On Jimmy Vesey …
Ryan Rishaug: Jimmy Vesey’s camp was having some last minute contract talks with the Buffalo Sabres. He’s still likely to go to free agency, but the Sabres are still in the mix.
Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News: Vesey can begin talking to teams after 12:01 am on Tuesday, and he’s expected to talk with at least six teams.
The Sabres are still in the mix along with the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Sabres have maintained contact with Vesey’s camp over the past seven weeks. The Blackhawks have scouted his summer league games. Early speculation was that he’d sign with his hometown Bruins or with the Maple Leafs where his dad is a scout.
“I think there’s a lot of things out there that either aren’t true or people are just searching to say things. We’re still talking with Buffalo, who will be part of this process once free agency happens, if it happens, which I assume is going to happen,” Vesey’s agent Peter Fish told Yahoo! Sports over the weekend. “Jimmy wanted to go to free agency all along. He wanted to see it through and, so Buffalo has always been a team that has interested him, but he wants to compare with a few other teams once it happens.”
If the Sabres are able to land Vesey, they would likely then look to move Evander Kane. The Vancouver Canucks could be interested in Kane. If the Sabres aren’t able to sign Vesey, they will likely keep Kane.
The Sabres still need to sign RFAs Rasmus Ristolainen and Zemgus Girgensons.
Eklund of Hockey Buzz: Vesey is a thinker and loves to gather information. He has lots of alliances through friends and family.
Hearing that his mom would like him to play in Boston and that he loves Boston.
He is close with Jack Eichel and they’ve played together since they were kids. The Sabres have a good shot at signing him.
The Blackhawks are interesting and a phone call from Patrick Kane and/or Jonathan Toews could help sway someone quickly.
The Devils could offer top-line minutes and New Jersey is fairly close to Boston. Would have less pressure playing there compared to some markets.
The Flyers and Canadiens will also be interested, but may not be a good fit.