The Jimmy Vesey fiasco has been front and center throughout the offseason, and more rumors are starting to circulate.
According to sources close to CSN New England’s Joe Haggerty, the Boston Bruins, who were once upon a time near the top of Vesey’s team list, is no longer a favorite to land the highly coveted college free agent-to-be.
Sources: The @NHLBruins aren’t a favorite to sign free agent-to-be Jimmy Vesey. https://t.co/Ud2xpXiaFS @HackswithHaggs #Bruins
— CSN New England (@CSNNE) August 10, 2016
Haggerty wrote that Jimmy Vesey’s camp is narrowing in on three teams, none of which are his hometown Bruins. Instead, the three teams on the top of his list are the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils.
The 23-year-old forward will be able to sign with any team he chooses on August 15.
http://gty.im/504000170
Vesey played four seasons of college hockey at Harvard, capping it off with a pair of Hobey Baker finalist finishes. He took home the award following his senior campaign after netting 24 goals and 46 points in 33 games with the Crimson.
He was originally drafted by the Nashville Predators with the 66th overall pick in the third round of the 2012 NHL Draft, but he opted not to sign with the club. His negotiating rights were dealt to the Buffalo Sabres at the 2016 NHL Draft, but it looks like Buffalo won’t be able to convince him to stay there within the next five days.
Jimmy Vesey has the tools of a prolific goal scorer in the NHL, and it looks like he will be a top-six forward regardless of where he goes.