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

[Atoyot]

Laine also started his NHL season splendidly last season and ended it with a whimper. But the end result was great. Didn't seem to bother anyone.

What I'm saying is there's more evidence for the slump being the norm than there is for the hot streak (most likely neither are the norm). And as mentioned his numbers in his "slump" are still great numbers for an 18 year old in the KHL. Again I'm not trying to bring him down and I think he'll be great, but a lot of posters are putting him top-5 in a redraft, saying he'll seamlessly step into a top-6 role in Nashville, expecting Calder for him next season, perennial 40+ goal scorer, just seems a little premature and I think some people are setting themselves up to be disappointed.

 

[Aavco Cup]

What I'm saying is there's more evidence for the slump being the norm than there is for the hot streak (most likely neither are the norm). And as mentioned his numbers in his "slump" are still great numbers for an 18 year old in the KHL. Again I'm not trying to bring him down and I think he'll be great, but a lot of posters are putting him top-5 in a redraft, saying he'll seamlessly step into a top-6 role in Nashville, expecting Calder for him next season, perennial 40+ goal scorer, just seems a little premature and I think some people are setting themselves up to be disappointed.

Really? I don't think he'd be top 5 and I hope Nashville does put him in the lineup for the playoffs. They probably weaken themselves by doing it.

 

[Atoyot]

Really? I don't think he'd be top 5 and I hope Nashville does put him in the lineup for the playoffs. They probably weaken themselves by doing it.

Yeah it's not a universal opinion, I'm mostly just talking about a few fans on the main boards I suppose. Nashville fans have every right to be excited about this kid, but there are definitely a few expecting too much too soon. Or I'm underestimating him, I've been wrong before

 

[ps241]

Personally I have no ax to grind with Tolvanen? I really wish the Preds wouldn't have drafted him because he looks very good but I am more than fine with K-Ves and wouldn't change anything.

The Preds are a smart organization and I really don't recall them rushing anyone? I assume the play here is they bring him in and see how it goes because they want to cover their bases? Nashville is great but after Arvidsson's 28 goals they drop down to a few guys in the low 20's so they are not overflowing with snipers. Why not bring the kid in and see if you capture lighting in a bottle this spring and worst case scenario is he sits and watches and you have 1 more option in case of injuries. He might fill a role on the team at some point this spring or maybe not but either way I don't see a downside.

 

[Romang67]

This is HFJets. It is perfectly fine if posters on this subforum don't like an opposing team's prospect.

 

[Board Bard]

I thought he was good at the Olympics but I don't think he was being asked to carry the entire load there either. I think at the World Juniors both he and Vesa were supposed to be the guys on that team. They were good but they weren't as good as say Laine/Puljarvi when they were there.

I always put a lot of stock into players and the situations that are expected out of them. In the case of the Olympics he was great but I don't think they were expecting him to lead that team either

The Preds won't be expecting him to lead or carry the load either. They'd probably be thrilled if he got a goal every three games, provided he wasn't a tire fire defensively (assuming he even plays every game).

 

[Whileee]

Vesalainen got better and more productive as the season progressed. Tolvanen didn't. I think they are very close in terms of potential but the Jets have more depth at forward so Vesalainen will reach the NHL later.

 

[thistleswamp]

It'd be swell if you Finnish scouts would stop gushing over another team's prospect for the bulk of our own prospect's thread, and maybe give some information about how our own guy is doing in the playoffs.

How is he playing? What are his numbers like? Is he getting much ice-time?

The fact that Tolvanen - an undeniably fantastic prospect - will likely play for arguably our number one rival, has to be the most irritating part of Vesalainen's thread being hijacked.

 

[FlappyGiraffe]

Here

 

[Kaako Kappo]

It'd be swell if you Finnish scouts would stop gushing over another team's prospect for the bulk of our own prospect's thread, and maybe give some information about how our own guy is doing in the playoffs.

How is he playing? What are his numbers like? Is he getting much ice-time?

The fact that Tolvanen - an undeniably fantastic prospect - will likely play for arguably our number one rival, has to be the most irritating part of Vesalainen's thread being hijacked.

