Jacob Billington: Rasmus Kupari Could Develop into More Than 4C

Adam Lowry stats at age 23:
74gp 7g 10a for 17 points.
0.23ppg

Rasmus Kupari at age 23:
66gp 3g 12a for 15 points.
0.23ppg

Rasmus Kupari is essentially Adam Lowry's replacement, and if the Jets can get some center depth would be an ideal 4th line center.

Adam Lowry stats at age 23:
74gp 7g 10a for 17 points.
0.23ppg

Rasmus Kupari at age 23:
66gp 3g 12a for 15 points.
0.23ppg

Rasmus Kupari is essentially Adam Lowry's replacement, and if the Jets can get some center depth would be an ideal 4th line center.
- TheUltimateJet

Kupari has some better potential but at 23 if he doesn't realize it soon he's probably never going to. Pretty much do or die time for him this year.

Kid deserves a chance at earning second line center, but so does Cole Perfetti. maybe moving Perfetti to his natural position might help him stay a bit healthier and playing a more familiar position he may stop putting himself into bad situations to get hit.

Kid deserves a chance at earning second line center, but so does Cole Perfetti. maybe moving Perfetti to his natural position might help him stay a bit healthier and playing a more familiar position he may stop putting himself into bad situations to get hit.
- shanerationX

Good post!

I have Perfetti penciled in as the 2nd line center to begin the season.. my line up would look like this:

Ehlers Scheifele Niederreiter
Connor Perfetti Vilardi
Iafallo Lowry Appleton
Barron Kupari Namestnikov

Morrissey DeMelo
Dillon Pionk
Samberg Schmidt

Hellebuyck
Brossoit

All this is assuming that Scheifele and Hellebuyck start the year in Jets uniforms.

The worst thing the Jets could do is go out and get an average Center who wont move the needle!! its premature to say we have no depth until BOTH Perfetti and Villardi have been given extensive opportunities to play center. With Lucious/Lambert and Zhilkin all coming up, now is not the time to panic about Center depth.

side note, not enough people are talking about Salomonsson, the kid is going to be a top 4 Right Shot D down the road, book it.

The worst thing the Jets could do is go out and get an average Center who wont move the needle!! its premature to say we have no depth until BOTH Perfetti and Villardi have been given extensive opportunities to play center. With Lucious/Lambert and Zhilkin all coming up, now is not the time to panic about Center depth.

side note, not enough people are talking about Salomonsson, the kid is going to be a top 4 Right Shot D down the road, book it.
- Ross77

Here is some info on Solomonson. https://www.eliteprospect.../574931/elias-salomonsson

“The Jets original 2nd rounder was supposed to be 46th overall but that was dealt to the Capitals as part of the Brenden Dillon acquisition. This 2nd rounder comes to them via the Rangers trade for Andrew Copp this season which was originally a Blues selection”

The worst thing the Jets could do is go out and get an average Center who wont move the needle!! its premature to say we have no depth until BOTH Perfetti and Villardi have been given extensive opportunities to play center. With Lucious/Lambert and Zhilkin all coming up, now is not the time to panic about Center depth.

side note, not enough people are talking about Salomonsson, the kid is going to be a top 4 Right Shot D down the road, book it.
- Ross77

Basically feel the same way. I think we have far more depth (still unproven) at the NHL level) in the system at forward than we do on the blue-line.

Salomonsson, barring injury, should be a top-four pairing for the Jets if all reports are correct, as you say. Problem is after him, don't see any other D-man jumping out at me. Hopefully any Sheifele or Hellebuycj trade will bring back a young d-man with lots of potential. (maybe two d-men, one a puck-moving offensive guy, the other a big, mean, take-no-prisoners type of D-man)

The forwards? We have lots of highly ranked players with opportunity knocking for them. Be interesting to see how this plays out. Some make it, others don't! Who wants a job?

Basically feel the same way. I think we have far more depth (still unproven) at the NHL level) in the system at forward than we do on the blue-line.

Salomonsson, barring injury, should be a top-four pairing for the Jets if all reports are correct, as you say. Problem is after him, don't see any other D-man jumping out at me. Hopefully any Sheifele or Hellebuycj trade will bring back a young d-man with lots of potential. (maybe two d-men, one a puck-moving offensive guy, the other a big, mean, take-no-prisoners type of D-man)

The forwards? We have lots of highly ranked players with opportunity knocking for them. Be interesting to see how this plays out. Some make it, others don't! Who wants a job?
- grahamzky

If only the Jets could get Nemec for Hellebuyck, really doubt NJ is trading him though.

