Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/nhl/jets-first-round-pick-lighting-it-up-in-top- finnish-mens-league-473852293.html

Jets first-round pick lighting it up in top Finnish men's league

By: Mike McIntyre

Attention, Jets fans. We interrupt what has been a pretty special so far to bring you some news that should have you positively giddy.

The team looks to have another good one on the way. Like, potentially really good.

Kristian Vesalainen, selected 24th overall in the first round of last summer's NHL draft, is having a magical season as he plays in the top men's league in . The 18-year-old power forward is putting up the kind of numbers rarely seen by a player his age.

Vesalainen has 19 goals and 19 assists in 41 games with HPK Hameenlinna of the Finnish Elite League, otherwise know as . To put that in perspective, only five Finnish players have posted more points in a single season in that league prior to hitting their 19th birthday. And Vesalainen has played fewer games than all of them, meaning he could further climb the charts before his year is done.

The Free Press spoke with Vesalainen and his coach, Antti Pennanen, in telephone interviews Monday from Finland.

"It's not usual. He's a special kid, I think," said Pennanen. "This is something that doesn't happen."

Vesalainen — who at 6-3 and 207 pounds has previously said he models his game after star — admits there was some adjustment to being in a league where the majority of players are men, in some cases more than a decade older than him with a wealth of pro experience.

"In the beginning it was tough, but I think now it's very good for me," Vesalainen said. "I don't know if my own game has improved so much, but I think our team is playing a lot better, so it's easy to play better. It's been great for me."

Vesalainen spent the past two seasons in the , with just one and five assists in 26 games last season. He also joined HPK for nine games near the end of the season, registering just one goal and no assists.

He first turned heads on an international stage last spring when he was named MVP of the IIHF Under-18 World Championship. He had six goals and seven assists in seven games for Finland, which captured silver.

Winnipeg had the 13th pick last year, but traded it to Vegas so they would select Chris Thorburn in the expansion draft and stay away from other exposed players, including Toby Enstrom. The Golden Knights selected Hockey League forward Nick Suzuki with the pick.

Vesalainen didn't attend training camp with the Jets, signing a one-year deal to play a full season with HPK. It's a move that appears to have paid off.

"He was having difficulties at the beginning of the season. But after that he's been really good, really good. After world juniors he's been even better than before that. Of course, I think he got some self-confidence after world juniors," said Pennanen. "He's a good kid, cheerful and open- minded and coachable. I think this is one of his strengths, he wants to learn every day new skills and things. So he's coachable. He has great confidence, but he's not arrogant."

Finland went 2-2-0 in round-robin play at the world junior championship, but was eliminated in the quarter-finals with a shootout loss to the . Vesalainen led the team in scoring with two goals and four assists in five games.

"I think we had a great team and I thought we would go much more longer. I thought we could get a medal from there. I was a little bit disappointed, but I think I played pretty well," he said.

Vesalainen has scored 11 goals and added eight assists in 15 games since returning last month from the world juniors in Buffalo. Many have been of the highlight-reel variety and made their rounds on social media, with Jets fans gleefully sharing them with followers.

"I don't have Twitter so I don't see that," Vesalainen said Monday with a laugh. "Absolutely that's great that they are watching my games and highlights. It's nice."

The Jets have been keeping a close eye on Vesalainen; co-ordinator of player development Jimmy Roy spent a week in Finland earlier this season.

Roy said Monday he came away impressed.

"Kristian is great kid and working with some really good coaches. I think they both deserve a lot of credit for how Kristian's game has taken off after a slow start. Kristian has a good understanding of what he needs to do to build his identity as a player and his path to becoming an NHL player," said Roy.

"As like every young player, there’s areas of his game that he needs to work on and become more consistent with, but because he has such a great work ethic and commitment, there’s been some real good progress in his game."

Pennanen said he has no doubt Vesalainen is a future NHLer and could make the jump as early as next season.

