Saad was really good. And got shipped out.

If he is worried about his second contract and if he will still be on the team he chooses now, Chicago is more of a question mark than other places. And with so many big cap players it will remain that way as long as they are there. So for a while.
- carcus

In 2 years, Hossa will likely be retired plus the cap will increase while the Hawks have a plethora of their top guys under contract at a constant AAV.

WIZ: how does Vesey compare to Saadfather, if at all?

No in fact they really really sucked for a long time.

But in this case, one really has nothing to do with the other.

Looking at this only from the point of view of Vesey and a second contract. My opinion, is his talents, whatever they are will be maximized better in Chicago than in Buffalo over the next two years, and thus, get a better second contract.

Could he get the same contract playing for Buffalo now? My opinion, that's more of a risk. No, I don't believe Buffalo will be a playoff team in either one of the next two years with or without Vesey, my opinion, you can disagree.

And the point about staying where he signs his ELC for his second contract, well you assumption is that Buffalo will be to a level that the Hawks are now in a couple years. Again, my opinion, but I don't see it.

He could pick Buffalo on Tuesday I guess, just doesn't make sense to me that he'd wait then sign with them when he could have for months now.
- vabeachbear

Im sure his contract would be high with padded stats fro guys like kane and toews. I never said where he is going or where he will end up. I just asked a simple question about a player wanting to be a part of a solution or ride the coat tails of someone else. No integrity with players. You make millions what ever team youre on. If youre good enough you shouldnt need to take the easy road to win a cup. Thats all i was trying to say. Jeez thought you guys would be better than toronto fans.

I dont think he wants to test free agency rather he is using the rules in place to go where he wants to go. The money is the same everywhere. Now its a matter of where he wants to play. If he wanted to be in Buffalo he would have signed.
- golfbard

Partially right. He has said he wants to hit August 15th and Buffalo knew this when trading one of three 3rd round pick. This simply was Buffalo saying we think you are important and we want to be able to present our case in full instead of of the August 15th Shotgun.

What does he gain by breaking his word by signing early in Buffalo. Nothing. In fact, it weakens his credibility. This can impact his next negotiation and more importantly that he does not mean what he says...his personal character.

Buffalo wants players who want to be The Guy that want the puck! Choosing Chicago means he wants to watch these type of players for the next two years. He's 23 and it is time for him to be The Guy and BUFFALO is The Place!

JJ sources say so ( Kane Saad ) not a chance

Im sure his contract would be high with padded stats fro guys like kane and toews. I never said where he is going or where he will end up. I just asked a simple question about a player wanting to be a part of a solution or ride the coat tails of someone else. No integrity with players. You make millions what ever team youre on. If youre good enough you shouldnt need to take the easy road to win a cup. Thats all i was trying to say. Jeez thought you guys would be better than toronto fans.
- Doug50

Now that's a really, really low blow, don't think I said anything to get that kind of shot from you. Were i come from, those are fightin' words.

On a serious note, I would also argue unless the Hawks can get another surprise line Panarin, in their group of F's this coming year, weather it be one of their own taking the next step (Schmaltz, Motte, Hartman, Hinostroza), someone college FA (Vesey), Swedes they sign (Lundberg), or a Vet who hasn't signed anywhere yet (Hudler, Vermette, etc), they won't win the cup.

So you could say Vesey wouldn't be riding the coat tails of players, rather he would be an integral piece. You could even argue they need two of the above to really step up.

His best bet should be Chicago or Pittsburgh, but watch San Jose come in,out of nowhere and he plays with Thorton!

His best bet should be Chicago or Pittsburgh, but watch San Jose come in,out of nowhere and he plays with Thorton!

Bishop is always injured, and one of these times, that hamstring is going to get ripped off the bone.

MAF, well, not much I can add to that other than he is MAF

I wouldn't be worried about those two causing any issues with moving CC to a team who wants a solid top of the league Goalie.
- vabeachbear

I'm on record as saying Crow should be the #1 target of any club looking for a goalie. Stats to prove it, cups and a friendly 6 mil per through 19/20.

But he has to agree to a team to be moved to. Bishop has all the cred Crow does and has started 63, 62 and 61 games the last 3 seasons. He's not injury prone as those stats attest and it won't cost a thing to sign him as a UFA. MAF is a plus 920 SPG the last 3 years, a very modified no move clause, and has won a cup but IMO his concussions should be a concern (I think the Pens keep him this year and he's in Vegas next year).

