CHICAGO, IL- When General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff traded down from No. 13 to 24, he wasn't entirely sure what the draft board would look like when it was his turn at the podium during Friday's first round.
But as the picks rolled on and the crowd thinned out, it became increasingly clear the Jets were about to land one of the most highly coveted players in the draft.
In fact, it was a player they've had their eye on for some time, and especially over the past few weeks - one they would've been thrilled to select at 13, let alone 24 - after an impressive Combine interview cemented their opinion.
Kristian Vesalainen - the seventh-ranked European skater - was their guy.
Highly coveted Kristian Vesalainen drafted with 24th pick
GM says Vesalainen would have been an option at 13 had they kept original pick
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