If only the Jets could get Nemec for Hellebuyck, really doubt NJ is trading him though.
- JetFuel

Yeas for sure - Nemec and Vanacek? Might have to be a salary dump as well?

If only the Jets could get Nemec for Hellebuyck, really doubt NJ is trading him though.
- JetFuel

The bigger problem for any trade involving Helle is that it has to be a place where he will sign and where the team that is trading for him has enough cap ( one yr out) to do that deal . NJ is pretty cash-strapped. Toffoli salary comes off next year but Mercer is an RFA . They also have about $3.5 of cap left if they can trade Vancek then they can get a deal done. Cap may also go up by $3M or so next year.

NJ is a good fit for Helle as it checks almost all the boxes. He is USA-born ( Michigan) and his girlfriend ( now has another baby) is from the Mass area. They are also going to be a contender for quite some time with a stacked roster that is only missing a world-class goalie. ....and yes....some really promising young talent.

The problem is that rumor has it Helle wants $9.5. Very few if any teams can afford that. I'd bet at somewhere btw $8.5 and $8.7M he signs in NJ. Otherwise, there are a few other teams like Buffalo and Ottawa who could use a goalie. Philly also makes sense. I'd bet NJ, then Philly, then Buffalo as his destination.

I imagine Helle and Andrea will want to put more permanent roots down soon with the boy and now a baby girl . Could Chevy get two USA-born parents to extend ? I'd say its a 30% chance at best. The Jets will have the cap room next year to sign both Helle and Scheif so either could get extended. The problem is I don't think either would extend for more than a year or so as they are both looking for the security of that final long-term contract at the peak of their career.

BTW....The natural choice for Scheif is Ottawa. He is from the region and so is his girlfreind. They could use another good center. The Bruins desperately need another center as I doubt Coyle and Zacha can cut it as their top two. Bruins however have nothing to give back.

The bigger problem for any trade involving Helle is that it has to be a place where he will sign and where the team that is trading for him has enough cap ( one yr out) to do that deal . NJ is pretty cash-strapped. Toffoli salary comes off next year but Mercer is an RFA . They also have about $3.5 of cap left if they can trade Vancek then they can get a deal done. Cap may also go up by $3M or so next year.

NJ is a good fit for Helle as it checks almost all the boxes. He is USA-born ( Michigan) and his girlfriend ( now has another baby) is from the Mass area. They are also going to be a contender for quite some time with a stacked roster that is only missing a world-class goalie. ....and yes....some really promising young talent.

The problem is that rumor has it Helle wants $9.5. Very few if any teams can afford that. I'd bet at somewhere btw $8.5 and $8.7M he signs in NJ. Otherwise, there are a few other teams like Buffalo and Ottawa who could use a goalie. Philly also makes sense. I'd bet NJ, then Philly, then Buffalo as his destination.

I imagine Helle and Andrea will want to put more permanent roots down soon with the boy and now a baby girl . Could Chevy get two USA-born parents to extend ? I'd say its a 30% chance at best. The Jets will have the cap room next year to sign both Helle and Scheif so either could get extended. The problem is I don't think either would extend for more than a year or so as they are both looking for the security of that final long-term contract at the peak of their career.

BTW....The natural choice for Scheif is Ottawa. He is from the region and so is his girlfreind. They could use another good center. The Bruins desperately need another center as I doubt Coyle and Zacha can cut it as their top two. Bruins however have nothing to give back.
- jetsnation

Well if the Jets take Vanacek (or NJ trades him to another team), Helle comes back to reality and signs for someone in the $8-8.5M range, the cap goes up a few million and they sign Mercer to a bridge deal it shouldn't be all that hard difficult for the Devils to fit a Hellebuyck extension in, if they feel they absolutely have to sign Mercer to a long term deal then Idk how they could fit Hellebuyck in.

Guess they could move Haula but then they'd need to replace him and doubt they'd trade Marino to open up cap space either, a Mercer bridge would really be necessary but if he has a monster 23-24 season there probably isn't going to be a bridge contract for him, they could maybe move Palat but at his age, contract and with some trade protection that might be difficult to do.

I've seen some Sabres fans saying their GM has stated they're going with Levi, Comrie and Lukkonen so they might not be looking for a goalie at the moment. Ottawa signed Korpisalo, have that Sogard kid and Forsberg so doubt they'd be looking for a goalie and don't see Helle signing in Ottawa, Philly isn't looking like they'll be a contender anytime soon so doubt he'd sign there but geographically speaking it does make sense. Just seems like there's a very limited market for Hellebuyck.

