Player Discussion: Vesalainen Thread

[TS Quint]

Falling prospects, hey look who made the list:


6. KRISTIAN VESALAINEN, LW, WINNIPEG JETS (-43)
Last year: 58th
This year: not ranked in top 100
The Jets are trying to reshape Vesalainen’s game. There’s no doubting his natural tools as a goal-scorer but, because Winnipeg’s forward group is perpetually loaded in the top six, any forward who wants to crack the NHL lineup needs to develop “bottom-six” abilities as well. The Jets are thus working on developing Vesalainen’s defensive skills more and even having him kill penalties in the AHL. He’s one of many prospects suffering from the taxi-squad problem right now, though, as it’s keeping him from getting into many games. He’s played just 16 between the Manitoba Moose and the Jets. Most recently, he's seen NHL action this week on Winnipeg's third line.

So, we are hoping for Armia Jr?

 

[Whileee]

I think people have been forgetting that Vesalainen is still young, and he really needed to figure out how to be effective with the faster pace and smaller spaces in NHL hockey. He looks like he's figuring out how to be effective, and with his offensive skills and great shot, he could be a very useful winger for the Jets going forward. Really surprised that Maurice tapped Vesalainen (and Stanley) for the first playoff game. It's another signal to me that the Jets would be happy to have a playoff run, but they aren't "all in" this season. Or maybe some of these players have just been really impressive in practices and have forced their way into the line-up, as Toninato has done. Fans and pundits usually base all of our perspectives on the relatively small sample of actual game action, whereas coaches watch these players for hours and hours in practices, too.

 

[RustyCat]

I think people have been forgetting that Vesalainen is still young, and he really needed to figure out how to be effective with the faster pace and smaller spaces in NHL hockey. He looks like he's figuring out how to be effective, and with his offensive skills and great shot, he could be a very useful winger for the Jets going forward. Really surprised that Maurice tapped Vesalainen (and Stanley) for the first playoff game. It's another signal to me that the Jets would be happy to have a playoff run, but they aren't "all in" this season. Or maybe some of these players have just been really impressive in practices and have forced their way into the line-up, as Toninato has done. Fans and pundits usually base all of our perspectives on the relatively small sample of actual game action, whereas coaches watch these players for hours and hours in practices, too.

For sure. And fans need to understand that on one hand there are complaints about not playing rookies or giving them a shot, and on the other hand here is the coaches putting him in during the playoffs. If for sure could be argued that he is there as the other options are marginal or fringe, but Ves was put on a line not considered the 4th line. So it speaks to your point.

Also, agree about Toninato. He has been very effective.

 

[surixon]

I think people have been forgetting that Vesalainen is still young, and he really needed to figure out how to be effective with the faster pace and smaller spaces in NHL hockey. He looks like he's figuring out how to be effective, and with his offensive skills and great shot, he could be a very useful winger for the Jets going forward. Really surprised that Maurice tapped Vesalainen (and Stanley) for the first playoff game. It's another signal to me that the Jets would be happy to have a playoff run, but they aren't "all in" this season. Or maybe some of these players have just been really impressive in practices and have forced their way into the line-up, as Toninato has done. Fans and pundits usually base all of our perspectives on the relatively small sample of actual game action, whereas coaches watch these players for hours and hours in practices, too.

I've always said that there is a player in there, he just needs to adapt to playing a NA game which it looks like he now has. He has the solid two/way base to his game now and he can add his offense on top of it as he gets more comfortable. I can see him becoming a good all around 20-25 goal middle 6 winger.

 

[Esko6]

How much tighter can the game get? It was either tied or a 1 goal game for either team until the Jets got 2 empty betters in the final 2 minutes.

Not sure what game you were watching but this was as close as it gets without OT.

Like I said, I noticed his ice time. I did not watch.

 

[BoneDocUK]

NSH is developing Tolvanen pretty much as a pure sniper. Maurice is developing Ves in his usual way, so he’s working hard on the 3rd and trying not to screw up. I expect they’re liking what they see, and looking now for more of what he does best as a shooter, curling off the half walls and blowing into the slot — and he has a very quick, very heavy release. I think he is gaining confidence and “trust” and I still expect him to round into an impactful player for the Jets.

Said this in early May but have written versions of the above since we drafted Ves. He's young, he's a Finn (quite a few folks have noticed that Finnish players can take some extra time to develop in NA), he has a terrific set of tools, and like Armia and others before him he has worked hard to reshape his game over the past two seasons and we are seeing the results of those efforts, just as Pascal Vincent suggested we would last year. Still needs to develop some confidence to make plays and shoot, and hopefully will be worked into the PP at some point where his release and speed will start to show up on the socreboard, but there's a lot to like already and he's still on track to become an impact player for the Jets, IMO, just as Apples has (and Gus and others will).

 

[Jet]

Every once in a while he does something that makes me salivate, whether it be a crafty move or hit - he needs to figure out how to do that more consistently. He could be a nice 3rd liner who grinds it out, chips in offensively, and can play up in the lineup and on the PP/PK.

 

[Huffer]

I could be wrong, but he seemed to play with a little more pace last night than I'm used to.

 

[Whileee]

Vesalainen has always excelled against players of his own age group (who are usually not as big or skilled), but has taken a bit more time to become effective against older / bigger / more experienced players. Now, he is starting to look like he's been figuring out how to adjust and improve his game to compete against the very best.

