There have been absolutely no suggestion that Ottawa is even in the running, but could GM Pierre Dorion make his first really big splash in the position by swooping in and nabbing the top free agent that is left out there?

Vesey, the reigning Hobey Baker winner whose rights are currently owned by the Buffalo Sabres, has stated that he will test free agency on August 15th, the day he is free to sign with any team based on his inability to come to terms with the Predators (who then traded his rights to the Sabres) and his finishing his 4 year college career. He has stated he has a short list, but it has not been publicized (that I have seen difinitively). The rumored front-runners are the Sabres (he is good friends with Jack Eichel), the Leafs (his dad works in the front office and they also drafted his brother) and the Bruins (he is a Boston kid who played his college hockey at Harvard.

He has also stated he wants to stay around the Northeast, and will look at depth charts to see where he might fit.

He is a left winger.

Ottawa has a gaping hole on the left side, and depending on where you slot Hoffman (whose status is still in doubt) either the 1st or 2nd line. The chances of playing with Turris or Zibanejad might not be as sexy a choice as lining up alongside Eichel or Auston Matthews, but Ottawa can certainly offer him the opportunity to earn a first line spot right out of college, and the fact is that he will have to sign a 2 year entry level contract which fits Ottawa's budget.

It is a pipe dream, and it is likely just wishful thinking on my part, but by all accounts Vesey is NHL top 6 ready and the Senators haven't yet made the move to add depth at the position either to upgrade what they have now or to add some Clarke MacArthur insurance.

In all likelihood he will end up somewhere in the Atlantic Division, and I am fully aware that the Senators would be an underdog in the pursuit, but it would be nice to see Dorion put on a full court press (or at least throw his hat in the ring) to salvage what has been a pretty disappointing free agent season to date for the Senators.

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