I just hope the Jets don't sign Helle, his next contract is gonna be bad no matter what, they need to get what they can for him and move on.

Ottawa has Stutzle, Norris and Pinto, do they really need another center? I don't see it myself.

Yeah Boston needs a center but as you say they don't have much to offer, even if the Jets took a futures package for Scheifele the Bruins dealt their 2024 1st, 2nd and 3rd and their 2025 2nd so would have to wait for 2025 for a 1st round pick and their prospect pool isn't very deep, guess their 2021 1st round pick RW Fabian Lysell is their top prospect, does a 2025 1st and Lysell for Scheifele get it done for Jets fans or management?

Well if the Jets take Vanacek (or NJ trades him to another team), Helle comes back to reality and signs for someone in the $8-8.5M range, the cap goes up a few million and they sign Mercer to a bridge deal it shouldn't be all that hard difficult for the Devils to fit a Hellebuyck extension in, if they feel they absolutely have to sign Mercer to a long term deal then Idk how they could fit Hellebuyck in.

Guess they could move Haula but then they'd need to replace him and doubt they'd trade Marino to open up cap space either, a Mercer bridge would really be necessary but if he has a monster 23-24 season there probably isn't going to be a bridge contract for him, they could maybe move Palat but at his age, contract and with some trade protection that might be difficult to do.

I've seen some Sabres fans saying their GM has stated they're going with Levi, Comrie and Lukkonen so they might not be looking for a goalie at the moment. Ottawa signed Korpisalo, have that Sogard kid and Forsberg so doubt they'd be looking for a goalie and don't see Helle signing in Ottawa, Philly isn't looking like they'll be a contender anytime soon so doubt he'd sign there but geographically speaking it does make sense. Just seems like there's a very limited market for Hellebuyck.

I just hope the Jets don't sign Helle, his next contract is gonna be bad no matter what, they need to get what they can for him and move on.

Ottawa has Stutzle, Norris and Pinto, do they really need another center? I don't see it myself.

Yeah Boston needs a center but as you say they don't have much to offer, even if the Jets took a futures package for Scheifele the Bruins dealt their 2024 1st, 2nd and 3rd and their 2025 2nd so would have to wait for 2025 for a 1st round pick and their prospect pool isn't very deep, guess their 2021 1st round pick RW Fabian Lysell is their top prospect, does a 2025 1st and Lysell for Scheifele get it done for Jets fans or management?
- JetFuel

The last two posts I found very interesting reading and thoughts. Well thought out and interesting reading!

My favorites to get Hellebuyck (for many of the same reasons posted):
1. New Jersey
2. Buffalo
3. Detroit
I don't believe there is a single chance that Helle goes to Philly - I believe he wants to play either with a contender, or close to home - in a U.S. city.

Scheifele? Like has been said, Boston leading contender, but for who? Or perhaps the Wings? Maybe have to be a three-way trade?

I can see us starting the season with Hellebuyck, and there will be teams that have injuries that will come knocking - and hopefully desperate. Scheifele needs to go BEFORE the season starts IMO.

Who we'll be involved in the deals? Like Craig Button says "If a team wants a player bad enough, they find a way!" I concur!

The last two posts I found very interesting reading and thoughts. Well thought out and interesting reading!

My favorites to get Hellebuyck (for many of the same reasons posted):
1. New Jersey
2. Buffalo
3. Detroit
I don't believe there is a single chance that Helle goes to Philly - I believe he wants to play either with a contender, or close to home - in a U.S. city.

Scheifele? Like has been said, Boston leading contender, but for who? Or perhaps the Wings? Maybe have to be a three-way trade?

I can see us starting the season with Hellebuyck, and there will be teams that have injuries that will come knocking - and hopefully desperate. Scheifele needs to go BEFORE the season starts IMO.

Who we'll be involved in the deals? Like Craig Button says "If a team wants a player bad enough, they find a way!" I concur!
- grahamzky

I think the market/demand is drying up now for upcoming UFA's . Unless Chevy can extend either of these boys for another year or two then the next move is for Chevy to let them ride for a bit on the current roster and let them see if the new modified roster gets off to a good start and has better dressing room culture. If so maybe one of them stays and signs before the deadline. If not, then they will likely fetch more anyways from some contender at the trade deadline than they will right now .

