Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Signs one-year extension with HIFK
Rotowire
Vesalainen has signed a one-year extension with HIFK of the Finnish liiga Friday, David Minuk of Illegal Curve reports.
Vesalainen was selected in the first round --24th overall-- in 2017 and spent parts of three seasons with the Jets from 2018 until 2022. Vesalainen inked a one-year deal in the offseason with Malmo of the Swedish League but went to his native Finland earlier in the season when things did not work out in Malmo. The Jets retained his rights as they tendered him an offer during the summer of 2022. He has nine goals and 17 points in 24 games with HIFK Helsinki after picking up only a goal and two assists in 15 games in Sweden.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Signs with Swedish club
Rotowire
Vesalainen signed a one-year contract with Malmo (Sweden) on Monday, Ken Wiebe of Sportsnet reports.
Vesalainen ended the NHL season mired in a 25-game pointless streak during which he registered just 18 shots while averaging a meager 8:06 of ice time. If the Jets opt to give Vesalainen a qualifying offer, the club will retain his NHL rights should he opt to move back to North America in the future.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Sent to AHL affiliate
Rotowire
Vesalainen was assigned to AHL Manitoba on Saturday.
Vesalainen has drawn into 53 games with the Jets this season, picking up three points over that span, so it wouldn't be surprising to see him back with the big club sooner rather than later.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Cleared to play
Rotowire
Vesalainen (undisclosed) was cleared to return on Thursday, per Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press.
Vesalainen has averaged 9:12 of ice time and has recorded two goals and one assist over 29 appearances this season. Nikolaj Ehlers' entry into the NHL's COVID-19 protocols will mean Vesalainen will likely undertake an expanded role for Thursday's contest against Detroit.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Deemed day-to-day
Rotowire
Vesalainen is considered day-to-day with an undisclosed injury, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports.
The Jets are off until Thursday versus Detroit, so Vesalainen may not end up missing any game action due to his undisclosed issue. The 22-year-old winger has picked up three points through 29 contests this season.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Picks up helper
Rotowire
Vesalainen registered an assist in Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Coyotes.
Vesalainen helped out on an Evgeny Svechnikov goal in the first period. The helper snapped an eight-game point drought for Vesalainen, who last got on the scoresheet with a goal Dec. 3 against the Devils. The winger regularly sees only fourth-line usage, and he's up to just three points, 25 shots on net and 32 hits in 28 contests. He's not likely to be a factor in fantasy.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Exits COVID-19 protocols
Rotowire
Vesalainen cleared the NHL's COVID-19 protocols Thursday, Mitchell Clinton of the Jets' official site reports.
Vesalainen logged one goal through his eight December appearances this season. With Blake Wheeler still missing time due to a knee injury, Vesalainen could see an expanded role.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Lands in COVID-19 protocols
Rotowire
Vesalainen was designated for the NHL's COVID-19 protocols Thursday
Vesalainen has gone pointless in his last seven games while also recording a mere seven shots, including being held without a shot in two of those contests. With Black Wheeler (knee) facing a long-term absence, Vesalainen could be in line for a bigger role, though his placement in the league's protocols will likely see him miss some time as well.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Returns to NHL
Rotowire
Vesalainen was elevated to the Jets' roster from the minors Monday.
Vesalainen has been bouncing between levels for a week or so but could finally be in the mix to rejoin the lineup against the Blues on Tuesday with a number of forwards questionable to play -- including Mark Scheifele (leg).
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Summoned by parent club
Rotowire
Vesalainen was recalled by the Jets on Wednesday.
Vesalainen will likely return to the lineup for Friday's game versus Chicago. The 22-year-old winger has picked up one goal through eight games this campaign.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Dropped to AHL affiliate
Rotowire
Vesalainen was assigned to AHL Manitoba on Tuesday.
Vesalainen was sent to Manitoba to make room for Mikhail Berdin on the Jets' roster. Vesalainen could be back with the big club sooner rather than later.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Nabs first career goal
Rotowire
Vesalainen scored his first NHL goal and had four shots Saturday in a 6-4 win over Nashville.
The 22-year-old deflected a Nate Schmidt point shot to give the Jets a 4-2 lead with 11 seconds left in the second period. Vesalainen had previously collected just two assists in his first 21 NHL games over parts of three seasons.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Up to active roster
Rotowire
Vesalainen was promoted to the active roster Saturday, per CapFriendly.
Vesalainen will provide the Jets with some additional forward depth during the playoffs. He's picked up one assist in 12 contests this year.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Drops to taxi squad
Rotowire
Vesalainen was placed on the taxi squad Thursday, per CapFriendly.
Vesalainen has often been injury insurance for the Jets. He has one assist in 12 games at the NHL level this season.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Joins active roster
Rotowire
Vesalainen was promoted to the active roster under emergency conditions Saturday, per CapFriendly.
Vesalainen ultimately served as a healthy scratch for Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Maple Leafs in what's become a familiar routine for the Finn, who has just one assist through eight contests this season. It'll likely take an injury to a forward for Vesalainen to get into the lineup.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Tabbed for emergency recall
Rotowire
Vesalainen was promoted to the active roster on an emergency basis Saturday, per CapFriendly.
Vesalainen ultimately served as a healthy scratch in Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Oilers. His bouncing between levels will likely end when Blake Wheeler (concussion) is ready to return.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Sent to taxi squad
Rotowire
Vesalainen was reassigned to the taxi squad Friday, CapFriendly reports.
Vesalainen hasn't appeared in an NHL game since Feb. 16. The 21-year-old has one assist in eight games and will likely continue to be a healthy scratch.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Back on active roster
Rotowire
Vesalainen has been added to Winnipeg's active roster ahead of Thursday's matchup with the Maple Leafs.
At this point it isn't clear if Vesalainen will be in the lineup for Thursday's game against Toronto. He's picked up one helper through eight top-level appearances this year.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Emergency recall Wednesday
Rotowire
Vesalainen was promoted to the active roster under emergency conditions Wednesday, per CapFriendly.
Vesalainen was ultimately a healthy scratch for Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Senators. He has acted as the 13th forward for the Jets in recent games, but that's not a role that will lead to much playing time, barring injuries.
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Jets' Kristian Vesalainen: Dropped to taxi squad
Rotowire
Vesalainen was demoted to the taxi squad Friday, CapFriendly reports.
Vesalainen has been a healthy scratch since mid-February. The 21-year-old has just one assist in eight games this season.
