Player Discussion Jimmy Vesey

[Gardner McKay]

I'm enthusiastic about the forward group with the players who can potentially grow and improve this season. We'll have a lot of fun seeing if players like Buchnevich and Vesey pan out, and if players like Hayes, Zib, and Miller continue to develop, or if they have hit their peak.

Despite the four solid lines, the thing that really kills us is lack of offense from the blueline. Not many good first passers there. Skjei is going to need to be a big time player for this team to go anywhere.

Grabner-Jooris-Fast could be a real pain in the ass 4th line to play against.

The years this team was its most successful, we had a 4th line that was as you described above. The years it wasn't nearly as successful? We didn't.

 

[darko]

The years this team was its most successful, we had a 4th line that was as you described above. The years it wasn't nearly as successful? We didn't.

This.

 

[GAGLine]

Vesey was a one-man show for Harvard and generates offense even when matched against top players. The ECAC competition thing is moot since he was crushing out-of-conference games the last two years. Very tough to handle, very good speed for a big guy but no first-step quickness. His wrister is his money maker - very accurate but release is so-so. Doesnt use slapper enough above the dots. He's big but physical only in trying to gain positioning. He's not mean or physically intimidating or a defensive-zone battler. His vision is excellent for a power forward and he can make plays in tight spaces.

Very good prospect but not elite. The whole "free 1st rounder" stuff is nonsense. He was never a first rounder, nor was he even drafted in his first look. He had his best seasons at ages 21/22, meaning you'd have to liken every dominant UFA/UDFA amateur to a "free 1st rounder".

All things considered, I'd say Vesey is a top-60 prospect but in the bottom half.

He becomes a UFA in 4 years, whereas a typical 1st rounder debuts at around 20 and gives teams more control.

The bolded is very true, yet McIlrath as a 10th overall pick is now 24 and has played 38 NHL games. There are plenty of other 1st rounders who have done as little or less. From a prospect quality standpoint, apart from the time it has taken him to get to the NHL, I wouldn't be disappointed with how Vesey has developed if we had selected him in the 1st round.

 

[Salvage21]

Hasn't Hayes had enough problems without sticking him with Nash?

Hayes still needs to learn how to become a more complete player. He needs to learn to use his size more to his advantage.

Nash is arguably the Rangers best two-way forward. I understand Nash hasn't been a superstar for about 18 months for the Rangers, but he's not useless. I think he's still an underrated leader. And I think he could be a good mentor to hayes and Vesey if the idea is to play them together to develop chemistry.

Also, think of the size on that line!

 

[Ghost of jas]

The years this team was its most successful, we had a 4th line that was as you described above. The years it wasn't nearly as successful? We didn't.

Hmmm...I wonder what could have caused such a thing?

 

[SingnBluesOnBroadway]

Hmmm...I wonder what could have caused such a thing?

 

[Ghost of jas]

Honka.

They need Honka and someone who can slot next to McDonagh. Re-vamping the defense is going to take some work. You need to move out Staal and Girardi, upgrade Klein, integrate Skjei and McIlrath, and add another puck-mover into the right side.

 

[GAGLine]

Hmmm...I wonder what could have caused such a thing?

What many of us have been preaching about for years: depth.

Getting someone like Stamkos is great, but it means nothing if it prohibits you from fielding a deep team.

 

[Ghost of jas]

What many of us have been preaching about for years: depth.

Getting someone like Stamkos is great, but it means nothing if it prohibits you from fielding a deep team.

I was referring to the addition of Tanner Glass, which has caused the decline of the 4th line since his arrival, as well as this coach's insistence upon playing him, even though every metric shows the Rangers are an inferior team when he's on the ice.

 

[Amazing Kreiderman]

I know right . But Vesey did name him as a big factor in coming to NYR. Said he was "definitely impressed".

Drury is highly underrated by a big part of the Rangers fanbase. Yeah, he was done when he signed with us, but still a better captain than Callahan. His leadership made him valuable despite him regressing.

Now, being part of management, he offers a lot. His experience as a player, but certainly what he did in college... I am certain Vesey, the latest Hobey Baker winner, has tons of respect for Drury.

 

[kovazub94]

If he holds on to the puck as much in the NHL, he'll be in the minor leagues very quickly. He won't get away with this stuff in the AHL, much less the NHL. The video makes me think he becomes a turnover machine as a rookie unless he cuts this stuff by 90%.

My thoughts as well watching this vid. However, he does a good job changing direction and finding open ice. Also his new teammates will do a better job providing him with outlet options and having a good hockey sense hopefully would allow him to find them. There's no question he will need to make adjustments to his game but this sentiment would be applicable to pretty much anyone coming to the NHL.

 

[Mikos87]

They need Honka and someone who can slot next to McDonagh. Re-vamping the defense is going to take some work. You need to move out Staal and Girardi, upgrade Klein, integrate Skjei and McIlrath, and add another puck-mover into the right side.

Yeah I think ideally if the team can form the following this season then the window is back open for a few years:

McD-Big Body, strong skater, physical, Big minute eater, PK
Skjei-Excellent Skater, Puck mover, High Hockey IQ, PP
Puck Mover, Good Skater, 2nd Unit PP-McIlrath
Reliable Cheap Contract


Realisitcally this year, if adding that guy next to McD happens, then the Rangers can contend with one of Staal/Girardi getting minutes.

Kevin Bieksa for example started very poorly in ANA before settling in. If the Rangers keep Klein and find a right fit or two. Move Staal. Then the defense can get the job done.

IMO we see some forwards traded for some skaters on the backend.

 

[GAGLine]

I was referring to the addition of Tanner Glass, which has caused the decline of the 4th line since his arrival, as well as this coach's insistence upon playing him, even though every metric shows the Rangers are an inferior team when he's on the ice.

