In all honesty, I do not think this is a business decision. I don't think this kid cares about his next contract, I don't think that he gives a crap where the team projects, or who he plays with. He wants to be a Boston bruin.

He loves hockey. This kid grew up shooting pucks at a garage door in a Boston bruins Jersey. Hes a rare talent that has the opportunity to pick where he wants to play. And it's going to be Boston.

Just a feeling.
- MarkStoned

I hope he signs with the Hawks but I think it's Boston too.

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
- golfbard

Can't see why he'd pick NJ. Hall plays 1LW so Vesey is automatically stuck at 2LW with them.

Can't see why he'd pick NJ. Hall plays 1LW so Vesey is automatically stuck at 2LW with them.
- Assman22

That is not a bad spot for rookie either?

well, at least like the second coming of Brandon Saad. He's worth the risk because the potential reward is high. Put him next to 19 and 88 for a couple of years and he'll be jump-starting his NHL career. If he has the talent, he'll succeed. It'd be a great story and win-win all around.
- matt_ahrens

This^^

There's a HUGE hole at 1/2LW. It must be addressed.

I hope he signs with the Hawks but I think it's Boston too.
- EbonyRaptor

I've always thought the Hawks had a good shot and make a good spot for him and his future (assuming he's at least half as good as he's projected to be now )

For some reason, not related to anything I've read or watched, I woke up this morning and for whatever reason, I do not believe he'll sign with the Hawks either.

bummer, next man up

(btw, still think Hartman is going to surprise people this year.)

For a player being this selective about where he will go will not select the Hawks. Yes the Hawks are a contender thanks to Buffalo's Patty Kane, however, the Hawks will have to send Vessy away next year or year after because they cannot afford a contract larger than ELC. This means when he selects Chicago he could be sending himself to a market he does not want to be and can say nothing. Secondly, Hawks cannot not give him TOI, to deep. This means his stats will not be as high to pump his second contract. Lastly, he could have signed with Nashville and had a similar playoff experience as the Hawks. He doesn't want to play in the West and Cup Contender is not important as he had both in Nashville. He plays at home for the Bruins or he plays in Buffalo with his buds on a growing Team that gives him TOI in all situations and have the opportunity to play against his home team several times a year. Oh yeah, and if Boston or Buffalo, that is where he will stay as they have the cap room to keep him.
- CrossBarDown

Bolded: A lot can change in 2 years, Kreskin.

Bolded: A lot can change in 2 years, Kreskin.
- Katana777

and they certainly would never send him away after one year, that makes absolutely no sense.

http://www.hockeyprospect...vesey-plus-five-ncaaushl/

http://www.pensionplanpup...6/thoughts-on-jimmy-vesey

here are a couple of writeups on Vesey from the spring. has it been confirmed that he is free to talk to teams starting on Monday morning or is it tuesday morning? I have heard both.

Can't see why he'd pick NJ. Hall plays 1LW so Vesey is automatically stuck at 2LW with them.
- Assman22

The kid can be groomed to play centre and also already is comfortable on off handed RW.

He will listen to NJ because Fitzgerald is a family friend and the ties get him a chance.

Vesey wants to shoot the puck besides passing it.

he is gonna get to pass it most places, but in which city will he be around skilled units that dish it around and dash around in roation quickly, where he can utilize it?

Just saying..

He woudl see PP time in NJ, and the are looking for two offensive generating centres as Zajac & Henrque are more shooters, than set up pivots.

http://www.hockeyprospectus.com/prospectus-prospecting-jimmy-vesey-plus-five-ncaaushl/

http://www.pensionplanpup...6/thoughts-on-jimmy-vesey

here are a couple of writeups on Vesey from the spring.
- kmw4631

Here's one I wrote in March:

http://www.draftsite.com/...way-nhl-teams-draft?/524/

Here's one I wrote in March:

http://www.draftsite.com/...way-nhl-teams-draft?/524/
- wiz1901

Nice write up wiz.

The kid can be groomed to play centre and also already is comfortable on off handed RW.

He will listen to NJ because Fitzgerald is a family friend and the ties get him a chance.

Vesey wants to shoot the puck besides passing it.

he is gonna get to pass it most places, but in which city will he be around skilled units that dish it around and dash around in roation quickly, where he can utilize it?

Just saying..

