Nope, it doesn’t sound like Jimmy Vesey will be to the Nashville Predators what Chris Kreider is to the New York Rangers.
That would require Vesey to sign an entry-level contract with the Predators, and that’s not reportedly happening, as TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that the Harvard forward will instead opt for free agency.
With that, he’ll be a 22-year-old unrestricted free agent who can sign a deal ... starting on August 15?
Representatives for Jimmy Vesey today informed NSH their client will be exercising his right to unrestricted free agency on Aug. 15. #TSN
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 29, 2016
So the #VeseySweepstakes have, in a manner of speaking, commenced though technically he's not scheduled to be UFA until Aug. 15
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 29, 2016
It appears as though Vesey will follow more of the Justin Schultz model of leaving college and then not signing a deal with the team who drafted him. It’s quite interesting that Vesey decided not to sign with the Predators, which would have given him a chance to at least potentially jump right into playoff races (quite a bit like Kreider’s debut with the Rangers).
He was a third-round pick (66th overall) in 2012, and he scored nicely for Harvard during the last two seasons in particular.
The “Vesey Sweepstakes” might not really begin until August, but the speculation could be heavy for some time.
Update: Here’s the latest on Nashville’s response:
Poile: "On Wednesday we received a call that Vesey was thinking about FA. That was the first time we ever heard something like that." #Preds
— Thomas Willis (@TomAWillis) March 29, 2016
Poile: "Allow me to confirm that we offered Jimmy a spot in our top 6, playoff time and the chance to burn a year on his ELC." #Preds
— Thomas Willis (@TomAWillis) March 29, 2016
Poile: "I'm not going to announce we haven't signed him, because I'm not giving up." #Preds
— Thomas Willis (@TomAWillis) March 29, 2016
Poile: "Very disappointing news."
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) March 29, 2016