Vesalainen earns Moose jersey after disappointing Jets camp

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This article was published 27/09/2019 (2171 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The front door was wide open at Winnipeg Jets training camp for Kristian Vesalainen but the young forward couldn’t figure out a way to skate through it.

The 2017 first-round draft pick was one of five players assigned Friday to the Manitoba Moose, the Jets’ American Hockey League affiliate.

With the absences of two high-scoring wingers, restricted free agents Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor, Vesalainen was pegged as a candidate for work on the NHL club’s top-nine forward group. But he did little to warrant cracking Winnipeg’s 23-man roster to start the regular season next week.

Laine finally signed a two-year, $13.5-million contract Friday.

Vesalainen had no points in five pre-season games and registered just two shots on goal.

A year ago, he earned his way onto the team out of training camp but played just five games — recording an assist — before getting sent to the Moose. He split the rest of the season playing in the AHL (4G, 9A) and the KHL with Jokerit Helsinki (6G, 11A).

The Jets also sent forwards Andrei Chibisov and Michael Spacek and defencemen Logan Stanley and Cam Schilling to the Moose. Only Schilling must clear waivers before reporting to Manitoba.

Chibisov, signed during the summer to a one-year, entry-level contract has played the last five seasons in the KHL. At 6-4, 227 pounds, he’s an imposing presence and impressed Jets brass with his ability to move well while playing a physical style along the wall. He’s a legitimate candidate to get recalled if Winnipeg gets into injury trouble.

With the addition of Laine, Winnipeg has 16 forwards, nine defencemen, and three goalies on the roster. The survivors include Joona Luoto, another summer free-agent signing who’s had a solid camp and is demonstrating he can handle the defensive responsibilities that come with being a bottom-six forward.

JC Lipon, C.J. Suess and David Gustafsson remain in the forward group, along with veterans Gabriel Bourque and Mark Letestu. Blue-liners Nelson Nogier and Ville Heinola survived the latest round of cuts as well. Goalie Eric Comrie hasn’t been sent to the Moose but likely will be.

Winnipeg needs to get down to 23 players, meaning five more cuts to come (including Comrie).

The Jets enjoyed a day off skates Friday but return to the Iceplex today for a 1 p.m. session, and then play their final pre-season contest Sunday afternoon against the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul.

jason.bell@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPJasonBell