Vesalainen feels his time will come

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This article was published 29/10/2019 (2229 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Many people expected Kristian Vesalainen would make the jump to the Winnipeg Jets this season.

But even with several openings in the NHL team’s lineup, the 20-year-old Helsinki native didn’t show enough in training camp to earn a spot with the big club.

He was demoted to the Manitoba Moose, where in eight games this season, the Jets’ first-round pick in the 2017 NHL draft has zero goals and two assists. After Tuesday’s practice, the young forward was asked to assess his play this season.

“I mean, I work hard, but obviously, my game with the puck has to be a lot better,” said Vesalainen, who had an assist in five games with the Jets last year. “I’m not even close to the player I know I can be.”

Although Vesalainen hasn’t gotten off to the start he was hoping for this season, he believes the goals will come. He’s not letting the expectations that come with being a highly touted prospect faze him.

“Maybe it’s next game, maybe it’s two games — I don’t know. But I know it’s going to click sometime and it’s not far,” Vesalainen said.

Moose head coach Pascal Vincent said Vesalainen is doing everything the team is asking of him. He would, however, like to see Vesalainen release his shot quicker, get to the net more to score ugly goals and add some muscle to his frame. Vesalainen stands at 6-4 and weighs 228 pounds.

“I think he’s a guy that is still getting used to his size,” Vincent said. “He’s a tall kid, a tall person. But not as strong as a 25-year-old, which makes sense, but some 20-, 21-year-olds are very, very strong at their age. I think he needs to get stronger, his lower body has to get stronger. But the mindset is right and the attitude is right. So to me, that’s very positive. So it’s a matter of time.”

It’s a long season and you never know when the Jets might call upon Vesalainen’s services. For now, the NHL team is opting to call up players such as 27-year-old Logan Shaw, who leads the Moose with five points in eight games and is joining the Jets due to Mason Appleton’s recent injury.

Vesalainen knows his time will come. He just needs to play better.

“I just know I’m not that kind of person that puts a lot of pressure on (himself),” Vesalainen said. “I’m still a young player and have lots of time still.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31