He woudl see PP time in NJ, and the are looking for two offensive generating centres as Zajac & Henrque are more shooters, than set up pivots.
- wiz1901

Watching him play in a few of those Foxboro summer league games, he plays RW a lot, not as much as LW, but a lot. He also takes faceoffs although I've only seen him take o-zone faceoffs and only on the left side.

duplicate post

OT but this may be my last time coming to this site. had to reload this page at least 12 times before it stopped hijacking my browser. so damn frustrating.
- itsratso

You too?
I love this site and JJ's writing and perspective on the Hawks. But I am also wondering if I should continue to frequent this site and risk harm to my computer.

You too?
I love this site and JJ's writing and perspective on the Hawks. But I am also wondering if I should continue to frequent this site and risk harm to my computer.
- 67hawks

I had the same issue briefly, when I did I would go to the previous page then come back to the page I was on. Seem to work, or at times the page would freeze. Then just had to close out and come back.

Some thoughts as we countdown the 'Vesey Decision'

I give credit to the kid and his advisors for weighing their choices carefully and taking advantage of the opportunity afforded a college player by opting out of his drafted team-- some would criticize this-- and especially since old school teams were so hands on in developing their players from a young age-- if you were Canadiens property-- you became a Canadien unless they let you go-- not the other way around-- This created incredible rivalries as many of the players were playing against each other from teenage years to NHL--

So my question is --- IF Vesey chooses the Hawks--- how does this 'mercenary' type of player work into the dressing room and core of the Hawks? I don't think we have seen this type of 'mercenary' player with this core--- save the TDL moves that brought players by the Hawks choice--

I expect that Bowman and co will have vetted this very carefully as not to distract from the core and the young players who have already committed to the TEAM---

I don't know much about Vesey--- he was the captain of his team at Harvard-- power forward etc-- but I hope Bowman has really done his work on the kids psychological make up and his desire to be part of a TEAM-- not just in it for himself---

Or it could simply be that the Hawks will just view Vesey as an asset piece to use for now and move on later--- Its all developing and lots of moving parts as it evolves--

EDIT: And maybe he is just smart enough to choose a TEAM where he can be PART of the drive to a Cup--- rather than too much pressure of being 'the man' before even playing his 1st NHL game--

You too?
I love this site and JJ's writing and perspective on the Hawks. But I am also wondering if I should continue to frequent this site and risk harm to my computer.
- 67hawks

FWIW, viewing and posting is much better on my phone than laptops. It's to the point I no longer bother to call up this site on a regular computer. This post coming from my Android phone, via Xfinity wi-fi.

I just posted this over on Ek's prediction post (have a renewed hope on Vesey signing with the Hawks now that Ek picked Boston.................)

It looks like Vesey can't talk to anyone until 12:01 Tuesday morning, so the watch will continue one day longer than some had thought. From the rule book;

or (2) is in his fourth year of college and is scheduled to graduate from college at the end of his fourth year, then in the circumstances described in (1) or (2), the Club shall retain the exclusive right of negotiation for such Player's services through and including the August 15 following the date on which he ceases to be a bona fide college student.

Dater is absolutely not well respected
- Feds91Stammer

....And always has a negative slant on the Blackhawks.

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

I think the point is...He is more concerned about hitting the jackpot in his second deal-Not staying in the same city for eternity.

Saad got a mega deal because he was put in a position to succeed with top players....
That's the pitch the Hawks can make that really no one else can....

It has happened before and can again for Vesey.

That is if he is the real deal.

Some thoughts as we countdown the 'Vesey Decision'

I give credit to the kid and his advisors for weighing their choices carefully and taking advantage of the opportunity afforded a college player by opting out of his drafted team-- some would criticize this-- and especially since old school teams were so hands on in developing their players from a young age-- if you were Canadiens property-- you became a Canadien unless they let you go-- not the other way around-- This created incredible rivalries as many of the players were playing against each other from teenage years to NHL--

So my question is --- IF Vesey chooses the Hawks--- how does this 'mercenary' type of player work into the dressing room and core of the Hawks? I don't think we have seen this type of 'mercenary' player with this core--- save the TDL moves that brought players by the Hawks choice--

I expect that Bowman and co will have vetted this very carefully as not to distract from the core and the young players who have already committed to the TEAM---

I don't know much about Vesey--- he was the captain of his team at Harvard-- power forward etc-- but I hope Bowman has really done his work on the kids psychological make up and his desire to be part of a TEAM-- not just in it for himself---

Or it could simply be that the Hawks will just view Vesey as an asset piece to use for now and move on later--- Its all developing and lots of moving parts as it evolves--

EDIT: And maybe he is just smart enough to choose a TEAM where he can be PART of the drive to a Cup--- rather than too much pressure of being 'the man' before even playing his 1st NHL game--
- jb3333

What you posted is something I've thought and worried about, too. Even if we sign Vesey and he comes as advertised, how does the core, the other veterans, the youngsters, and especially the prospects busting their tail off to crack the lineup see the Vesey signing. I would guess that a prospect would be somewhat bitter that Vesey would be given a spot on a silver platter while someone like McNeill is going to get the "sorry, try again next year" treatment.

