The problem is that your assuming that Vesey is guaranteed to be a difference maker and is going to make any team better which may or may not be true. At this point we really have no clue if he's going to be a 25g-60pt top 6 player or an average bottom 6 tweener. I have no problem with them making a pitch for Vesey but if that pitch involves anything more than an opportunity to earn a spot then they're making a mistake in my eyes. If another team is willing to guarantee him a roster spot and a role in the top 6 then God bless them, right now the Pens don't need to take that type of risk.
- jaydogg1974

He has to earn it but at the same time, he just has to beat out Connor Sheary or a 36 year old Chris Kunitz and you've got a top 6 spot.

The problem is that your assuming that Vesey is guaranteed to be a difference maker and is going to make any team better which may or may not be true. At this point we really have no clue if he's going to be a 25g-60pt top 6 player or an average bottom 6 tweener. I have no problem with them making a pitch for Vesey but if that pitch involves anything more than an opportunity to earn a spot then they're making a mistake in my eyes. If another team is willing to guarantee him a roster spot and a role in the top 6 then God bless them, right now the Pens don't need to take that type of risk.
- jaydogg1974

which is why I wrote "hopefully good"

If Scott Hartnell is bought out he would be worth trying to sign to a fair deal. He would be a much better top six wing option than whats available to us now. I have spoken with guys who have been around Hartnell in training camp and pre season and they all say he is actually a great guy and really has no ego. He just plays to piss people off.
- Grinder47

No, shouldn't be under consideration

It seems like Vesey is the furthest thing from the old mans mind. If he busts then Rutherford looks smart. Pirri and his potential 25-30 goals and 60 points are still out there for a one year contract at about 900 grand.
- Dcoms

I would rather have Pirri than Vesey. Think that kid is going to bust, seriously. Those who pull the stunt he did, tend to do so because expectations will be so high.

He has to earn it but at the same time, he just has to beat out Connor Sheary or a 36 year old Chris Kunitz and you've got a top 6 spot.
- YouMeAndDupuis9

He also has Scott Wilson, Bryan Rust and the rest of the young guys like Simon & Geuntzel to compete with on the organizational depth chart. I think it's safe to assume that Kunitz's role isn't in jeopardy but that leaves 2-4 guys competing for 1 spot. As I said, they should absolutely make a pitch to him but that pitch should begin and end with an opportunity to compete with the other young players in the organization for playing time.

He also has Scott Wilson, Bryan Rust and the rest of the young guys like Simon & Geuntzel to compete with on the organizational depth chart. I think it's safe to assume that Kunitz's role isn't in jeopardy but that leaves 2-4 guys competing for 1 spot. As I said, they should absolutely make a pitch to him but that pitch should begin and end with an opportunity to compete with the other young players in the organization for playing time.
- jaydogg1974

I'm sure they've evaluated him and know if he has a better shot then those guys. If they determined he can jump right in I'll assume that'll be the pitch. Honesty in this competition is noble but won't land you the kid that many covet.

Yeah I actually think Vesey is going to be good NHLer even though this media circus is outrageous and he's being completely overhyped, by no means gift him a spot. I think that's why Chicago is a favorite and we're fringe. Chicago legitimately has no one where as we have guys who are just not ideal.
- Victoro311

I tend to agree but I think there's going to be more of a learning curve than most seem to assume. I think Vesey will be a solid NHL player but I don't think he will be a big contributor early and even though I believe whoever signs him will gift him a top 6 role day 1, I feel his best fit would be similar to how Saad was used early playing primarily a 3rd line role with some pp time and spot shifts in the top 6. I think the team that signs him is going to be disappointed with his year 1 production in a top 6 role.

I'm sure they've evaluated him and know if he has a better shot then those guys. If they determined he can jump right in I'll assume that'll be the pitch. Honesty in this competition is noble but won't land you the kid that many covet.
- dbell646

They also evaluated Plotnikov and thought he would be able to slot into a top 6 role on Malkin's wing. Evaluation can only get you so far and the reality you realize after a player actually joins the team can often be very different than the evaluation, which is why I don't like the idea of promising roles before a player actually takes the ice with the team.

They also evaluated Plotnikov and thought he would be able to slot into a top 6 role on Malkin's wing. Evaluation can only get you so far and the reality you realize after a player actually joins the team can often be very different than the evaluation, which is why I don't like the idea of promising roles before a player actually takes the ice with the team.
- jaydogg1974

Plotnikov was never considered a good bet top 6 guy. He was a project all the way. I think management hoped he would be a top 6 guy but he wasn't a heavily recruited guy. More like a free asset that maybe you hit on. Completely different league than panarin or vesey.

Vesey is a good bit. Sometimes you have to trust the wisdom of crowds. And the crowd is saying he's a significant asset and a good bet to be a top 6 guy this year.