Rumor: All Encompassing Jimmy Vesey Thread. All Rumors/News goes here. Part IV

[Brooklyndevil]

We have Miles Wood & Alex Kerfoot doing their best Hayes Impression. And if he wants a cup soon, go sign with Chicago.

 

[Liferleafer]

I don't think the Leafs have a snowball's chance in Hell here...but a pitch being made by a group including Lou/Babs/Shanny and Mathews should at least be interesting.

 

[Riptide]

Vesey was offered a contract AND roster spot like 15, 16 months ago.

If Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews decided to exploit the "rules" by going to Sweden for two years instead of signing with the teams that drafted them, so they could re-enter the draft, would you think as highly of them?

No, because it would be pretty obvious that it was done solely to become a UFA. However Vesey likely didn't do this solely to be a UFA. He was attending Harvard and now has a Harvard degree. The fact that by waiting a couple months after finishing his NCAA season means he gets to be a UFA, means he might as well wait those months. That's a much different situation then one of the top prospects in the league going overseas just to be a UFA sooner.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Ya I was asking if anyone had an NHL comparable for his upside (ceiling) as I've only seen a few highlight reels, not for what he was exactly going to turn out to be

Well, Killorn was also a Harvard graduate. Vesey has done better than Killorn in Harvard though.

 

[Randy Randerson]

I don't think the Leafs have a snowball's chance in Hell here...but a pitch being made by a group including Lou/Babs/Shanny and Mathews should at least be interesting.

Was there any confirmation that Matthews was in the pitch? I thought that was a Dreger tweet that got misinterpreted, like he said "pitch will include Matthews" but that it might be that the pitch included mentioning that Matthews is a key part of the future

 

[TGWL]

Does anyone have a good comparable for Vesey in terms of NHL upside? I haven't seen anyone try to peg him yet - seems like most want to say non-elite but solid top 6/top line winger with size and who plays a good two way game.

Does somewhere in the James Neal/JVR/Bobby Ryan with good defense echelon seem about right if he turns out?

I think his 2-way game is pretty inconsistent. There definitely needs some work on the defensive side.

 

[Riptide]

Sometimes being close to home matters more than anything else.

I've known more than a few people who have turned down full-rides to schools in order to stay closer to home. Same with jobs.

Yep. My sister turned down a full ride to Ohio State because she didn't want to go to school in the US (hockey scholarship) or a school so far away from home.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I don't think the Leafs have a snowball's chance in Hell here...but a pitch being made by a group including Lou/Babs/Shanny and Mathews should at least be interesting.

A pitch with those 4 guys always as a chance but if it doesn't work Meh.

 

[Randy Randerson]

Well, Killorn was also a Harvard graduate. Vesey has done better than Killorn in Harvard though.

Ya I was just fishing to see if anyone wanted to take a shot at where Vesey's ceiling was by way of naming a comparable player because I haven't seen that yet. I'm thinking James Neal or JVR that can play defense is in the ballpark

 

[Liferleafer]

Was there any confirmation that Matthews was in the pitch? I thought that was a Dreger tweet that got misinterpreted, like he said "pitch will include Matthews" but that it might be that the pitch included mentioning that Matthews is a key part of the future

I was going off of the original tweet, but even if Mathews isn't there, we have a pretty good group to make our presentation...although i'm not sure how we out present the Hawks...

 

[Randy Randerson]

I was going off of the original tweet, but even if Mathews isn't there, we have a pretty good group to make our presentation...although i'm not sure how we out present the Hawks...

Would be interesting if Matthews was included...even if we didn't land Vesey, it would be nice to know that Auston is willing to do that before even playing a game

 

[Randy Randerson]

I think his 2-way game is pretty inconsistent. There definitely needs some work on the defensive side.

ah ok, a bunch of the scouting reports that I've read have said "good 2 way" etc

 

[Liferleafer]

A pitch with those 4 guys always as a chance but if it doesn't work Meh.

I agree...my expectations are exactly zero. If we get him great, but i highly doubt it.

 

[LeveilleFan19]

Vesey was offered a contract AND roster spot like 15, 16 months ago.

If Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews decided to exploit the "rules" by going to Sweden for two years instead of signing with the teams that drafted them, so they could re-enter the draft, would you think as highly of them?

So you're saying that Vesey's motivation for staying at and graduating with a degree from Harvard was simply a ploy in his evil plan to buck the draft system?

Really?

 

[kasper11]

Vesey was offered a contract AND roster spot like 15, 16 months ago.

If Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews decided to exploit the "rules" by going to Sweden for two years instead of signing with the teams that drafted them, so they could re-enter the draft, would you think as highly of them?

If Matthews decided that he so didn't want to play in Toronto that he was willing to push RFA back 2 years, push UFA back 2 years, and give up a ton in salary just to avoid it, I would probably respect him for it.

