Jets sign former first-round pick to two-year contract

The Kings originally selected Kupari in the first round (No. 20 overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-2 center, who shoots right, spent his first post-draft season with the Liiga club Karpat before entering the Kings professional ranks in 2019.

Kupari appeared in his first seven NHL games with the Kings in the 2020–21 season. He established himself as a regular NHL presence the following year, racking up five goals and 13 points in 57 games in 2021–22.

Through 130 career games over parts of three seasons with the Kings, Kupari has collected nine goals and 29 points. He has yet to record a point through 11 career playoff contests.

The Jets previously agreed to terms on a two-year, $3.4 million AAV deal with Vilardi earlier this summer. Iafallo has two years remaining on a four-year deal he signed with the Kings back in 2021.

After signing Kupari, the Jets have two restricted free agents remaining to deal with this offseason, and they’re both defensemen: Logan Stanley and Declan Chisholm remain unsigned with approximately six weeks left until the start of training camps.