On Jimmy Vesey …
Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald: A source that is part of the Boston area college hockey community is saying that Jimmy Vesey opted to become free agent on August 15th to sign with the Bruins.
Joe McDonald: Source saying that Jimmy Vesey’s reps told the Predators days before the trade deadline that Vesey wouldn’t commit to signing with the Preds.
Luke Fox on Sportsnet: Jimmy Vesey to Predators Paul Fenton three times to face a few weeks ago:
“Yes, I’m going to sign with the Nashville Predators.”
Fenton added
“I spoke to him directly after the consolation game at the Boston Garden, outside the locker room, and asked the player three times if he was signing with us,” Fenton explained. “I said I realized he was in a tough position here, that I was asking him this, but we needed to know from a lineup standpoint and our trade deadline plans as to what he was going to do.”
The Predators are disappointed, but realize you can change your mind.
“We’re disappointed in the whole process here, that we didn’t get the player signed,” Fenton said.
“We think we were promised his services, and at the end of the day, they, like every everybody else, can change their mind in life.”
Adam Vingan of the Tennessean: Paul Fenton on Vesey and the Preds
“It was our last opportunity to change our team,” Poile said of the trade deadline. “We told him if he was going to sign with us, we were going to keep a position available for him, and he told us that he was going to sign with us.”
Chris Nichols: Pierre LeBrun on Vesey: “Every team I spoke to today has so much interest in finding out what happened, but happy that he’s not signing in Nashville.” … “I talked to one GM today, a Western Conference GM, who said he believes Jimmy Vesey would have scored 20 goals in NHL this year.”
Damien Cox: On the Vesey and Predators situation: “First of all, kid has the right to change his mind. Teams do it all the time with players.” … “Finally, the draft is a rigged deal in favour of owners. Teams have all the power. When a player breaks free of this, I say well done.” … “And before people start saying Vesey lied to Preds, perhaps it would be fair to hear from the kid. He may have an entirely different POV.”
Patrick O’Sullivan: On the Jimmy Vesey situation: “Vesey he’s done nothing wrong he’s using the CBA and his rights within it. Ya know the CBA which both teams and players signed off on.” … “it’s funny people want to jump on a college kid for using the CBA. Unless you are signed you don’t owe the team that drafted you anything.” … “final thoughts on this. Poile had 4 years to sign Vesey he didn’t get it done. GM’s use and manipulate the CBA all the time, players can too” … “If he did say anything about signing with preds he can change his mind. Teams lie to players all the time speaking from personal experience.” … “In negotiations people say and hear what they want, what fits their case. Teams lie to players all the time.”
Adam Vingan: The Predators still own Vesey’s right until August 15th, so technically they can still sign him, though it’s very unlikely.
Matthew Sekeres: Darren Dreger said that the Canucks are interested in Vesey, but adds that so is every other team.
