Short piece of spk wire sustitute for spk link?

Why not try bi-wiring instead of replacing the speaker links with short speaker wires?

I'm using the Signal Cable Ultra Speaker Cables (bi-wire configuration) and they're great!
http://signalcable.com/ultraspeaker.html

It's been suggested to me that the best jumpers use the same wire as the cables (where possible) to maintain the impedance etc. Not sure if it makes a difference, but anything is better than the stock jumpers. I've tried expensive custom jumpers with spades ($180) and a bare ended bit of audioquest cable and both worked about equally well. A tight fit should eliminate the need for copper cleaning over time.

Try the ribbon jumpersfrom Mapleshade. Unbelievable boost in speed, clarity, and resolution at $25. I use the ones with the PLUS upgrade for a mere $35/pair.

I am using Cardas jumpers [both the bigger and smaller ones] and lengths of bare wire. Plain Romex is better than some of the stock jumpers in my system and dirt cheap; I have been using some 14 Ga. 99.999 silver wire from VH Audio, running both single and double ones. I don't know which you will like better but there is a considerable difference between the Cardas and VH in sound.