David Poile has seen it all in nearly 40 years as an NHL executive, so the shock and horror expressed by the Nashville Predators general manager over Harvard forward Jimmy Vesey’s decision to exercise his right to become an unrestricted free agent this August may have an underlying agenda to it.
Representatives for Jimmy Vesey today informed NSH their client will be exercising his right to unrestricted free agency on Aug. 15. #TSN
The decision go the route of NCAA products Justin Schultz, Mike Reilly and Kevin Hayes and have complete control over where to start their NHL career should hardly be a surprise to the Preds, as rumors of the Crimson forward opting for free agency have circulated since Vesey rejected Nashville’s contract offer to stay in school after his junior season.
Vesey’s camp gave Nashville a heads up last Wednesday that they were considering free agency and Poile indicated that Jim Sr. (a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs) had told head coach Peter Laviolette, assistant GM Paul Fenton and Director of Player Personnel Scott Nichol that his son was going to sign with the Preds, but the two-time Hobey Baker Award finalist chose not to do so.
“I clearly believe that Jimmy has received bad advice and bad counsel. Poile said on Monday. “A player usually goes to free agency in order to increase his leverage and to benefit financially, and that will not be the case here.”
Poile says that he will continue to try to get Vesey signed and will not trade his rights before August 15th, risking the loss of a valuable asset without compensation.
Toronto and the hometown Boston Bruins are considered the leading candidates for signing the 22-year-old and it is a distinct possibility that the Predators will file or use the threat of tampering charges to get compensation or to leverage a better return before their rights expire.
Although it will tough for Poile to prove tampering on the part of Toronto, the prominent mention of Vesey Sr. during his remarks to the media appear to be laying the groundwork for charges to be filed if the Leafs sign the young prospect.
GM Lou Lamoriello has 20 draft choices in 2016 and 2017, seven second round picks over the next three years and a growing number of prospects and has a long association with Poile through their affiliation with USA Hockey. Just as the Leafs did with Zach Hyman last summer, it would not be surprising if Toronto offered a draft pick and/or prospect to Nashville for Vesey’s rights so they would not end up empty handed.
Note : Continue to check back to my column on Hockeybuzz throughout the day for the latest Leafs updates or Follow @mikeinbuffalo on Twitter
*******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact” button at the top of the page.*******
KINDLE USERS: Please sign up for Maple Leafs Buzz, which includes a free-of-charge 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month afterwards. For more information click here.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»