Jets players marking milestones as Seattle Kraken come to town

Winnipeg Jets' Dylan Samberg celebrates his goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning with teammates Kyle Connor and Dylan Demelo during third period NHL hockey action in Winnipeg on Nov. 3, 2024. (Fred Greenslade/The Canadian Press)

It’s a milestone night for a pair of Winnipeg Jets players as they take on the Seattle Kraken Thursday.

Defenceman Dylan DeMelo is playing in his 600th game tonight, while forward Rasmus Kupari is set to log his 200th career game in the NHL.

“Some days it feels a long time ago, but I guess when you look back, yeah, it’s in a blink of an eye. It goes by pretty fast,” said DeMelo. “Pretty happy about that. Hopefully, I can play maybe 600 more, we’ll see. Knock on wood. But yeah, obviously to do it here with these group of guys too, and play a bulk of my games here in Winnipeg makes it even more special.”

“It’s been a good journey so far, and hopefully many more to come,” said Kupari.

DeMelo made his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks and made a stop in Ottawa before being traded to the Jets in the 2019-2020 season.

Kupari played in parts of three seasons with the L.A. Kings before being included in the trade that saw Pierre-Luc Dubois shipped to California.

“Got to play with a lot of good players. Got to live my dream. It’s been huge, and just trying to get better all the time,” said Kupari.

Speaking on DeMelo, Head Coach Scott Arniel said the d-man has turned into a consistent top-pair player, and you know what he brings to the table every game of the season.

“He’s been a good leader for us. He’s always out there matched up against the top six forwards – that’s a big challenge every night, and I think it’s one that he likes to (attack). He knows it’s part of what he has to do each game, and he’s done a great job for us,” said Arniel.

As for the opponent at hand tonight, the Kraken are wrapping up a five-game road trip in Winnipeg. So far the team has gone 2-2 in that stretch.

The Jets and Kraken battled early in the season, with the Jets securing a 4-3 overtime win. Players know they need to play their best game to get the win.

“They got speed, they get on you, they move the puck quick, and they got some really good skill (guys up front) that can shoot the puck and make you pay,” said DeMelo. “We’re gonna have to be good tonight. There’s no easy games in this league, as we know.”

Arniel said it’s all about ensuring Winnipeg Jets hockey is played early in the game.

“Get off to a good start, and (do) some of the things that we’ve talked about, be good in the first again, and sort of force them to chase us,” said Arniel.

After tonight’s contest, there will be one game left for the Jets on their eight-game homestand. That will be on Saturday against the Calgary Flames.

Connor Hellebuyck gets the start against the Kraken and puck drop is at 7 p.m.