The Buffalo Sabres have acquired the rights to former Nashville Predators third round pick, Jimmy Vesey. Vesey won the 2016 Hobey Baker Award as the top player in NCAA hockey. Vesey led the Harvard Crimson with 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points in 33 games. The Sabres will give up a third round pick, 76th overall, in the 2016 NHL draft.
Buffalo Sabres Trade for Jimmy Vesey
The Predators had tried to sign Vesey following the completion of both his junior and senior seasons at Harvard. However he spurned the team and stated that it was his intention to go to unrestricted free agency. Vesey can become a free agent on August 15, 2016. The Sabres have under two months to convince the star forward to change his mind and join 2015 Hobey Baker winner Jack Eichel in Buffalo. Vesey was runner-up to Eichel for that award.
Just received from Vesey's agent: "Jimmy's intent at this time has not changed and is prepared to become a free agent on August 15." #Sabres
— Nick Filipowski (@NICK_WKBW) June 20, 2016
As mentioned in our Nashville Predators prospect review, Vesey is a top prospect.
Scouting Report by Ben Kerr
Vesey has good size, and plays a power forward game. He is a quick skater, with good acceleration and top end speed. Vesey has a powerful stride which allows him to fight through checks and drive to the front of the net. When he gets there, he has the soft hands to finish in close. He can also stand in front of the net, provide a screen and get tip-ins and rebounds. From further out, Vesey has a hard and accurate shot, that he gets off quickly. He protects the puck extremely well, with good stickhandling, and uses his body as a shield to play the cycle game. Vesey is well balanced and hard to knock off the puck or beat in a board battle.
Vesey’s playmaking ability is really coming along. One thing he can do is change speeds effectively which he uses to beat defenders wide, or slow up and create some space for a passing or shooting lane. He is a very intelligent player, who makes smart plays with the puck on his stick, and also finds ways to be dangerous without it.
Two way game
Vesey is also a good defensive player. He again shows high hockey IQ, reading plays well and breaking them up. When he creates a turnover, he is quick to find the streaking man, and start the transition game. He also knows how to get his body into shooting lanes and is not afraid to block shots. Vesey does a lot of the little things that coaches love, and he is given big responsibility on the Harvard penalty kill.
Main Photo: BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 1: Jimmy Vesey #19 of the Harvard Crimson warms up prior to NCAA hockey in the semifinals of the annual Beanpot Hockey Tournament against the Boston College Eagles at TD Garden on February 1, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Eagles won 3-2. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
