Jimmy Vesey, property of the Buffalo Sabres organization, but still yet to sign. Vesey and his signing rights came from the Nashville Predators following the 2016 NHL Draft that was held in Buffalo. There has been much controversy surrounding Vesey since his "signing rights" entered Buffalo. But, before we get to that, here's the scoop on the 23-year old winger.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts into an already established hockey family. His father, Jim Vesey, was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in 1984 and currently works as a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. Coincidentally, father Jim and the Toronto organization drafted Jimmy's younger brother Nolan in the 2014 NHL entry draft. Jimmy was drafted in the 2012 entry draft by the Nashville Predators. Vesey still chose to play college hockey at Harvard, where he had a four year career totaling 144 points in 128 games. In 2015, he was among the three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award. However, current Buffalo Sabre Jack Eichel would eventually win the award. Again in 2016, Vesey was among the top three finalists for the award and ended up going on to win the award in the spring of 2016. Vesey was not interested in playing for Nashville and was eventually traded to the Sabres, well the rights to signing him anyway.
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Now, here we are. early August, days before he will officially become a free agent. Teams that are finalists to land the Harvard hockey star are the Rangers, Devils, and Blackhawks according to Buffalo radio show, WGR 550. With the way the Sabres have been running the team the last couple years there is no doubt that he would excel within the organization. He would join the elite young talent the Sabres posses. Maybe he doesn't want to sign because Jack Eichel won the Hobey Baker over him in 2015 but that's just me. With an organization already stacked with young, elite prospects, Vesey would just join that list and make the teams potential that much better. But, do they really need him. The projected lineup already looks promising.
Without Vesey, here is what I project their lines would be come 2016 with Robin Lehner being the number one net-minder.
Eichel-O'Reilly-Reinhart
Moulson-Girgensons-Okposo
Ennis-Gionta-Fasching
Foligno-Larsson-Deslauriers
Ristolainen-Kulikov
Franson-Bogosian
McCabe-Gorges
Now, keep in mind, these are MY projections, they might not be perfect but this is the 18 best skaters to have on the ice to win. Also, keep in mind there are some guys on this team who are very injury prone (cough Ennis cough) so to have a guy like Vessey either scratched or to have him in the lineup would it improve the team? Absolutely. Do they absolutely need him on the team? No. This team can do just fine without him.
So, my message to Mr. Vesey. He is a very good hockey player. I've seen him play in college and he will be a star in the NHL. But, he has proved absolutely nothing in the NHL. As a college athlete writing this on my couch wishing to have the talent to play at a professional level, you should've just signed with the Sabres or even Nashville. I would kill just to get one opportunity if a team showed interest in me. It shows the character that this young man has. If I was Tim Murray, I would have given up by now because I wouldn't want a guy on my team who wants to see what other teams have to offer because he doesn't want to be in Buffalo when he hasn't even played a single game in the NHL.
With or without him, the Sabres have a good chance to see the post season so do not be surprised if you see Buffalo sneak into a wild card spot.
