Photo Credit: Colby Spence
The curious case of Kristian Vesalainen took another turn today as the Jets announced they have reassigned their 2017 1st rounder back to the Manitoba Moose of the AHL. His recall this past Friday caused a stir as it was done ahead of a reported out clause that would have allowed the young prospect to return to Finland if he remained in the AHL. His KHL rights had been recently traded to his hometown team.
Jets coach Paul Maurice simply said on Sunday that he was brought up due to the fact that the team was playing four games in six days and they could use the extra body. And yet just two days later he is reassigned to the Moose. Is another move coming?
Stay tuned to see if Vesalainen is on the ice with the Moose on Wednesday for practice.
Update: Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff spoke in Calgary about the situation with Vesalainen.
Kevin Cheveldayoff: On the Vesalainen contract situation. Is it his expectation that Vesalainen is going back to Europe? Will he be available for recall? At the conclusion of the KHL season will he be available? Does the World Juniors factor in? Would he like to see Vesalainen play in the World Juniors? On Vesalainen choosing to go back to Europe vs playing big minutes in the AHL. Does he see benefits to Vesalainen playing in Europe? Was the hope that he would “want” to stay with the Moose. Is it “tougher” to keep an eye on him in terms of development since he will be in Europe. On clarity of the Jets recall on Friday. Is it possible he plays a few more games with the Moose?
Audio courtesy of TSN 1290 Winnipeg.
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