Landing In Lugano

I'm always appreciative of the guys who play in bottom-six roles because they're the guys who do a lot of dirty work. Rasmus Kupari, pictured to the left, was one of those guys who played in the bottom-six for the Winnipeg Jets, but he was a different kind of role player. He was speed personified as he may have been one of the fastest guys on skates in the NHL, but he was on the injured list too often to be truly effective. It should come as no surprise that the 25 year-old Finn only skated in 67 games in two seasons with the Jets due to injuries, so I was sad to see the news that Kupari had signed with Lugano HC of the Switzerland's National League.

Seeing Kupari heading to Switzerland will put a little strain on the depth chart as both he and Axel Jonsson-Fjällby signed deals in Europe for next season. Jonsson-Fjällby was another good role player who did what he was asked, but he'll look for more ice-time and offensive opportunities when he suits up with Brynäs IF of the Swedish Hockey League, and I suspect Kupari will seek the same with Lugano. Kupari won't get the benefit of a bigger ice surface in Lugano, but I suspect that won't bother him too much.

Depending on who Lugano brings back, he could line up beside former Oilers forward Mark Arcobello who had ten goals and 37 points this season. Former NHLer Daniel Carr also had a solid season with 16 goals and 37 points while former Anaheim Ducks forward Jiří Sekáč had ten goals and 29 points. Needless to say, Kupari should find linemates in Lugano who can keep up with his blazing speed.

The good news for Jets fans is that Ken Wiebe is reporting that the Jets will qualify Kupari in order to retain his NHL rights. If Kupari finds his scoring touch in Switzerland, there may be a chance for the Jets to convince him to come back in the future where he can be a blur on Canada Life Centre ice once again. As they say, you can't teach speed, so that's one of those traits that every team wants. Frankly, the Jets could use a little more of that in their lineup.

Kupari likely wasn't going to be one of the early signings for GM Kevin Cheveldayoff as the team needs to figure out what to do with unrestricted free agents Nikolaj Ehlers, Mason Appleton, Brandon Tanev, Dominic Toninato, and Haydn Fleury while restricted free agents Gabe Vilardi, Morgan Barron, and Dylan Samberg are pressing needs for the franchise. Ehlers and Vilardi represent major pieces of the offensive attack while Dylan Samberg proved his worth as the season progressed. All three are likely in line for major pay increases.

If one was asking for my opinion, I'd want to see Ehlers, Vilardi, Barron, Samberg, Toninato, and Fleury back. Toninato will likely captain the Moose once again, but he was a solid reserve when called upon over the course of the season. Fleury showed that he's capable of big-game minutes in the playoffs while being responsible defensively, and Barron was solid all season despite his production disappearing in the playoffs. I would have had Kupari in with this group if he was still available, but that ship has sailed.

For those wondering why Appleton and Tanev wouldn't be offered contracts if I were running the Jets, I'm not saying they aren't good players nor that they shouldn't be with Winnipeg. It's the nature of the game, though, to promote younger talent from the AHL, and, based on players we saw this season join the Jets from the Moose, I'd be looking at Jaret Anderson-Dolan to take Tanev's role on the fourth line while I'd like to see Nikita Chibrikov open the season in Appleton's third-line spot. Both players bring more offensive spark than the Appleton-Tanev combination does, and the kids have to be given a chance if the Jets are developing them.

Rasmus Kupari likely could have slotted into one of those spots or into the centre position on that fourth line if needed. Instead, he'll take his talents to southern Switzerland where he'll look to capture a National League championship. I want to wish Rasmus Kupari the best of luck in Switzerland, and here's hoping he'll return one day. It was always a blast to see #15 speeding down the ice!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!