Watching how several of the Jets prospects have developed in the AHL indicates to me that they know what they are doing in terms of player development and timing for transition.

 

[Al Camino]

So, we are hoping for Armia Jr?

I'd take that. That trade might the worst one Chevy made.

 

[Al Camino]

I have a little bit of hope Vesalainen can develop into a 40-50 point physical,2-way, 2nd line winger for the Jets. This is something the team can certainly use at this point. Right now, the likelihood is that Vesa will be a 3rd liner who can play a good 2-way game and average 20-30 points per season.

His fellow Finn, Tolvanen, has certainly surpassed him at this point.

If they ever decided to adopt more of a top 9 type philosephy he could be a guy that gets closer to that 40 point mark. If they decide to have Prerfetti down the middle they might be able to pull it off.

 

[Whileee]

If they ever decided to adopt more of a top 9 type philosephy he could be a guy that gets closer to that 40 point mark. If they decide to have Prerfetti down the middle they might be able to pull it off.

They essentially have a top 9 now.

 

[jetsforever]

He played well last night, glad we haven't forgotten about him

 

[Upperdeckjet]

He's a big boy. I would like to see him use his body a little more.

 

[John Agar]

So, we are hoping for Armia Jr?

No... Armia plus...

Armia's foot speed was average...

Ves' has upside on him here... as Ves' is a stronger/more agile skater...

I think Ves's wrister is much better than Armia's as well...

Fair comparison otherwise....

 

[FonRiesen]

No... Armia plus...

Armia's foot speed was average...

Ves' has upside on him here... as Ves' is a stronger/more agile skater...

I think Ves's wrister is much better than Armia's as well...

Fair comparison otherwise....

Armia could strip the puck better than anyone else on the team back then. If Vesa can match him defensively it would be a huge asset.

 

[GumbyCan2]

A

Said this in early May but have written versions of the above since we drafted Ves. He's young, he's a Finn (quite a few folks have noticed that Finnish players can take some extra time to develop in NA), he has a terrific set of tools, and like Armia and others before him he has worked hard to reshape his game over the past two seasons and we are seeing the results of those efforts, just as Pascal Vincent suggested we would last year. Still needs to develop some confidence to make plays and shoot, and hopefully will be worked into the PP at some point where his release and speed will start to show up on the socreboard, but there's a lot to like already and he's still on track to become an impact player for the Jets, IMO, just as Apples has (and Gus and others will).

And...once again...one-n-yer-done kid! Maybe next year?
Jets perpetual motto under Mor-rice please.

 

[ps241]

Interesting prospect I don’t have a feel for one way or the other yet. I have missed almost all his play this season. Liked how positive he was about the direction and coaching he got from Vincent last year. I thought that was a really good sign.

 

[LowLefty]

Players like this are in no mans land - he has the tools (big player who can skate and shoot) but he's on a lease as far as the game he is expected to play. He knows that he has to do it the hard way - develop a good D base and then progress offensively against NHL talent.

This is just another way of saying what has already been said in this thread - he needs to continue to get better and play a low risk game if he wants to get his shots with the big club. I think it takes the guys with the tools a little longer to figure this out.

 

[Whileee]

For Vesalainen, at this point I think it's all about opportunity. When the Jets lose a couple of forwards to free agency and the expansion draft, he'll get his chance. He just needs to be ready.

 

[surixon]

For Vesalainen, at this point I think it's all about opportunity. When the Jets lose a couple of forwards to free agency and the expansion draft, he'll get his chance. He just needs to be ready.

Agreed, I expect him to be an everyday player next year. Putting him making it full time on a similar timeline as Stanley.

I expect that there will be three open forward spots next year.

 

[ecolad]

For Vesalainen, at this point I think it's all about opportunity. When the Jets lose a couple of forwards to free agency and the expansion draft, he'll get his chance. He just needs to be ready.

Agreed, but I am cautiously optimistic that Ves will develop into more than a mid line winger. The kid showed a really strong ability to one-time pucks and I`d hope he gets opportunity on the PP2 at least (thw way they are set up currently).

 

[Huffer]

For Vesalainen, at this point I think it's all about opportunity. When the Jets lose a couple of forwards to free agency and the expansion draft, he'll get his chance. He just needs to be ready.

Agreed, I expect him to be an everyday player next year. Putting him making it full time on a similar timeline as Stanley.

I expect that there will be three open forward spots next year.

Agreed, but I am cautiously optimistic that Ves will develop into more than a mid line winger. The kid showed a really strong ability to one-time pucks and I`d hope he gets opportunity on the PP2 at least (thw way they are set up currently).

Agree, and who knows, maybe the Jets will need him again in this playoffs.

 

[GumbyCan2]

He played well last night, glad we haven't forgotten about him

Too bad Chevy & the Coach have

 

[voyageur]

Too bad Chevy & the Coach have

I doubt they have. Would have been hard to scratch the guy who got you the GWG for game 2. For Vesalainen, he's part of the experience this year. Remember he was left off the taxi squad last year for the playoffs in favour of Gustafsson, Letestu, and Logan Shaw.

Next year I would expect him and Gustafsson to be regulars. Including in the playoffs.

Progression takes time, and he is going in the right direction.