As some players fell and others, the ones many Jets fans had hoped would be available to them, were snatched up picks before the Jets an unlikely scenario happened. In this case it’s the curious fall of Kristian Vesalainen, the Finish forward in the Swedish Elite League who also raps.
For example, McKeen’s 2017 Draft guide, one of the ‘bibles’ for the NHL draft had Vesalainen going to the Panthers at number 10. This is what they wrote:
[blcokquote]Another stats-savvy organization, the Panthers will like the dominance he displayed at the U18 and the fact that he learned from playing with men at the highest level in both Finland and Sweden. He has yet to prove that he can produce against adults, but the entire toolkit is there. [/blockquote]
Further in the draft guide from is the top 125 players for the draft. Here they have Vesalainen at ninth (9th) in the overall list. That’s impressive for a player taken at 24 but why? Why did he drop?
Vesalainen started the season in Europe playing in the Swedish Elite league and then moving to his native Finland, but in that process received limited ice time as a young player against seasoned men. He did very little to help Finland at at the WJC and questions started to arise. Big frame, talented player but was something missing?
However everything changed at the U18 tournament when he finally played against his peers. As was said in McKeens- he exploded! Having 6 goals and 7 assists he came away with tournament MVP and the silver medal for Finland.
This is how McKeens summarized him:
[blockquote]When at his best, he is an imposing power winger who has speed, dangling ability, and a nose for the puck. He is reliable in all situations and plays a generally reliable game. At his worst, he is a big body. The fact that he did better when given the time to shine and the chance to play against his age-cohort, is a good sign that he can reach those levels with experience and opportunity. We expect more ice time back with Frolunda next season.
As for this draft, his explosive WU18 tournament gave his draft stock a much-needed re-boost and he seems a good bet to come off the board in the 8-14 range. His bust potential is moderate, but the likelihood of booming is pleasantly high. [/blockquote]
Not a bad option for a team who moved down in the draft. As seen before the draft in this space here’s what some of the mock draft and prospect sites had to say about him:
In the end many could and have said the Jets made a steal at 24 by landing Vesalainen but as noted in the work above he’s not a sure thing. He needs time and seasoning. The next step for him will be prospects camp and then back to Europe for another season. Like most players in this draft there are few if any ready to make the jump to the NHL next season. How long could it take Vesalainen to get there, perhaps just when Jets captain Blake Wheeler and fellow right winger is finishing his contract, but that might be putting a bit too much pressure on his rise. At worst though there are similarities in size and drive to the net if he can become a solid middle six forward the Jets have truly had the steal of the 2017 draft.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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