Add Mason, Nuevirth, Elliot will be UFA's, NYI has a 3 headed monster, Hellybuck will take over for Pavelic, TOR no longer in need of a goalie, Panthers with a 1 and 1a.

My point is to move Crow he has to agree, it will cost that team something, there are solid options available and less places in need for the number of goalies available.

Partially right. He has said he wants to hit August 15th and Buffalo knew this when trading one of three 3rd round pick. This simply was Buffalo saying we think you are important and we want to be able to present our case in full instead of of the August 15th Shotgun.

What does he gain by breaking his word by signing early in Buffalo. Nothing. In fact, it weakens his credibility. This can impact his next negotiation and more importantly that he does not mean what he says...his personal character.

Buffalo wants players who want to be The Guy that want the puck! Choosing Chicago means he wants to watch these type of players for the next two years. He's 23 and it is time for him to be The Guy and BUFFALO is The Place!
- CrossBarDown

Wow, man you are stretching here. The kid's credibility is shattered cuz he signs with BUF a month ago and he's yet to play one minute of pro hockey but it's his time to be The Guy?

Partially right. He has said he wants to hit August 15th and Buffalo knew this when trading one of three 3rd round pick. This simply was Buffalo saying we think you are important and we want to be able to present our case in full instead of of the August 15th Shotgun.

What does he gain by breaking his word by signing early in Buffalo. Nothing. In fact, it weakens his credibility. This can impact his next negotiation and more importantly that he does not mean what he says...his personal character.

Buffalo wants players who want to be The Guy that want the puck! Choosing Chicago means he wants to watch these type of players for the next two years. He's 23 and it is time for him to be The Guy and BUFFALO is The Place!
- CrossBarDown

The evidence proves otherwise. Panarin did pretty well for himself last season.

Now that's a really, really low blow, don't think I said anything to get that kind of shot from you. Were i come from, those are fightin' words.

On a serious note, I would also argue unless the Hawks can get another surprise line Panarin, in their group of F's this coming year, weather it be one of their own taking the next step (Schmaltz, Motte, Hartman, Hinostroza), someone college FA (Vesey), Swedes they sign (Lundberg), or a Vet who hasn't signed anywhere yet (Hudler, Vermette, etc), they won't win the cup.

So you could say Vesey wouldn't be riding the coat tails of players, rather he would be an integral piece. You could even argue they need two of the above to really step up.
- vabeachbear

Ok sorry for that toronto dig. Lol

WE know one thing:

He and his represenatives and your little wunderkind were not compelling enough to draw him to Buffalo since the draft...so you can sour grapes all you want.

a) He either is holding back from signing in Buffalo to avoid the Boston neighborhood backlash, or

b) The Buffalo situation is simply NOT illed with enough rinbows and unicorns and REAL good players to warrant him signing today or last week to be part of the group. I am not sure Cheerios, buffalo wings, Five Points Bakery, and Ted's unsteamed hot dogs (with catsup on them-yuk!), and sponge candy and a possibilty in the next ten years he see's some playoff games is enough.
It has't wporked so far, Mr. Sour Grapes.
- wiz1901

Don't forget Salvatore's italian garden by the airport

Well then thankfully Eichel doesn't have his druthers
- mattmoulson

...and the Boston fans are not whining because the universal entry draft sent him to Buffalo b/c it works that way...and that was my rude way of addressing Crossbar's comment of Chicago's success thanks to "Buffalo's" Patty Kane.

Agreed, but all of those moved had little to no say so where they were going when the Hawks moved them. That's where the situation is different with Vesey, he has leverage right now but loses it once he signs with ANYONE (ELC then RFA). My guess is he wants the best of all worlds. He wants to play with a good/great team, have a chance at top 6 minutes, win and then be paid in a city he wants to be long term.

If that's the Hawks they need to show him a path where he can be paid when the time comes, if he's the goods.
- Mr Ricochet

And even if the 'Hawks cannot afford him after his ELC, they will trade his RFA rights for as much as they can get for said rights. That's later, and a lot can change in two seasons. For now, the 16-17 season, the 'Hawks are maximizing potential with limited financial resources.

Vesey has finished his summer league, and can pack up his belongings and move to Buffalo right now, if he wants to.

