Latest news with #RasmusKupari
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jets Defensive Prospect Puts Up Positive Results In First Professional Season; Tougher Challenges Await Next Season
Alfons Freij / Winnipeg Jets defensive prospect Alfons Freij completed his first season of professional hockey, putting up positive results. The 19-year-old scored two goals and added eight points in 29 games for IF Björklöven in HockeyAllsvenskan, Sweden's second-tier league. HockeyAllsvenskan has proved to be a great league for developing young prospects. Advertisement Freij will make his SHL debut next season, playing with Timrå IK, a team featuring several NHL-affiliated prospects and former NHLer Magnus Pääjärvi. The Jets selected Freij with the 37th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. The second-round pick was the first selection made by the Jets, and the Jets were given plenty of praise for the selection. Listed at 6'1, 196 lbs, Freij is a wonderful skater with strong offensive instincts. He's known for his playmaking ability, and he's beginning to round out his defensive game. His excellent skating is highlighted by both the speed he generates, but also his edge work. He can distribute his weight onto either foot, which makes him a handful for forwards to cover when engaging on the forecheck or trying to defend him at their blue line. His skating and frame should allow him to continue to develop defensively while maintaining his outstanding transition ability. Freij was left off of Sweden's World Junior team this season but will likely play a large role at this year's event. With Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Tom Willander, Theo Lindstein, and Rasmus Bergqvist all aging out of the tournament, roster spots are open for the taking, and Freij looks prepared to take over. Advertisement Although he is still 2-3 years away from fighting for a roster spot on the Jets, Freij is trending in the right direction. Another season or two playing in the SHL will be great for his development before he transitions to North American professional hockey with the Manitoba Moose in the AHL, following a similar path to Elias Salomonsson, who looks poised to crack the Jets roster sometime soon. Stay updated with the most interesting Jets stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favourites on Google News to never miss a story. Jets Lose Forward Rasmus Kupari to Switzerland Jets Lose Forward Rasmus Kupari to Switzerland Winnipeg Jets forward Rasmus Kupari has opted to continue his professional career overseas. Jets Prospect Jacob Julien Wins Memorial Cup With London Knights Jets Prospect Jacob Julien Wins Memorial Cup With London Knights Winnipeg Jets prospect Jacob Julien took home the Memorial Cup with the London Knights last night, defeating the Medicine Hat Tigers in the finals.
Global News
6 days ago
- Business
- Global News
ANALYSIS: Kupari's departure leaves opening on Jets' 4th line
The news of Rasmus Kupari's departure for Switzerland on Tuesday likely didn't send a shock wave through the top of the Winnipeg Jets organization. It did have some of the executives inside the team's hockey operations department scratching their heads, but their reaction was assuredly far from a 'what are we going to do now?' moment. Story continues below advertisement For his part, we can only assume the 25-year-old Kupari was frustrated with his usage the last two years – particularly this Jets season – where he did show promise of moving up on the team's depth chart, only to get hurt in early March on Long Island and then appear in just one of the team's 33 games from that point on. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy When you pull that kind of press box duty, there is little doubt frustration envelops you, and your search for career options elsewhere becomes a priority, especially if you're European. Of course, Kupari always appeared to have more upside to his game than what he actually delivered, producing just five goals and nine points in 87 career games with Winnipeg, even though the young Finn had size and was one of the fastest skaters on the team. Story continues below advertisement His absence next season will leave a right-shot hole on the fourth line — not a large one, to be sure, but a gap that presumably will be filled by any number of candidates, such as Brad Lambert, Nikita Chibrikov, Brayden Yager, Parker Ford or even a free agent acquisition later this summer. In other words, Kupari's departure is not catastrophic, but it will have the Jets brass likely restructuring their forward lineup to address vacancies in both the top and now bottom six ranks. For context, if you're a player like Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Morgan Barron or David Gustafsson, the window of opportunity just slid a little more to the left. After all, the news of Kupari's departure might not have shocked anyone in the Jets' administrative offices, but it will undoubtedly send a wave through those on the team looking to fill the hole that he leaves behind. 4:25 John Shannon on the Jets: Looking to the offseason
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Line Combinations: Jets vs. Devils
The 49-19-4 Winnipeg Jets are set to host the 38-28-7 New Jersey Devils from snowy Manitoba on Friday night. Doused with 15 centimetres of snow over the past 24 hours, Winnipeg's Canada Life Centre will host the first game of the season that truly doesn't matter for the Jets' initial playoff chances. We say 'initial' because every game matter in terms of final standings, finishing placements and season series', but as of Winnipeg's 3-2 overtime victory on Tuesday, the Jets are in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Advertisement They enter the night one point behind Washington for first overall, while having played the same amount of games as the Capitals. But more concerning for the Jets are the red-hot Dallas Stars who sit just four points behind Winnipeg, as well as the Colorado Avalanche and St. Louis Blues, who have combined for a 27-3-3 record in their last 33 games played, combined. With injuries to Gabe Vilardi and Rasmus Kupari, Alex Iafallo has positioned himself on the top line, while David Gustafsson draws back into the fold on the fourth grouping. The second and third lines have see some adjustments as well. Logan Stanley continues to dress on the blueline over Haydn Fleury. Connor Hellebuyck will get the nod between the pipes as the Jets look to become the first team to hit 50 wins on the season. Advertisement Winnipeg Jets' expected line combinations for Friday, March 28 vs. New Jersey: Connor-Scheifele-Iafallo Ehlers-Lowry-Appleton Niederreiter-Namestnikov-Perfetti Gustafsson-Barron-Tanev Morrissey-DeMelo Samberg-Schenn Stanley-Miller Hellebuyck
USA Today
11-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jets vs. Rangers March 11: Injured players, inactives, latest updates
Jets vs. Rangers March 11: Injured players, inactives, latest updates Take a look at the injury report for the Winnipeg Jets (44-17-4), which currently has just one player listed, as the Jets prepare for their matchup against the New York Rangers (31-27-6) at Canada Life Centre on Tuesday, March 11 at 8 p.m. ET. Stream NHL games and originals all season long on ESPN+! Jets vs. Rangers game info Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025 Tuesday, March 11, 2025 Time: 8 p.m. ET 8 p.m. ET TV channel: ESPN+ (Watch on ESPN+ or LIVE on Fubo) ESPN+ (Watch on ESPN+ or LIVE on Fubo) Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg, Manitoba Venue: Canada Life Centre NHL odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Monday at 9:38 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Favorite: Jets (-180) Jets (-180) Underdog: Rangers (+150) Rangers (+150) Total: 6 Jets injury report March 11 Rasmus Kupari | C (Day-To-Day) Injury: Undisclosed Undisclosed Games played: 58 58 Stats: 5 goals, 3 assists, 8 points Rangers injury report March 11 Adam Fox | D (Out) Injury: Upper Body Upper Body Games played: 58 58 Stats: 5 goals, 43 assists, 48 points Adam Edstrom | C (Out) Injury: Lower Body Lower Body Games played: 51 51 Stats: 5 goals, 4 assists, 9 points Watch the NHL on Fubo!
