Kupari departing Jets for Swiss team

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This article was published 03/06/2025 (298 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Rasmus Kupari is taking a time out from living his NHL dream.

The Winnipeg Jets centre and pending restricted free agent has signed a two-year deal to play for Lugano HC in the Swiss League, the team announced on its website on Tuesday.

Kupari, who was part of the trade with the Los Angeles Kings that also brought fellow forwards Gabe Vilardi and Alex Iafallo and a second-round pick to the Jets, is expected to receive a qualifying offer — which would allow Winnipeg to maintain his NHL rights.

The 25-year-old took some important strides this season, filling in admirably when captain Adam Lowry was out for eight games with an injury while finishing the campaign with five goals and eight points in 53 NHL games.

A first-round choice (20th overall) by the Kings in the 2018 NHL Draft, Kupari has suffered injuries (concussion and shoulder) that have derailed each of the past two seasons, which is likely a factor in his decision to head overseas.