Played C on a line with Johnny Gaudreau at WJC. Really good hockey player. Nothing flashy. But no weaknesses really.
I came away impressed.
This guy is lighting it up and you don't hear much about him. I haven't seen a thread about him. Ranks 1st in PPG for all NCAA players as a Junior.
Just how good is he?
I've personally attended ~5 games Vesey has played in over the last year or two. I'm no scout, but Vesey was clearly the best player on the ice in the Harvard-Cornell game several weeks ago. Among other things, he just seems to be both mentally and physically quicker than his ECAC opponents or his teammates.
When he was drafted, there were some lofty comparisons to Jamie Benn.
Does he play a similar game to Benn and what are his strengths and weaknesses? Is he a good two-way player?
What are the chances he leaves Harvard early?
I think his game is unlike Benns. He's got more playmaking skill and better vision, while Benn has a better shot and is more physical. Vesey is a better natural skater. He's a decent two way player but I think he's not at the NHL level yet but probably needs to leave the NCAA's to work on that (which is typical of most players leaving juniors or NCAA's. )
However I don't see him leaving early. He can stay another year and take a real shot at the Hobey Baker and it won't hurt his professional opportunities at all. He may even be ready at that point for a jump straight to the NHL.
Im shocked there is no talk of this kid on here. An UNREAL prospect. IMO he will win Hobey Baker this year(yes I believe he will win it instead of Eichel!!). It's extremely impressive what he is doing on a team with nobody else significant at all. Single handily bringing his team close to a NCAA title. The Preds have a complete stud here
It's extremely impressive what he is doing on a team with nobody else significant at all. Single handily bringing his team close to a NCAA title.
Bob McKenzie posted an article this morning that basically suggests that the Predators would consider putting him in the lineup THIS season if he were willing to potentially forego his senior year. Some other interesting blurbs about his stature among other GMs as a "top prospect."
The only historical precedent I can really think of is Craig Smith. He finished his sophomore year at Wisconsin and it was pretty clear that he had nothing more to do there..but for educational purposes, he wanted to stay for at least one more year..the Predators essentially promised him that he would skip the AHL and go right into the lineup, which is how it unfolded.
Not too many people in the world can say they have a Degree from Harvard... unfortunately I'd imagine he will stay next season and finish off his degree and then sign a contract the second after he's done school