I disagree on the free asset part of it. He may not be a negative cap hit which would be awesome, but that's still pretty free. A third round pick that turns into a good prospect is someone you will sign to an entry-level contract. Someone you didn't have to spend a pick to get or time to develop, that is valuable for a team. Not like he was going to get more money by basically seeing what his options were, he just got to pick where he wanted to work. Contract limits are worth consideration, but you can free spots up if needed and a half decent prospect is still good use of one of those spots.

I agree the hype was over the top because it is the dead part of summer and there is nothing else. He will be a decent addition for the Rangers, but probably not going to blow the NHL away. We'll see what he turns into long term.

I think if you can get a guy like that it is worth taking the time to go after him. Unless you are Buffalo, didn't need to expend a pick and have the chance to add to your talent pool. Save your picks for other guys you can draft into the organization and give your team more options with more talent. People probably shouldn't go nuts though when these guys are available. Just be reasonable in your efforts.

I think he will be a solid player. I am not sold he will be top shelf, but I think he will be a guy who adds solid depth to a team with a higher ceiling.

I think you are just cntinuing the hype, but in the opposite way. That is the tendency after all with hype-- to buy in on one end of the spectrum.

Your so called dinosaur way of thinking I do not agree with. If you are a team bereft of organizational depth signings like these help replenish the cupboard. As with all prospects you try to shine a light into the future and we have more powerful lights now, but you never bring enough light to see the future with certainty.

So I will say you are wrong and a little bit correct, though self-serving.

15 games in New York, 2 seasons in Hartford as a middle six forward and then off to Germany for the rest of his career.

Too me, it was well worth the cost of the third round pick to get to be first at the table, aggressive and forward thinking is important when trying to build up depth in an organization. Murray handled the situation with great diplomacy when he stated "I was able to make my pitch, He owes me nothing" he played out his 4 years and received a degree from a very prestigious institute and earned the right to make this decision. It will be interesting to watch how this all plays out, He does have a certain skill level, but how that translates to the NHL is the question.

15 games in New York, 2 seasons in Hartford as a middle six forward and then off to Germany for the rest of his career.
- Norm.Peterson

The hype was created by media. Like has been said already, nothing else going on right now. Yes, you are wrong though. I'm going to guess that the GM's and scouts know more than bloggers and fans. There was serious attempts to sign this kid and to all the fans whose teams didn't get him, too bad. You're all just hating on the kid cause you lost out

free asset. probably develops into a 20g/50pt 2nd liner

just gonna ignore Veseys 32g/58pt in 37 game season as a 21 year old?
1.57 ppg put him closer to Eichel (1.78) than Leblanc (1.19)
that would pretty much tear apart your argument though, wouldnt it?
- GardinerExpress

You're hilarious guy...

First off, I never actually made any kind of an argument. Just stated facts comparing past Hobey Baker winners point production before going pro. Closest comparable to Vesey in those regards is Leblanc, who's playing over in Germany. Pointing to his previous, more productive season doesn't change those facts.

Second, so you're implicitly pointing out the fact that Vesey regressed significantly in his final year. Why did he regress? Did he receive added responsibility playing against opponents top lines and couldn't repeat the previous year's success? I wouldn't know because I don't watch college hockey but pointing out regression doesn't look good any way you slice it.

Third, you want to compare Eichel to Vesey? Instead of picking an arbitrary season that supports your "argument" (that Vesey "develops into a 20g/50pt 2nd liner", which is pretty much what Eichel was last season in BUF), how about you compare their 1st seasons of college hockey? Eichel = 71pts/40gp/1.775ppg. Vesey = 18pts/21gp/0.857. LeBlanc 15pts/38gp/.394ppg. Closer to LeBlanc in that comparison I'd say, tho Vesey obviously much better in his first season (tho LeBlanc never regressed like Vesey did in his final season).

So you think Vesey gets close to the point production that Eichel got last season or is it that that's what he ultimately develops into at his peak? Either way, your "argument" is garbage in that you have no evidence to support it. More likely projection, based off of everything that I've read and the stats I've analyzed, is a middling winger hitting around 30pts in a season. I wouldn't be surprised if he busts out and moves to Europe (where I'm sure he'll tear it up). But who knows, you and Bruiniak might be right. He's the real deal.

You're welcome for the education on how to "tear apart" an argument.

Vesey won't live up to the hype. I'd be shocked if he clears 40 points. People are saying he's a walk on top six forward, but Connor (whom is 4 years younger and completely outplayed him all of last year) isn't expected to make the Jets.

Vesey wouldn't make the Jets.