"He has improved a lot this season. One-on-one skills, battling skills, he uses his teammates better then when he came here. He's a hard worker, practises a lot every day. I think he can play. We use him in many different situations. He's versatile," said Pennanen. "When he came here, he was like an individual player. Now he understands better how he can use his teammates, but he still he has to improve that if he wants to be an NHL player, because the game is so fast he has to use his teammates, and how to use his strengths in a small area. Because every situation is happening so fast."

Vesalainen made it clear he wants to make the Jets as quickly as possible. With the Jets having a pair of regular-season games against the next fall slated for Helsinki, Vesalainen said he'd love to be in the lineup along with fellow Finns Patrik Laine and .

"I think it's great to have games here. All the Finnish Jets fans and NHL fans can see the games. I think it's going to be pretty great," he said. "It's going to be one of my goals next year to (make the team). But I just am thinking about this season, not thinking so much about next season. Just play this season and see how it goes, then we'll see after that."

Winnipeg Sun http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/how-active-will-jets-be--deadline- fewer-than-two-weeks-away

How active will Jets be?: Trade deadline fewer than two weeks away

By Ken Wiebe

Who will blink first in this high stakes game of chicken?

It’s that time of the year in the NHL, when phone calls and text messages gauging interest pick up in frequency.

With 13 days to go before the arrival of the NHL trade deadline, the long list of buyers are looking to bring in a player or several to bolster the lineup, while the sellers are trying to stockpile for the future and bring in the largest possible return.

This is a time-honoured song and dance, one that is ripe with a potential reward but also has consequences, some of which can be far-reaching.

Just ask the 2006-07 , who finished first in the Southeast Division, only to be swept by the .

But not before Thrashers general manager Don Waddell brought in forward Keith Tkachuk and Alexei Zhitnik in separate deals that cost the organization several high draft picks and defenceman .

The pressure to win was on for Waddell, so he made a couple of aggressive deals that ultimately didn’t work out.

Which brings us to the , who went into Monday’s action with a record of 32-15-9, leaving them in second place in the Central Division standings.

With a winning percentage of .635, the Jets ranked fifth in the NHL, which makes them a legitimate contender for the .

So instead of looking to unload expiring contracts to bring in future assets, the Jets seem to have arrived at that fork in the road where they’re ready to sacrifice draft picks and prospects in order to try and make a deep playoff run.

The Jets interest in a top-six forward has been widely reported and makes sense on a lot of levels.

While the Jets have found better balance this season and became more of a four-line hockey team, a recent rash of injuries has created a bit more urgency to make a deal, even with Mark Scheifele back after missing six weeks with a suspect shoulder issue.

One thing the Jets don’t have an abundance of on their current roster are guys with a lot of post- season experience.

Dustin Byfuglien is the only guy with a Stanley Cup ring, but that came with the back in 2010 and he’s only been to the playoffs once since then – in 2015, when the swept the Jets in the opening round.

Veteran centre Matt Hendricks has 34 playoff games on his resume, Blake Wheeler and have 25, but after that most guys are in single digits.

So it would make a lot of sense for the Jets to add someone who has been involved in the post- season pressure cooker.

The Jets got a first-hand look at a couple of guys who are likely on their radar on Sunday and both and Michael Grabner showed well in the Rangers 3-1 victory.

Zuccarello was a force, scoring the tying goal (snapping a 21-game drought) late in the first period and was buzzing for most of the contest, finishing with five shots on goal and seven attempts, two hits and three blocked shots while earning just under 20 minutes.

Jets head coach Paul Maurice is familiar with Zuccarello after coaching him in the KHL during the last NHL lockout.

Zuccarello, 30, has 60 playoff games on his resume, reaching the Stanley Cup final in 2014 when the Rangers lost to the .

With one more year on his contract at an affordable $4.5 million, Zuccarello is a hot commodity because he can play up and down the lineup and help make the guys around him better – much like Perreault does.

Grabner, 30, scored the insurance marker into the empty net and played just under 16 minutes, including 3:13 on the kill.

The pending unrestricted free agent has blazing speed, is up to 23 goals this season and has none on the power play, so he can produce at even strength.