I think the market/demand is drying up now for upcoming UFA's . Unless Chevy can extend either of these boys for another year or two then the next move is for Chevy to let them ride for a bit on the current roster and let them see if the new modified roster gets off to a good start and has better dressing room culture. If so maybe one of them stays and signs before the deadline. If not, then they will likely fetch more anyways from some contender at the trade deadline than they will right now .
- jetsnation

I agree - they will likely have greater value at the trade deadline, if we are not in the hunt.

I agree - they will likely have greater value at the trade deadline, if we are not in the hunt.
- bennythehat

And if we are in the hunt? Keep them and let them walk with no return??

And if we are in the hunt? Keep them and let them walk with no return??
- grahamzky

It might come down to a case of asking them close to deadline day if they want to go for the CUP and be part of it ....or be traded. If they say they are in then they would need to sign a one-year extension with the promise of getting traded after season end.

It might come down to a case of asking them close to deadline day if they want to go for the CUP and be part of it ....or be traded. If they say they are in then they would need to sign a one-year extension with the promise of getting traded after season end.
- jetsnation

The $17m cap saved IF both move on after an hypothical cup run could be used to sign a $5m goalie, extend Ehlers at cost of extra $2m, re-sign Kupari, Perfetti, Samberg and Vlardi for about an extra $5m and look for a $5m free agent defenseman.

There is no equal surefire replacement for Helle at any cost, losing him would be a downgrade but perhaps allow for more depth at the position with a platoon strategy. Someone will give him a 7x9m contract, some of those years will be underperformed.

Scheifle puts up fantastic offensive numbers and has had some exceptionally good playoff years. We will see what a shift in team culture does for his performance this year, hopefully his game returns to the completeness we saw before covid. If so he will get offers in the 8-9m range, if play is like last year offers will be 7-8 and likely less term.

As much as I love 55 and 37 there is still lots to hope for if we lose them for nothing after a cup run. We have solid prospects in the system, still have all our upcoming picks. No 55 means more opportunity for Vlardi, Perfetti and others who will get more points and fame with increased play time with top end teammates. My preference for managing these two is: if the team is playing well at the deadline then take another run at the cup. If there is a decent offer on the table early in the season consider it. If the team is struggling with them around then trade them for assets. There is no urgency. Bottom line is that it is not the end of the world or a bad management decision to hold both players and let them walk after this season.

The $17m cap saved IF both move on after an hypothical cup run could be used to sign a $5m goalie, extend Ehlers at cost of extra $2m, re-sign Kupari, Perfetti, Samberg and Vlardi for about an extra $5m and look for a $5m free agent defenseman.

There is no equal surefire replacement for Helle at any cost, losing him would be a downgrade but perhaps allow for more depth at the position with a platoon strategy. Someone will give him a 7x9m contract, some of those years will be underperformed.

Scheifle puts up fantastic offensive numbers and has had some exceptionally good playoff years. We will see what a shift in team culture does for his performance this year, hopefully his game returns to the completeness we saw before covid. If so he will get offers in the 8-9m range, if play is like last year offers will be 7-8 and likely less term.

As much as I love 55 and 37 there is still lots to hope for if we lose them for nothing after a cup run. We have solid prospects in the system, still have all our upcoming picks. No 55 means more opportunity for Vlardi, Perfetti and others who will get more points and fame with increased play time with top end teammates. My preference for managing these two is: if the team is playing well at the deadline then take another run at the cup. If there is a decent offer on the table early in the season consider it. If the team is struggling with them around then trade them for assets. There is no urgency. Bottom line is that it is not the end of the world or a bad management decision to hold both players and let them walk after this season.
- 2.0

If 55 cares about legacy then he will sign an extension. The odds are pretty much astronomical that his jersey would get raised to the ceiling with any other team than the Winnipeg Jets. His production numbers are there, his training is elite, he studies the game, so there is no reason he wouldn't be great for another 8 years. The only thing fans have not really liked about him is his level of whining to refs etc, and some defensive liabilities. However, I'd bet top dollar that if he stayed in Winnipeg on his next contract his jersey would be hanging in rafters at the some point after retirement and he would be a welcome alumni to many Jets events.

The $17m cap saved IF both move on after an hypothical cup run could be used to sign a $5m goalie, extend Ehlers at cost of extra $2m, re-sign Kupari, Perfetti, Samberg and Vlardi for about an extra $5m and look for a $5m free agent defenseman.

There is no equal surefire replacement for Helle at any cost, losing him would be a downgrade but perhaps allow for more depth at the position with a platoon strategy. Someone will give him a 7x9m contract, some of those years will be underperformed.

