|
Happy Vesey Eve, Eve.... My Educated Guess/Inconclusive Conclusion.... |
|
|
|
|
|
Finally. In just a few hours, Monday Night Midnight Eastern time, teams can officially START talk to Jimmy Vesey. And then will come the decision making.
So, since no one except perhaps Vesey himself really know ANYTHING about what he is thinking, here are my thoughts based on talking to:
* Several teams about Vesey
* People who have known Vesey for years
* What the Predators learned about his M.O. over a year of talking to him and his family...
* People with the USA Hockey Program...
* Talking to a Ukrainian fortune teller lady named "Monique" on the Ocean City Boardwalk last night.
Here is some of what I have learned....
Throughout this process Jimmy Vesey has shown many times that he loves to gather information. He also is very aware of entangling alliances and doesn't want to make enemies. He was so polite with Nashville they truly believed he would sign there...and I don't think he didn't consider it seriously.
Many ruled out Nashville from the start and felt there was no chance. When he didn't sign there they all could lay claim to how "right" they were. Think of it this way. If you are considering two cars as options to purchase and your friend says you'll never buy a Toyota and it turns out you don't buy a Toyota it doesn't mean that you NEVER would have bought a Toyota.. It just meant you chose another car. And you may have even REALLY considered a Toyota.
Jimmy Vesey is a thinker. The guy is a Harvard Grad. Don't say, "Well he was a star athlete and got preferential treatment." Not at Harvard. No scholarships. No preferential treatment. He had to work hard and pay as much as anyone at Harvard.
He also has a ton of alliances to think about. His Dad works for the Leafs. That comes with it a lot of alliances and obligations.. The least of which is probably, "Hey at least hear what they have to offer son." Something he couldn't have legally done until August 16th 12:00 am.
From what we keep hearing, his mom wants him in Boston. He loves Boston. If you are this close to getting a chance to hear your favorite team "woo" you why wouldn't you?
He is very tight with Jack Eichel. The two have gone to camps together since they were kids. Make no mistake about it. Buffalo has a shot. A very real shot. I know that many are saying if Vesey would have signed with the Sabres he would have signed there by now...and normally I'd agree with that reasoning. However...obligations and alliances...
The Blackhawks are intriguing. One call from Patrick Kane and/or Jonathan Toews can do a lot to a young player. If you are a Blackhawk you know you are going to be on a quality team. Things didn't go well for Vesey's close friend Kevin Hayes of in Chicago of course...But Kevin isn't Jimmy.
The Devils offer a great chance to become a #1 left winger almost immediately and be only a few hours from Boston. The great part of being a NJ Devil is that you get to experience NY without being under the same kinds of pressure that Rangers or even Islanders feel. And Ray Shero can be a very convincing guy. Taylor Hall could be his linemate..
The Flyers and Canadiens will also kick tires....I don't see either as a very good fit but things change.
So my guess?
My educated guess/ inconclusive conclusion...
I think Boston is the favorite. If for no other reason than many people close to him and the situation were telling me Boston was his long term plan for a long time now. I know some are saying that Boston is out of the running. I don't think that is the case. I honestly do believe Vesey when he says he hasn't started talking to other teams yet. He has a dad in hockey and he knows about tampering. In Nashville he went above and beyond to avoid tampering. He is a smart kid. That can't be downplayed.
Where do you think Vesey signs?
Join the Discussion:
»