Dmitri Rashevsky
Dynamo Moskva of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) forward Dmitri Rashevsky signed a two-year contract extension through the 2024-25 season, the team announced on February 6, 2023.
In 2019-20, Rashevsky was a surprise MHL star, concerned about the sustainability of the come-from-nowhere breakout and his age.
Rashevsky was passed over in two drafts before getting drafted until the 2021 NHL Draft in the fifth-round pick, 146th overall, after playing for five teams across three levels; the Winnipeg Jets’ decision to pick him in the fifth round looked like a potential steal.
Rashevsky is Dynamo’s leading goal scorer and second in team points. The 22-year-old forward has 15 goals and 15 assists through 59 games in 2022-23.
Drafted for his high-energy playmaking ability, Rashevsky could develop into a top-6 forward for the Jets down the road, but like many Russian prospects drafted to the NHL, Winnipeg will have to wait and see how he fares the next two seasons in KHL before he comes to North America.
Kristian Vesalainen
On February 2, 2023, HIFK announced they signed Kristian Vesalainen for the 2023-2024 season.
Vesalainen opted to leave North America in May 2022 and signed with Malmo of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He played only 15 games for Malmo before he went to HIFK of Liiga.
In 26 games with HIFK, Vesalainen has 19 points (9G, 10A).
Winnipeg drafted Vesalainen in round one, 24th overall in 2017.
In 70 NHL games, Vesalainen could never find consistent playing time and only produced 5 points over three seasons (2G, 3A). He didn’t fare much better in the AHL with the Manitoba Moose throughout four seasons playing in 105 games scoring 20 goals and 34 assists.
Winnipeg tendered him an offer as an RFA, which means they control his rights should he want to return to North America to continue his NHL career.
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