During his time with the Moose in the , Grabner developed nicely and was at his best during the 2009 playoff run to the final, chipping in 10 goals and 17 points in 20 games.

The Jets could also be in the market for some depth on left defence, especially after seeing Toby Enstrom smashed into the end boards on a late hit by Cody McLeod on Sunday.

Enstrom returned to finish the game, but since the Jets are already without Jacob Trouba for an extended period, why not add a guy like Rangers blue-liner Nick Holden, who was steady in his 20:04 of ice time on Sunday.

And depending on what happens on the health front for and Michael Hutchinson during the coming days, the Jets could also be on the lookout for an experienced goalie to spell Connor Hellebuyck on a few occasions in the coming weeks.

Obviously, there are other names and options to consider but now comes the hard part.

What is Cheveldayoff willing to part with in order to make a deal for a coveted player, most likely with term?

Only he knows that answer, but one would imagine any package would include a 2018 first- rounder, a top prospect not named Connor, Roslovic or Vesalainen and possibly a third piece.

What return might that yield?

It shouldn’t take too long to find out.

Possible trade deadline targets for Winnipeg Jets

RW Mats Zuccarello, New York Rangers Age: 30 2017-18 stats: 55 GP, 9 G, 31 A, 40 P, 28 PIM Contract status: $4.5 million AAV, UFA after 2018-19 season

LW Michael Grabner, New York Rangers Age: 30 2017-18 stats: 55 GP, 23 G, 5 A, 28 P, 12 PIM Contract status: $1.65 million, pending UFA on July 1

C Derick Brassard, Age: 30 2017-18 stats: 52 GP, 14 G, 16 A, 30 P, 30 PIM Contract status: $5 million ($3.5 million salary next season), pending UFA at end of 2018-19 season.

LW Max Domi, Coyotes Age: 22 2017-18 stats: 55 GP, 3 G, 20 A, 26 P, 39 PIM Contract status: $1.363 million AAV, pending RFA

D Nick Holden, New York Rangers Age: 30 2017-18 stats: 51 GP, 3 G, 7 A, 10 P, 12 PIM Contract status: $1.65 million AAV, pending UFA

D Nathan Beaulieu, Age: 25 2017-18 stats: 38 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 P, 22 PIM Contract status: $2.4 million, RFA at end of 2018-19 season

D Jordie Benn, Age: 30 2017-18 stats: 56 GP, 1 G, 14 A, 15 P, 22 PIM Contract status: $1.1 million AAV, pending UFA at end of 2018-19 season

G Calvin Pickard, Maple Leafs (, AHL) Age: 25 2017-18 stats: 21 GP, 16-5-0, 1.85 GAA, .931 save % Contract status: $1 million, pending RFA

G Chad Johnson, Buffalo Sabres Age: 31 2017-18 stats: 20 GP, 3-9-3, 3.57 GAA, .886 save % Contract status: $2.5 million AAV, pending UFA http://winnipegsun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/winnipeg-jets/five-keys-to-jets-vs-capitals

Five keys to Jets vs Capitals

By Ken Wiebe

Winnipeg Jets vs

Tuesday, 7 pm CT, Bell MTS Place,

TV: TSN3. Radio: TSN 1290

THE BIG MATCHUP

Mark Scheifele vs Nicklas Backstrom Chances are pretty good that head coaches Paul Maurice and Barry Trotz will at least start with a best-on-best situation when it comes to matching the top lines. Scheifele has two games under his belt after returning from injury and is finding his way, while Backstrom remains an integral piece of the puzzle for his team because of his two-way play.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Stop the bleeding The Jets had a better effort in a 3-1 loss to the New York Rangers than they did in the 5-2 defeat to the St. Louis Blues but they’ve now lost consecutive games on home ice for the first time this season. And with things tightening up in the Central Division standings, they’ll be looking to avoid suffering just the second three-game losing skid of the season.

