Follow me on Twitter @ToddCordell
Todd Cordell
I think Jimmy Vesey will be a useful player and interest was warranted given he's a free asset but he's been significantly overhyped as a result.
His college totals were impressive over the last couple years but he was older than most of the players he went up against and the NCAA isn't close to the caliber of the AHL, for example, where other young players have piled up points and received little recognition.
If Vesey can chip in 10-15 goals and 30+ points I think his season would be a huge success. Expecting much, if anything, more than that is probably unrealistic.
Matt Henderson
I have almost no expectations of any college free agent. I think 15-15-30 would be great for him over 80 games or so. Anything more than that should be pure gravy. Sometimes these guys get waaaaaayyyyy overhyped. He's got lots of goal scoring ability at the NCAA level, but how that transitions to the NHL where everyone is bigger/faster/better are not exactly guaranteed. I dont know what kind of PP time he's going to get or who his regular linemates will be. Expect less and be happy if he delivers more.
James Tanner
I don't really have any expectations. I'm sure he's a decent player, but there are guys in the much harder AHL putting up better numbers at the same age as he is, and no one's making a big deal about them.
If he stays in the NHL all year, isn't a possession black hole and chips in 20 or 30 points, I think you can call it a success.
That being said, to be successful relative to the hype, he'd have to break Teemu Selanne's 76 goal record, so a best case scenario is we all forget about him once there is something else to talk about and he makes the NHL and posts 30 points, which would be pretty good for a 23 year old rookie.
Adam French
Given that the Rangers are a good team and that Kevin Hayes apparently wooed him "Pretty Woman;" I would assume they are going to play on a line together. That means probably the third line if they run Stepan-Zibanejad ahead of Hayes. If past Hobey Baker winners at 22/23 are any indication, he will be starting in the AHL or overseas, however this hype train won't end. While I'm sure people think he has been promised specific ice-time and specific players to play with, I don't think Vigneault cares. He didn't with Hayes and was willing to bench/demote him despite being the last NCAA Free Agent Darling...and that's just what happens to rookies.
If he plays all 82 games, which I'm not sure he will as a rookie on a "contender" I expect
17g 12a 29p
Why? Well Oscar Lindberg joined the Rangers this past season as a rookie and a seasoned 24 year old one at that. He had six years of pro hockey under his belt and still found himself flying up and down the lineup. Vigneault is going to be expected to compete for a Stanley Cup Final appearance, whether you think that is fair or not. The Rangers have a transition team with a young forward core anchored by Nash and minutes will be shifted constantly. Will Vesey eat up minutes that Lindberg or Fast might have earned? What about Pavel Buchnevich their top prospect who has made it clear it's the N or the K? Too many variables right now to say he will be playing beside Stepan-Nash with 5 minutes of PP minutes a night.
Recent posts:
Thoughts on Sean Monahan's seven-year extension?
Top-5 defensemen 22 and under?
Top-5 wingers 21 and under?
Top-5 centers 21 and under?
Top-5 goaltenders in the NHL?
Top-5 defensemen in the NHL?
Top-5 wingers in the NHL?
Top-5 centers in the NHL?
Join the Discussion:
»