Scheifle puts up fantastic offensive numbers and has had some exceptionally good playoff years. We will see what a shift in team culture does for his performance this year, hopefully his game returns to the completeness we saw before covid. If so he will get offers in the 8-9m range, if play is like last year offers will be 7-8 and likely less term.

As much as I love 55 and 37 there is still lots to hope for if we lose them for nothing after a cup run. We have solid prospects in the system, still have all our upcoming picks. No 55 means more opportunity for Vlardi, Perfetti and others who will get more points and fame with increased play time with top end teammates. My preference for managing these two is: if the team is playing well at the deadline then take another run at the cup. If there is a decent offer on the table early in the season consider it. If the team is struggling with them around then trade them for assets. There is no urgency. Bottom line is that it is not the end of the world or a bad management decision to hold both players and let them walk after this season.
- 2.0

My bottom line is that I totally disagree with your bottom line "that it is not the end of the world or a bad management decision to hold both players and let them walk after this season."

IMO it would be a horrible decision to let two elite players (Scheifele and Hellebuyck) walk for zippo - nothing! What aspiring successful management team would do that? I can't believe people think that way!

We can absolutely replenish the cupboards if we deal these players either for current NHL players, prospects or draft picks. In a year or two we can be a force - and a legitimate contender. We are not winning Lord Stanley this year anyway.

Excitement and hope is just a stone's throw away - or just a couple of deals away! Let's make it happen!

Letting the two players walk for nothing would be devastating!

My bottom line is that I totally disagree with your bottom line "that it is not the end of the world or a bad management decision to hold both players and let them walk after this season."

IMO it would be a horrible decision to let two elite players (Scheifele and Hellebuyck) walk for zippo - nothing! What aspiring successful management team would do that? I can't believe people think that way!

We can absolutely replenish the cupboards if we deal these players either for current NHL players, prospects or draft picks. In a year or two we can be a force - and a legitimate contender. We are not winning Lord Stanley this year anyway.

Excitement and hope is just a stone's throw away - or just a couple of deals away! Let's make it happen!

Letting the two players walk for nothing would be devastating!
- grahamzky

most of my point was that letting them walk would not be for nothing, there is a lot to be gained. We shouldn't be in the business of losing good hockey players but keeping them around even without an extension signed provides another playoff run with their service and a lot of cap space to continue with the next gen core without losing more players. and to jetsnation's point 55 has some legacy reasons to want to stay - potential captain, long tenure with the team that drafted him, hang 55 in the rafters with #10. The deal has to work for both team and player, if the number here isn't working or his heart isn't in it then the next best thing for the team is to try and win some playoff games with 55&37 as own rentals and move along.

most of my point was that letting them walk would not be for nothing, there is a lot to be gained. We shouldn't be in the business of losing good hockey players but keeping them around even without an extension signed provides another playoff run with their service and a lot of cap space to continue with the next gen core without losing more players. and to jetsnation's point 55 has some legacy reasons to want to stay - potential captain, long tenure with the team that drafted him, hang 55 in the rafters with #10. The deal has to work for both team and player, if the number here isn't working or his heart isn't in it then the next best thing for the team is to try and win some playoff games with 55&37 as own rentals and move along.
- 2.0

55 and 37 have been great warriors for our team. That there can be no doubt!

However both players have indicated, or hinter at, they don't want to sign long term in The Peg, and, in my mind, 55's actions have shown that.

The thing is that 55 and 37's jerseys will be flying high in the rafters whether they stay or whether they go. They have already earned that right.

I see no point - zero point - of keeping the two players around to try and win one playoff round. We need to cut bait - now - and get a return that can be used for possible future success. Pretty expensive rentals in my book!

55 and 37 are two of our top five assets - we need a return on our investment!

The thing is that 55 and 37's jerseys will be flying high in the rafters whether they stay or whether they go. They have already earned that right.


- grahamzky

I'd bet the farm that there is absolutely NO chance that their jerseys will be hung from the rafters if they are traded or do not re-sign for term. They have to definitely stick around before they would have earned that right. I do believe Wheeler earned the right despite his drop off in the last season or so.

I'd bet the farm that there is absolutely NO chance that their jerseys will be hung from the rafters if they are traded or do not re-sign for term. They have to definitely stick around before they would have earned that right. I do believe Wheeler earned the right despite his drop off in the last season or so.
- jetsnation

Well I'd bet the farm - if I had one - that their jerseys do hang from the rafters at some point - regardless if they do re-sign or not. How about "a beverage of one's choice" instead of farm.

These two have played a lot of good hockey for a long time for the Jets and are more than worthy of being honored, regardless.

Don't forget - time heals wounds!