Minimize the damage Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has made a habit of lighting up the Jets during his prolific career, notching 45 goals and 88 points in 61 career games against them. The Great 8 leads the NHL in goals and has already equalled last season’s total (33) and he’s averaging over a per game (60 in 55 games), so trying to keep him in check is a top priority for the Jets.

Wheeler is due Jets captain Blake Wheeler chipped in another assist in Sunday’s game and he generated plenty of scoring chances for himself as well. Although his goal-less drought reached a season- high 14 games, Wheeler finished with six shots on goal and had 12 shot-attempts, so it seems like it’s only a matter of time before he finds the back of the net again.

Find the power The Jets power play has been clicking well this season, but it has run into a rough patch of late, going just three-for-21 during the six games on this homestand. While the efficiency (83.6 %) remains fourth in the NHL, generating a bit more with the man-advantage can make a huge difference when the games are so tight during the stretch run.

Keep an eye on Carlson Capitals defenceman John Carlson is having a fantastic season and has himself in the discussion for the Norris Trophy. With nine goals and 44 points in 55 games, he’s among the top scoring blue-liners and also plays against the opposition’s top lines on most nights. He’s also an important piece to the Capitals power play, collecting 21 of his points with the man- advantage.

Sportsnet.ca http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nhl-rumour-roundup-rick-nash-open-trade-canadian- contender/

NHL Rumour Roundup: open to trade to Canadian contender

Exactly two weeks away from the 2018 NHL trade deadline, the rumour mill is in full swing. While some clubs are content to float through the final months of the regular season with their spot among the league’s elite well-established, others will look to use the trade deadline as the means by which they climb out of mediocrity and into that upper echelon.

With a fair few marquee names being bandied about, here are a few notable rumours to keep an eye on:

Rick Nash open to suiting up for a Canadian club After a return to the 40-goal club just a few seasons ago, New York Rangers Rick Nash has seen his stock fall in recent seasons. Thirty-seven games missed over the past two years, coupled with a declining goals-per-game pace, has led to conversations of a potential deadline deal to ship Nash out of Manhattan.

That hypothetical became a little more tangible last week, when Nash was asked to submit a list of 18 teams to whom he would not accept a trade (effectively asking him to list the 12 NHL clubs for whom he would be open to suiting up).

According to Nash’s comments to the New York Post on Sunday, one or more of the , Winnipeg Jets or could be among the teams permitted to make a bid for the former Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard Trophy winner.

“I included the teams that I think have the best chance of winning the Stanley Cup and are also places I think would be good for my family,” Nash told the Post‘s Larry Brooks on Sunday.

“And, yes, that does include teams in Canada. I’m not excluding that as a possibility.”

There are only three Canadian teams who appear to be in the championship mix at the moment, as Toronto, Winnipeg, and Calgary are the only northern clubs currently holding playoff spots. Winnipeg leads that group with 73 points thus far, followed by Toronto’s 71 and Calgary’s 66.

The Jets also lead the above trio in cap space, currently sitting with roughly $18.6 million (per CapFriendly). The Flames are next in line with $7.7 million in cap space, while the Leafs have $4.7 million due to their LTIR situation.

Though the veteran sniper is apparently open to returning home for the next phase of his career, it appears the are the current front-runner in the Nash sweepstakes — undoubtedly checking off the winger’s desire to don a contender’s sweater post-deadline.

TSN 1290 (AUDIO LINKS) https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/mckenzie-jets-cap-situation-in-18-19-key-for-deadline- 1.996230

McKenzie: Jets cap situation in 18/19 key for deadline

TSN's Bob McKenzie joined the Big Show to talk about the Jets two game slide and if there's cause for concern plus whether the Rangers and Winnipeg are a trade fit as well as how big Kevin Cheveldayoff will aim for at the deadline. https://www.tsn.ca/radio/winnipeg-1290/hamilton-jets-back-to-back-losses-no-cause-for-panic- 1.996497

Hamilton: Jets back-to-back losses no cause for panic

Winnipeg Free Press writer Jeff Hamilton joined host Kevin Olszewski to break down the Winnipeg Jets loss to New York and a look ahead to CFL free agent frenzy.