This weekend.

No waiting, no summer long negative reaction to his decision in Boston.

so if he was decided on them he would be there and the fact he isn't looks more like "nice try Buffalo, than a leaning toward that as a destination.

I am still trying to get my head around the "Vesey will be the man" comment.
So to answer
Assman22,
We got to see Brandon Saad as an USAH-NTDP prospect in competition and then as a Saginaw OHL player, and there were some striking similarities.
Remember, I clearly had reservations Saad would adjust to the faster pace and even getting to the right places. (Many of us here did.)
He did he showed excellent first two steps and learned quickly to position his stick and lean into contact.
Vesey will need to be a better body player than he ever had to be college/international play.
I think we all wondered about Saader’s ability to actually capitalize after using the speed. He fit well with his linemates and learned well from the coaching.
Vesey’s showings with the USA team were pretty good ones and even though his Harvard stats showed plenty of goals against, it is clear he shoots the puck extremely well, understands where to go to make opportunities for himself and is actually a real good board possession player.

We never seen him at this much higher level, and it easy to say he moves well, has a excellent get up as an attacker and is very smooth and able to maneuver around college players like they are pylons, it will be earnest and ability to be a strong checker in the pro game to actually hold onto a top six position, no matter which team. He’s no dummy and can climb the learning curve. He will have to play big in the big boy league, and adjust might take a lot quicker than fanboy’s calling him “the man.”around "Jimmy Vesey will be the man" where he goes to play.

Garf up to his old tricks

Writes another Vesey blog, Can't take the criticism

Actual blog comments much less than the number stated on the home page

At least JJ doesn't delete conversation, I'll give him that - Garf is soooooo weak

I hope Vesey signs with the Hawks because the Hissy Fit from Garf will be Legen, wait for it..... dary

Vesey has finished his summer league, and can pack up his belongings and move to Buffalo right now, if he wants to.

This weekend.

No waiting, no summer long negative reaction to his decision in Boston.

so if he was decided on them he would be there and the fact he isn't looks more like "nice try Buffalo, than a leaning toward that as a destination.

I am still trying to get my head around "Jimmy Vesey will be the man" where he goes to play.
So to answer
Assman22,
- wiz1901

He's got a list of teams he would like to speak with, if he already picked Chicago or any other team why would he bother meeting with all of them

I have 1 professional management friend in the NHL.

He just told me :

"The only thing for certin is that the Bruins are out. The Leafs have a legitimate shot but the Blackhawks have a lot more than a punchers chance to get it done. "

That's adorable, Buffalo fans still think they have a shot at signing Vesey.

There is a huge gaping hole at left-wing in Chicago, coincidentally next to Toews and Hossa. All he has to do is look at the film when Saad was here and see how many chances, just opportunities Saad had to score. If Saad had better hands and shot, he would of scored 70 points easy.

The NHL is points equal money and where else is he going to get this chance, maybe Pitt, Boston maybe, no way he signs in Toronto out Buffalo that org is a hot mess.

Besides wouldn't it be great to see all these hockey buzz bloggers go insane, that's what I'm really hoping for

He's got a list of teams he would like to speak with, if he already picked Chicago or any other team why would he bother meeting with all of them
- mattmoulson

Leverage. What number will he wear if he signs with Chicago?

Your contacts? BS

This is from a guy who does afternoons on ESPN Radio in New Hampshire.

Per NHL source, #JimmyVesey zeroed in on #Blackhawks & #Devils. That may change, but that's the latest on #VeseyWatch @ESPNNH #StretchRun

Your contacts? BS
- pwasil7

You Sabre guys need to get a gripe on the fact he has slipped through your grasps.

If he wanted you he would be picking you NOW this weekend.

Since he hasn't, you are simply standing in the middle of the bridemaids, hoping, by luck to catch the bouquet.

Is anyone concerned that a guy who hasn't skated in the NHL yet is already worrying about his 2nd contract?

And even if the 'Hawks cannot afford him after his ELC, they will trade his RFA rights for as much as they can get for said rights. That's later, and a lot can change in two seasons. For now, the 16-17 season, the 'Hawks are maximizing potential with limited financial resources.
- blackhawk24

The Cap will have to go up, but the fact that Hossa starts getting ONE MILLION a year (from this year's four million) means that is cash towards invectives "I believe."