The Winnipeg Jets didn’t want Kristian Vesalainen to go back to Europe, mostly because that means their top prospect wouldn’t be available.
But off he went, and I can hardly blame the teenager in a new continent for being uncomfortable. A guaranteed spot in the NHL would help ease those concerns, but the Jets really couldn’t offer him one.
They tried, calling him up and reassigning him several times, but it just didn’t work out. But now he’s back stateside, as the KHL season has concluded. Vesalainen had six goals and 11 assists in 31 games for his hometown team, Jokerit.