On one hand, our void is at top-6 LW and Vesey projects to be a top-6 winger while prospects like McNeill and Hartman project to be bottom-6 wingers. On the other hand, what if Vesey falls flat on his face. Does he still stay in the lineup over someone like McNeill who -- while not spectacular -- plays a safe, two-way game that is arguably deserving of a bottom-6 spot?

Vesey doesn't come off as a prima donna but you never know. Even if he does have a good head on his shoulders, it still wouldn't be a good move for team morale to just give him an automatic spot in the lineup. It's not good pressure to put on Vesey either to have others on the team bitter at him for not earning his spot on the team.

In all honesty, I do not think this is a business decision. I don't think this kid cares about his next contract, I don't think that he gives a crap where the team projects, or who he plays with. He wants to be a Boston bruin.

He loves hockey. This kid grew up shooting pucks at a garage door in a Boston bruins Jersey. Hes a rare talent that has the opportunity to pick where he wants to play. And it's going to be Boston.

Just a feeling.
- MarkStoned

Anything can happen and I agree that Boston is a strong chance given his roots. I personally feel, though, that he wouldn't have drawn this out and would've signed with the Bruins right away if it really wasn't about the business side and more about playing for the hometown team. At least that's how I would've been. If I was drafted by my hometown Blackhawks, I'd sign as fast as possible. But if I was drafted by another team and took the route that Vesey, Hayes, Schultz, etc. took by not signing with the original team that drafted me, then I would have signed with my hometown team rather than shopped around.

Then again, this "shopping around" for a team to sign with could strictly be political as far as the NHLPA goes. Find the best fit for you that maximizes your potential on the ice but also contractually in the longer term. Don't just say "no" to the team that drafted you and immediately bolt to your hometown team. That may not sit well with the NHLPA, the league front office, board of governors, team owners, GMs, etc.

http://www.hockeyprospectus.com/prospectus-prospecting-jimmy-vesey-plus-five-ncaaushl/

http://www.pensionplanpup...6/thoughts-on-jimmy-vesey

here are a couple of writeups on Vesey from the spring. has it been confirmed that he is free to talk to teams starting on Monday morning or is it tuesday morning? I have heard both.
- kmw4631

I wish I knew the day and time too. Is it 12:01am on Monday, so like in eleven hours? Is it 12:01pm on Monday, so 23 hours? Is it 12:01am on Tuesday morning, like 35 hours from now? Is it Eastern or Central? No one seems to have the definitive answer.

What you posted is something I've thought and worried about, too. Even if we sign Vesey and he comes as advertised, how does the core, the other veterans, the youngsters, and especially the prospects busting their tail off to crack the lineup see the Vesey signing. I would guess that a prospect would be somewhat bitter that Vesey would be given a spot on a silver platter while someone like McNeill is going to get the "sorry, try again next year" treatment.

On one hand, our void is at top-6 LW and Vesey projects to be a top-6 winger while prospects like McNeill and Hartman project to be bottom-6 wingers. On the other hand, what if Vesey falls flat on his face. Does he still stay in the lineup over someone like McNeill who -- while not spectacular -- plays a safe, two-way game that is arguably deserving of a bottom-6 spot?

Vesey doesn't come off as a prima donna but you never know. Even if he does have a good head on his shoulders, it still wouldn't be a good move for team morale to just give him an automatic spot in the lineup. It's not good pressure to put on Vesey either to have others on the team bitter at him for not earning his spot on the team.
- AEL_Fox

Very good post and it is an issue if someone leap frogs his way onto the team. If u notice they are careful who gets a chance in Chicago. Difference is there are no legit top 6 forwards in Rockford but I'm not certain Vesey can handle that work load right now.

For those who can't get enough Vesey...

watch this shot off the chin of a teammate for a goal.

https://twitter.com/JackM...status/711057516256481280