Fresh off a 2-year deal, Rasmus Kupari is set to work his way into the lineup and make an impact with the Jets. As of now, the expectation is that he will battle with David Gustafsson for the fourth-line center spot, but why not think he can do more?

Last season, Kupari only recorded 15 points in 66 games. That is not an indicator of a player ready to take on a bigger role, however at just 23 years old there is plenty of room to continue to develop. Only playing just over 10 minutes per game, Kupari was a great defensive option for the Kings. The Jets added three great defensive forwards in the Dubois trade, which is a huge need for the team.

Despite being in a defensive role, Kupari scored at a 1.35 points per 60 minutes rate. Similar to Kupari, Morgan Barron scored at 1.36 P/60 in another depth role. With more minutes, a player like Kupari could thrive, and the Jets have room to allow him to do so.

The current center depth for the Jets is weak. They have players like Chaz Lucius, Brad Lambert, Danny Zhilken and more on the way, but for now, they don't have great center depth for the NHL club.

After Mark Scheifele, there is no certainty on who will end up where. The four players bettling for center spots in lines 1-3 are Vladislav Namestnikov, Adam Lowry, Kupari and Gustafsson. There is no reason to assume Kupari can't just up to the second best center this season.

Ideally, keeping Lowry on the third line would be the move for Rick Bowness to make. Kupari could benefit from playing with players like Nikolaj Ehlers, Kyle Connor and Gabe Vilardi. He isn't going to be driving his line offensively or anything, but he certainly isn't a passenger either. He is a physical, defensive player that hasn't been given a true offensive opportunity.

Now, this could all be a moot point and he might not fit there or produce any offense, but it is worth a try. The Jets need someone to step up into the 2C spot. Namestnikov has already developed into the player he is going to be. If he can find a spot in the bottom-six with Kupari on the second line, that would be fantastic.

Vilardi has some experience at center, but has been a winger for the majority of his NHL experience. If Bowness plays him at center that changes the whole conversation. Kupari was taken in the first round, and clearly has the upside somewhere in there. He had decent production in the AHL, so maybe that can translate with a good chance.

What are your thoughts on giving Kupari a bigger role?

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