 

[halcyon]

I don't really get why location seems like the be all and end all for this kid. Any NHL player is going to have to spend a large portion of the season on the road, for one thing.

For another thing, if he loves Boston so much, he gets the whole summer off to spend there and see his friends and family.

You would just think there are a lot more important factors to consider, but he seems to be placing the highest priority on location above all else.

I have heard that his father is battling cancer, which is obviously very sad, but where did people learn this information? I've only seen that posted here.

 

[Riptide]

So you're saying that Vesey's motivation for staying at and graduating with a degree from Harvard was simply a ploy in his evil plan to buck the draft system?

Really?

I'd be surprised if it didn't play a small part. I mean it's an added bonus that he gets if he sticks out his college career. Was it the motivating factor? No, probably not. But I'd be surprised if it didn't enter into the equation at all when he decided to stay another season.

 

[RoadWarrior]

Sounds to me like it's Rangers - Leafs.

Brad Richards all over again.....

Hopefully Matthews puts the buds over the top this time.

 

[TGWL]

I agree...my expectations are exactly zero. If we get him great, but i highly doubt it.

I should clarify by comment.

Watching some of his games, my opinion is that he's good at hustling back, and attacking you 1-1, which can force some turn overs, but gets lost in the defensive zone.

 

[Skinnyjimmy08]

So you're saying that Vesey's motivation for staying at and graduating with a degree from Harvard was simply a ploy in his evil plan to buck the draft system?

Really?

haha must be...IMO any kid that gets a scholarship to an Ivy league school better well stay and get their degree. Sure making the NHL is every kid's dream when they first lace up the skates, but getting a Harvard degree is also a completely mind blowing achievement. He was going to get the chance to play in the NHL if he decided to leave school after year 2 or 3 anyways, so why not just stay the full 4 years and finish what was possibly another life long goal of getting that degree... and since there is that little piece in the rules that allows him to explore free agency, then why not see what happens. Honestly I know its a sore spot, but I really have no problem with his decision. If it's in the rules and he is playing by the rules, then we have nothing to complain about. Teams just need to be careful when drafting Ivy league kids or NCAA kids in general. Cause it will happen a lot more in the future

 

[TheKrebsCycle]

I'm hopeful of Leafs chances but won't be heartbroken. If being close to home while staying under the radar are priorities then Jersey and the Isles make a ton of sense; If he's looking to win immediately Hawks or Pens are the obvious choices/have openings; If he's looking to be part of a talented future type scenario Sabres, Toronto have a chance. Bruins have home court adv as a variable, hopefully we find out sooner rather than later one way or another.

 

[carter333167]

I don't think the Leafs have a snowball's chance in Hell here...but a pitch being made by a group including Lou/Babs/Shanny and Mathews should at least be interesting.

Remove Shanahan from that group and you have some compelling gravitas. Brendan can get the low down on the meeting results from Babcock.

 

[Bergyesque]

Vesey was offered a contract AND roster spot like 15, 16 months ago.

If Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews decided to exploit the "rules" by going to Sweden for two years instead of signing with the teams that drafted them, so they could re-enter the draft, would you think as highly of them?

The thing is he didn't do that to become a free agent, he did it to get his Harvard degree.

 

[Gm0ney]

Players becoming UFAs after 4 years in college isn't a loophole. A CHL player would also be a UFA if he chose to stay in juniors for 4 years (drafted at 18, doesn't sign; goes back into the draft at 20, doesn't sign -> UFA at 22). Staying in college for 4 years and earning a degree is just far more attractive than playing 4 years of junior and earning nothing.

 

[93LEAFS]

haha must be...IMO any kid that gets a scholarship to an Ivy league school better well stay and get their degree. Sure making the NHL is every kid's dream when they first lace up the skates, but getting a Harvard degree is also a completely mind blowing achievement. He was going to get the chance to play in the NHL if he decided to leave school after year 2 or 3 anyways, so why not just stay the full 4 years and finish what was possibly another life long goal of getting that degree... and since there is that little piece in the rules that allows him to explore free agency, then why not see what happens. Honestly I know its a sore spot, but I really have no problem with his decision. If it's in the rules and he is playing by the rules, then we have nothing to complain about. Teams just need to be careful when drafting Ivy league kids or NCAA kids in general. Cause it will happen a lot more in the future

Didn't get a scholarship, or at least a full-ride athletic one. Pretty sure Ivy-league schools still don't give out full athletic rides. Granted, if you can get in they have very favorable loan programs due to their endowments.

Yesterday, Button was saying he sees him as a very similar player to Andrew Ladd potential wise. So obviously, all teams should take a chance if all it takes is a 2-year max-bonus ELC. He may not be worth all this attention, but getting a guy who will be a top 30 prospect in most rankings is worthwhile.