Yes, because it was definately the Finns who brought up Tolvanen.

Vesalainen is playing like he's been playing most of the season. Physical, strong on the puck, mature. He just made a nice play to put the puck at the net which resulted into a goal. So he's 0+1 so far tonight. He doesn't play with Kupari anymore because someone was injured. I think he's on the second or first line now. Plays around 15 mins avg.

 

[Hammer Slammer]

Tried the same move that got him his last goal, and this time gets him an assist.

Anttila banged in the rebound

 

[thistleswamp]

"Finnish Scouts" perhaps should have been in quotes or italics, as my tongue was firmly in cheek...

 

[Hammer Slammer]

Karpat up 5-0 in the 2nd period in an elimination game. I think it's safe to say they're off to the next round.

 

[MMANumminen]

Yes Kärpät beat Ässät (pronouced ass-hats) 4-1 in games so Vesa Laine will reach the next round of playoffs

 

[nobody important]

This is HFJets. It is perfectly fine if posters on this subforum don't like an opposing team's prospect.

Or even our own prospects, in some instances.

 

[truck]

Here's the apple BTW

Looks like an instant replay of the previous goal.

 

[LAINEC]

Yay this is my first post here. Do you think that VesaLainen get chance to try to play maybe couple games next year with top line like Connor and Laine did? I think Connor fits very good with Sheiffele and Wheeler and Laine and Ehlers just need center like Stastny not Little even Copp fits better with them. Sorry im not very good writing english but maybe i learn.

 

[KingBogo]

Yay this is my first post here. Do you think that VesaLainen get chance to try to play maybe couple games next year with top line like Connor and Laine did? I think Connor fits very good with Sheiffele and Wheeler and Laine and Ehlers just need center like Stastny not Little even Copp fits better with them. Sorry im not very good writing english but maybe i learn.

Welcome aboard and your English seems pretty good to me. It does seem likely that Vaselainen signs and comes to NA next season. The likely plan would be to start with the Moose, but there are always opportunities for those players proving themselves in the AHL. What you do with your opportunities will then dictate where you play.

 

[Evil Little]

Yay this is my first post here. Do you think that VesaLainen get chance to try to play maybe couple games next year with top line like Connor and Laine did? I think Connor fits very good with Sheiffele and Wheeler and Laine and Ehlers just need center like Stastny not Little even Copp fits better with them. Sorry im not very good writing english but maybe i learn.

Yeah, I think Maurice likes to go from farmleague to high life (read: play young players with the top line). I have every expectation that Vesalainen will get at least a little bit of that.

 

[Packofwolves]

Yay this is my first post here. Do you think that VesaLainen get chance to try to play maybe couple games next year with top line like Connor and Laine did? I think Connor fits very good with Sheiffele and Wheeler and Laine and Ehlers just need center like Stastny not Little even Copp fits better with them. Sorry im not very good writing english but maybe i learn.

Welcome aboard. Keep on producing players for our Jets.
we Love our Finns.

 

[DudeWhereIsMakar]

Thinking he spends another year in Finland, don't see where he fits next season.

 

[kelsier]

Vesalainen has been playing steady in the playoffs. Looks like another goal scorer to me which is a bit surprising considering his past seasons, but that shot has seriously been getting better and better (not to mention the complete game). Should the Jets use him on the first powerplay in the future, that would be a nightmare to defend against. Laine on the left and Vesalainen on the right, added with an elite QB defender and boooom! I had a feeling he could turn into something pretty good, but even I'm a little bit surprised how much he has elevated his game from last year. The best two wingers of the draft falling into the bottom of first round, incredible.

 

[lanky]

If the Seattle expansion draft happens on the expected time line, would next season impact Vesalainen's protected status?

 

[BB88]

If the Seattle expansion draft happens on the expected time line, would next season impact Vesalainen's protected status?

If Vesalainen starts playing next year(NHL) he should be safe and wouldn't need to be protected.

 

[Channelcat]

If the Seattle expansion draft happens on the expected time line, would next season impact Vesalainen's protected status?

Ugh......downer.