Player Discussion: Kristian Vesalainen [Update: Signed ELC]

[Mortimer Snerd]

"I don't like to look at the things that I'm not good at" Uff, the guy does come off a bit overconfident, which i already kinda knew.

I liked the interview. He's confident. He knows he has weaknesses to work on, so not cocky. He isn't thinking too far ahead. Go into TC and see what happens.

 

[LowLefty]

I hope he sticks around and doesn't rely too much on his "options".
I really like his game and his potential - hope he starts working the NA game / rink at the earliest.

 

[Luc Labelle]

I liked his performance in the game yesterday. Showed good puck handling skills holding the puck through traffic coming out from the corners and moving into the high scoring areas. Looks to be capable of winning board battles on a consistent basis.

I especially like how he likes to drive the net no matter where he gains possession in the offensive zone. Seems pretty smart at making quick give and go plays and slides into high scoring areas.

For those who like to state too much weight is put into a meaningless tournament against subpar opponents, I am not putting much weight to this tournament. It is just an opportunity to observe one of our best prospects in a Jets setting. I love watching development camp, young star tournaments and yes, even pre-season games for the sole purpose of focusing strongly on specific prospects without worrying about the final results.

I spend a lot more time watching my favourite prospects away from the puck. Focusing fully on individual players for their full shifts can be very revealing.

He finished with 2 assists (though in the broadcast they announced his second assist as going to Logan Stanley on the 4 on 3 powerplay)

 

[Whileee]

I liked his performance in the game yesterday. Showed good puck handling skills holding the puck through traffic coming out from the corners and moving into the high scoring areas. Looks to be capable of winning board battles on a consistent basis.

I especially like how he likes to drive the net no matter where he gains possession in the offensive zone. Seems pretty smart at making quick give and go plays and slides into high scoring areas.

For those who like to state too much weight is put into a meaningless tournament against subpar opponents, I am not putting much weight to this tournament. It is just an opportunity to observe one of our best prospects in a Jets setting. I love watching development camp, young star tournaments and yes, even pre-season games for the sole purpose of focusing strongly on specific prospects without worrying about the final results.

I spend a lot more time watching my favourite prospects away from the puck. Focusing fully on individual players for their full shifts can be very revealing.

He finished with 2 assists (though in the broadcast they announced his second assist as going to Logan Stanley on the 4 on 3 powerplay)

Good assessment. What I liked was how effective he was along the boards, and how he processed the game at a high pace. He reads and reacts well. You could also see his very good physical tools. He's big, strong and fast and has good puck protection. In the offensive end he looks like he could be Armia with a great shot and better vision.

 

[Peggy]

The biggest roadblock is our freaking abundance of talent on the wings! If Roslovic can be successful at C, that makes some room and also solves some other problems. Here's hoping!

Biggest road block might be salary cap

Might want bus elc to kick in next season instead of this season

 

[Halberdier]

Vesalainen was top end at the u-18, and in some ways better than Tolvanen at the u-20, in my eyes. He played more of a pro style game in the u-20.

We definitely mean other tournaments as on those three pre-draft U-18, U-20 and U-17 tournaments where both Vesalainen and Tolvanen played, I don't think anybody would have chosen Vesalainen instead of Tolvanen.

Just for fun, combined stats for those:

18. 18+7=25, +5
vs.
18. 7+9=16, -3

There was also an additional pre-draft U18 tournament, but as Tolvanen was already a star at that level, he didn't attend that, but Vesalainen did. I guess you mean that by him being top end at the u-18?

On those pre-draft U18 & U20 they both attended, it was really night and day for the smaller guy.

 

[10Ducky10]

How much would he make if he decided not to play for the Moose and played in Europe?

 

[Ippenator]

How much would he make if he decided not to play for the Moose and played in Europe?

Probably something like 350 000-500 000 euro’s for the season.

 

[DaJackal]

Probably something like 350 000-500 000 euro’s for the season.

That'd make him the best paid player in FEL and I don't believe that. Finnish teams don't have that much money, and Swiss teams rather pay for proven NHL players (even at their decline).

Maybe in KHL that would be possible, but I don't know if he has any motivation to go there. SKA has his rights. Jokerit was rumoured to be interested in him, but I don't think even they would pay him that much - especially since they would have to acquire his rights first.

My guess would be 150-200k in some FEL team.

 

[Ippenator]

That'd make him the best paid player in FEL and I don't believe that. Finnish teams don't have that much money, and Swiss teams rather pay for proven NHL players (even at their decline).

Maybe in KHL that would be possible, but I don't know if he has any motivation to go there. SKA has his rights. Jokerit was rumoured to be interested in him, but I don't think even they would pay him that much - especially since they would have to acquire his rights first.

My guess would be 150-200k in some FEL team.

I was talking about KHL all the way. I doubt he will go to play in Liiga. Practically Jokerit or AHL are the realistic options. I dont see any others really.

 

[Whileee]

That'd make him the best paid player in FEL and I don't believe that. Finnish teams don't have that much money, and Swiss teams rather pay for proven NHL players (even at their decline).

Maybe in KHL that would be possible, but I don't know if he has any motivation to go there. SKA has his rights. Jokerit was rumoured to be interested in him, but I don't think even they would pay him that much - especially since they would have to acquire his rights first.

My guess would be 150-200k in some FEL team.

Play him 9 games in the NHL and the rest with the Moose and he'll earn around 150k in Winnipeg.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

They should inform him that Perreault is 110% likely to get injured, and he'll get to see some NHL action.

 

[Howard Chuck]

So looks like Maurice is switching him to left wing?

 

[kittiecarlyle]

So looks like Maurice is switching him to left wing?

That is his preferred and natural position. Jets want him in the best spot to show what he can do, playing him at LW allows that.

 

[pucka lucka]

Paul Maurice believes it impossible to play your off wing.

 

[Bob E]

So looks like Maurice is switching him to left wing?

Isn’t he a LW’er? And always has been?

 

[Howard Chuck]

Isn’t he a LW’er? And always has been?

Lol could be. I really thought he was a RW. Probably my mistake.

 

[kittiecarlyle]

Paul Maurice believes it impossible to play your off wing.

As show by one on that same line.

 

[Halberdier]

Isn’t he a LW’er? And always has been?

He has been playing both wings. Not sure which wing he finds natural for him.

 

[kittiecarlyle]

He has been playing both wings. Not sure which wing he finds natural for him.

He says he feels his best is LW.

 

[Whileee]

Paul Maurice believes it impossible to play your off wing.

Perreault is playing his off wing. So is Tanev.

 

[Adam da bomb]

If I had to decide after this game I'd be sending him back to Europe.

 

[heretik27]

Is Beyak butchering his name, or is it really pronounced Va-se-Lain-en? Sounds like Vaseline and Laine.

 

[puck stoppa]

If I had to decide after this game I'd be sending him back to Europe.

Why? He will be with Moose.

 

[Adam da bomb]

Why? He will be with Moose.

If he's cool with the Moose okay.