pi2000

I hear you. So Vesey said he's going to study the talent on each NHL roster leading up to his decision. What's not clear is if he's looking for a contending team with lots of talent (where it will be harder to land a top-6 role), or if he's looking for a younger team with a hole to fill in the top 6. I assume he's going to discuss his reasoning with GMTM and Co. However, GMTM can't sit on his hands waiting for Vesey to decide. You would hope that Vesey would at least have the decency to tell GMTM if he's not interested in BUF so he can continue filling out the roster sans Vesey. That said, if Vesey likes Buffalo, but still wants to test to the UFA waters, then he's putting GMTM in a difficult position where he needs to wait until Vesey decides before pulling the trigger on an Ennis or Kane trade.... and the longer it drags out, the less chance GMTM has of pulling off such a trade... maybe he losses out on Fowler or Barrie because while he's waiting for Jimmy boy to make up his mind?

No, nothing matters at that point. mission accomplished But if we're close and improving and leaves us high and dry, like he left Poile and Co., then that's a problem. What could GMTM do to avoid it from playing out that way? Demand he sign an extension before the trade deadline? How'd that work out for NSH? Poile is no dufus GM. Well, there's nothing else they can do at that point anyway but walk away with their tails between their legs.

I'll bet they drastically reduce ticket prices, or make it free and issue refunds if they don't sell.

Chad Johnson is from Saskatoon, which isn't terribly far from Calgary, he wanted to play close to home.

I agree. I don't think you can trade away a guy like Ennis or even Kane for that matter, without Vesey in the fold (I'm speaking from the vantage point of GMTM's opinion of Vesey, not my own, haha). If Vesey signs, I think you can move one or Ennis/Kane. And if we catch lightning in a bottle with Nylander and he jumps right into the lineup, then both guys can be moved.

All this negativity! boooooo :) haha Seriously tho, if I still lived there, I'd be pissed too. Charging for dev camp scrimmage is just a dumb idea, is anybody gonna show up to this thing?

Let's pretend for a minute that lightning strikes and he signs with Buffalo. He comes in says all the right things about working hard to earn his spot, blah blah blah. Years pass, Buffalo is a legit contender with him filling a top 6 role, he's a core piece and flourishing into his 3rd-4th season in the league, jersey's are flying off the shelves. It comes time to re-sign him, he has one year left on his deal before becoming a UFA. He makes a promise to players, fans, management that he intends to re-sign with the team, but the negotiations drag on well into the spring. He says it's a just a few minor details to work out and that he'll be back next season in the blue and gold. July 1st hits, and he signs with BOS, his hometown team. GMTM needs to scramble to fill his spot, the Sabres lose a core piece and have nothing to show for it. I seem to remember another guy from the New England area who pulled this crap on the Sabres not too long ago.

http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2016/03/29/predators-jimmy-vesey-free-agency-david-poile-nhl/82368660/ Prior to the trade deadline, Vesey told Poile/Fenton that he was going to sign with them after his season was over... which affected their trade plans, as a result they kept a spot open for him instead of filling it through trade. As per Poile.... "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." The Predators remained in regular contact with Vesey, his family and his representation. Nichol corresponded with Vesey on a weekly basis, and Poile said Vesey's father, an amateur scout for the Maple Leafs, "seemed to be very much in favor of his son signing in Nashville" as recently as last week (mid-March). "After all the time and resources that we invested in Jimmy's development, we could not get a meeting with Jimmy, his family and his representatives all together," Poile said. "That’s the only thing I asked for after (March 23), and they would not accommodate us on that." It appears that Vesey reneged on his gentlemen's agreement that he was going to sign with NSH. He screwed over their trade deadline plans, then lied to the media about what he communicated to Poile..... ...as per Vesey's agent (http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/3/31/jimmy-vesey-statement-nashville/): “Nashville now claims and it has been widely reported that they were without knowledge of this possibility and that this lack of knowledge precluded the hockey club from acquiring a player at the Trade Deadline,” the statement reads. “This contention is not accurate. The Nashville Predators were informed prior to the Trade Deadline that they should conduct their business as they saw fit and that the potential of signing or not signing Jimmy Vesey should not be a factor in their decision.” So Vesey's camp is calling Poile a liar, an accusation that I believe is a fabrication to legitimize his position to wait for free agency. It's dirty pool, unprofessional, and speaks poorly for his character. He is not the type of person you want as a core piece to build a winning team. The further away this kid gets from Buffalo the better.

So you think David Poile is a liar?

Nobody is shaming him for exercising his rights under the CBA. It's his ridiculous statements about getting handed a top 6 spot with ample PP time, and already discussing second contract demands before even playing a single second of pro hockey. Saying this stuff publicly shows a lack of respect. He approach to the league reminds me of Johnny Manziel.

Just because he graduated from Harvard (being coddled by tutors) doesn't mean he's a hard-working kid willing to earn his spot. He wants his top 6 spot handed to him on a platter with guarantees of PP time and second contract value. That flies in the face of everything this team is trying to build. Not even Evander Kane (an established scorer) makes such outlandish demands. Did last year's Hobey Baker winner demand a top 6 spot? Not even close, when asked about his number last summer Eichel said he needed to make the team first. Vesey is the anti-Eichel, dont want him anywhere near the kids. Maybe Eichel already knows this about him which would explain why he's not leaning on him too hard.

Vesey needs to go play someplace where he can be coddled. BUF is a blue collar, hard working, earn your keep type of city, and the team is a reflection of that. Vesey would be a better fit in LA, ANA, or NY. If he does join BUF, I see it backfiring in a big way, setting this team back by impeding the workman like attitude a guy like Ryan O'Reilly is trying to establish in the locker room. Everything is earned, unless you're Jimmy Vesey.

Plot twist, he waits until 8/15 then signs with NSH. Murray's head explodes.

Mods complained he was too sexy, so I got him a pair of shorts a week or so ago.

There should be a rule that instead of being a UFA in August, he should've been put back into the draft.

No idea. It's on him to reinvent his game. That said, the only way I see him getting close to 20g is if he establishes himself as a net front presence on the PP, like an Andreychuk.

Good for those folks with old Stafford, Hecl, or Hurlbut jerseys.

I doubt Nilsson plays much if at all. If/When Lehner gets hurt or needs a day off, they can call up Ullmark.

sorry i think its terrible, would look nice on myspace or Geocities tho

I dont want his entitlement attitude anywhere near the Sabres locker room. Good luck Jimmy.

27g in 37 games in the A last season. Will help Roch in a big way.

I think he gets put on a 4th line with Moulson. Sort of an underdog line with guys that have something to prove. Could be fun to watch, or embarrassing.

Vanek spent some time on the island, but why talk to Stafford? Did they play team USA together at the worlds or? Stafford had 38 points last season and was a -23, I don't see the comparison.

You're right, good point about not being tied into an expensive long term contract.

Understood, fair point. Doesn't the fact that he lied to Poile bother you? It's a sign of poor character and signals potential problems down the road with negotiations, playing time, etc... Seems like a high maintenance guy which typically aren't received well in the locker room.... and being Jack's buddy, could have an impact on his development as well if he doesn't pan out. Maybe I'm just overthinking this, I hope I'm wrong about him.