[StatisticsAddict99]

This guy seems like a stud, he could easily end up the best Winger of the class, not that it's to strong anyways... if he paired with Laine that would be poisonous to stop(A strong puck carrier who creates so many chance but never had the linemates that could "Finish" pairs with one of the best Finishers in the league ). Then think about Ehlers and Connor on the same line possible with Roslovic(I gaurantee there would be no line faster than it) and then let the Sharp Vets dominate... If we developed before Wheeler and Perrault hit they're major decline we might have the best team in the league(without even mentioning how good are defence looks on paper, ofcoarse Enstrom would have to break his slump), how ever that is very optimistically thinking...


Perrault Little Wheeler
Laine Scheifele Vesalainen
Connor Roslovic Ehlers

 

[Boxertim]

Seemed like a good interview. He seems like he speaks English better than he understands it...so sometimes he comes across as arrogant.

He doesn't seem to like to be asked about Liane though...imagine going out on a date and all your date does is ask about your hotter friend.

 

[GJF]

Seemed like a good interview. He seems like he speaks English better than he understands it...so sometimes he comes across as arrogant.

He doesn't seem to like to be asked about Liane though...imagine going out on a date and all your date does is ask about your hotter friend.

Yeah I hope the media doesn't go completely crazy with the Laine talk.

"Is he your role model?"
"How awesome is it going to be to play with the greatest finnish prospect since Selanne?"
"Do you like his smell?"
"Have you guys already swapped your underwear? Just because it's funny?"

 

[JayJay]

Yeah I hope the media doesn't go completely crazy with the Laine talk.

"Is he your role model?"
"How awesome is it going to be to play with the greatest finnish prospect since Selanne?"
"Do you like his smell?"
"Have you guys already swapped your underwear? Just because it's funny?"

The same way Laine was bombarded with Selanne questions last year, it will be hard for Vesalainen to avoid the laine related questions and comparisons.

 

[Trilliann]

Yeah I hope the media doesn't go completely crazy with the Laine talk.

"Is he your role model?"
"How awesome is it going to be to play with the greatest finnish prospect since Selanne?"
"Do you like his smell?"
"Have you guys already swapped your underwear? Just because it's funny?"

..just wait until the Finnish media get their hands on him

 

[JayJay]

..just wait until the Finnish media get their hands on him