Opposite side of the same coin. Tanner Glass isn't considered depth by anyone's definition.

 

[Fitzy]

They need Honka and someone who can slot next to McDonagh. Re-vamping the defense is going to take some work. You need to move out Staal and Girardi, upgrade Klein, integrate Skjei and McIlrath, and add another puck-mover into the right side.

Skjei played on the right with McDonagh part of the series vs the Penguins. I wouldn't be surprised if that continued.

 

[bernmeister]

Hayes needs to be with a fast guy, and a defensively responsible guy.

if Vesey is willing to consider top 9, not just top 6, Grabner is a good fit for Hayes w/JV on RW. Which line this would actually be would depend on actual roster pending likely additional moves. Good to experiment w/getting more production from Grabner early on. Hayes has to focus first on his overall game, then fine tune his d still more. But he is getting there, IMO.

But I kinda did , months ago I expected us to be the favorite, and not to toot my own horn, but who else besides old BN mentioned the multiple connectionds his father had with Ranger brass ?

Which is why I said B13 gets a pass here!

You mean... it wasn't ....
SANTA?

 

[Mikos87]

Defenseman Targets that I'd like to see the Rangers go after:

Dumba- Could be an easy trade acquisition. MIN needs forward depth.. cheap forward depth at that too. Dumba wasn't a favorite by management there, they relied on him living up to his draft status and he hasn't. He's shown flashes, but in many ways he's a new age Ed Jovonovski. The physical tools are alluring, but the decision making is not elite.

Imagine if Dion Phaneuf was properly slotted in his career, what player does he become? I believe we get a chance to see that with Matt Dumba in the Right circumstances.

Honka- He's young and has had a unique path to the NHL, DAL could be counting on this kid to take the leap soon. Nill's known for his Scandanavian scouting prowess. They've got another kid Lindell. Recently pushed out John Klingberg as a 5th round in their system. Jyrki Jokkipakka is an NHL player.

Needless to say, there's good pedigree surrounding him. He checks off a lot of boxes for that RH PMD that a team would want.

Fabbro- He's going to be playing behind Charlie McAvoy this year, but I think Fabbro's got a shot to be better. Poor man's Doughty is what I saw this year versus weaker competition, will be interesting to see his transition to BU. He's sturdy and smart, mature for an 18 year-old, but now he'll get a chance to get ripped.

He's a complete two way threat in the making imo. Would require a premium in an acquisition. 2-3 years away.

Kukan- CLB may surprise a few people, but their defense is young and going to be stacked. I was thinking back the AHL run, CLB stacked it's team with it's better prospects, and their defense was excellent.

Both Kukan and Werenski will make the NHL this year imo. Poor man's Hjallmarson. LD but a good one.

Marchenko- The size, and mobility show how well he can cover the ice, and we can all safely call him an NHL player. I haven't seen much of DET last year, but in the game he played in, he was good, but maybe not a guy that can face a Tyler Johnson. Plan C option.

Ryan Murphy- He's acquirable for a cheaper price perhaps because of waiver eligibility. Keep your eye on this one as the Rangers have liked him since his OHL days. He's were McIlrath was last year for the Canes in some ways, and CAR rushed him early.

Murphy was a guy that needed to prove it in the AHL consistently before being brought up. He's been yo-yoed for a few years now, and the same flaws exist.

Upside with him is very high, but he's not a guy that can defend against a top 6. Is he more than the broken down version of Mike Green is a valid question mark at this stage. Still that's an NHLer that fills a whole in the Rangers.

Can Skate very well. Hands are filthy too.

Montour- Most unique prospect in hockey in terms of his development path right now IMO. He's played well at every level. Dominated AHL competition two straight years when you compare that to his age group.

Let's see how he does this year, he's got some competition ahead of him. Would also require a premium to acquire.

Theodore- Star in the making IMO. Outstanding skater, puck handler, and decision maker. Will be a 40-50 PT PMD that can play in anyone's top 4. Can also QB the PP. Very high hockey IQ. Physically immature yet still looked very good in the NHL.

 

[Revel]

He was injured dude

Not sure why he sat him, though. Was it because he knew about his hips and wanted to rest him...or was it because his production had fallen off a cliff.

 

[BLONG7]

Vesey Hayes Buch sounds like a dynamic, albeit unproven third line

Did his agent negotiate top 6 forward status?? Wasn't that his agent, who drove that bus during the interview process?

 

[GAGLine]

Did his agent negotiate top 6 forward status?? Wasn't that his agent, who drove that bus during the interview process?

One of the rumors was that Vesey wanted top 6 minutes, but it's anyone's guess as to what was actually promised. I doubt Gorton promised him top 6 minutes. More likely, he showed that we have an open spot for him and that if he plays well, he could earn more time.

Getting top 6 minutes means more money, as that is one of the performance bonus categories. Hayes did not get top 6 minutes in either of the last 2 years, so I doubt that Vesey will this year, but AV goes with a more balanced approach. Vesey will still get a fair amount of time, and will spend time playing in the top 6, even if his total ice time per game or for the year is not in the top 6.

 

[TheTimTamSlammerMan]

Never thought from the start of the rumors of him not signing in Nashville that he would sign with the Rangers.

 

[Kovalev27]

You redo that draft and Vesey is absolutely a first round pick. Definitely consider it like a free first round pick

 

[Mike in Houston]

Where was ol' Brooks on all this? Looks like he was left out in the cold on this one.

 

[Kovalev27]

As a matter of fact that 2012 third round looks better than the first we basically get Skjei and Vesey out of that draft now. Both first round talents easily

 

[Inferno]

Regarding the defense...go get me ryan ellis

 

[HFBS]

Kevin Hayes played a huge role.

Like to see him play a huge on ice role.