"Winnipeg has always been a well-known city and team in Finland," Numminen said. "If you ask Finnish people, I don't know if they know exactly where Winnipeg is, but they think Winnipeg is almost the capital of Canada. That's how well-known it is.
"They know a lot about the Jets and their history because there's always been a connection."
There is buzz, Numminen said, because of Laine's presence, and that of another Tampere native and Tappara product, Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov.
"There's been a lot of talk and interest, especially now that it's a real game and not an exhibition game," Numminen said. "Everybody realizes the difference of the play and the importance. Everybody is really excited about the event. We've got two of the best talents from Finland playing, so it's a huge thing here."
Numminen had 637 points (117 goals, 520 assists) in 1,372 games over 20 NHL seasons with the Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars and Buffalo Sabres, and spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the Sabres (2012-14). He and his family have moved back to his hometown, nestled between two lakes, Nasijarvi and Pyharjarvi, 100 miles north of Helsinki.
He was happy to show it off Monday, taking a couple of hockey writers around the city landscape and to landmarks like the historic Tampere Cathedral and its famous frescoes, the Hockey Hall of Fame Finland and the Ice Stadium, which is home to Liiga clubs Tappara and Ilves.
"From growing up here, you feel proud," Numminen said. "I was proud to show you the buildings and the history. The older you get, you kind of understand and respect the past and the history of the game and your city and your teams and your culture.
"The older you get, the more you get into history, anyway."