No to Risto.
Did MP, Myers, Stafford or Eakin have connections?
If we're going back to MP, well you can go back to Ponikarovsky to play with Antropov, or reuniting childhood friends Tlusty, Frolik, Pavelec. Or Stastny, who knew Wheeler from team USA. Scheif/Beaulieu, Beaulieu/De Melo. Forbort/Toninato with Pionk. Vets signed this year knew Dave Lowry, and needed jobs. But there's usually in, more than the exceptions, like Morrow, or Kulikov, or the Eakin or Kiselevich rentals. Especially since the team has established a core, since the Wheeler captaincy era. That's been part of the whole family idea...Kane and Bogo trade was a leadership change, on a team that lacked leadership.
I think the Jets still need a top 3 d-man, I'd say Risto fits that bill. Might be a good defenseman to pair up with Heinola down the road.
I think an impending UFA like Savard or Montour may pose less logistical problems come the expansion draft, which is a management factor. But those aren't top 3 d-men, and I still have a hard time saying De Melo is a #3, in spite of his good play.
