Rookie Camp will definitely throw the spotlight on Jimmy. First, the good news is, Jimmy will be in camp (at his own expense since he’s still an NCAA player). If you don’t remember the dilemma we have with Vesey, here's the skinny. We drafted him in the 3rd round of the 2012 draft. He elected to play at Harvard. His stock has risen since 2012 and is now considered an elite prospect. In his junior year, he led Harvard with 32 goals and 58 points in 37 games. Poile was ready to sign him and put him in the line-up for the playoffs in April after his junior Harvard season was over. Instead, Jimmy decided to stay for his senior year and get his degree.
Jimmy said:
“Harvard is the best school in the world with a great alumni network, so the degree is really invaluable. Ultimately, I know my hockey career isn’t going to last forever. I’m definitely going to play as long as I can, but I wanted to solidify my future after hockey.” He continued, “Additionally, my teammates and I firmly believe that we have the potential to make a run at the national championship next year.”
Poile said:
"We've been in contact with his family through his mom and his dad and family representative. We're just going to give them the time. We've told them what we think of their son and how he is as a hockey player. It's their decision as to whether this is the right time for him. We would never tell a player to leave school."
Assuming Vesey plays his senior year, Poile has until August 15, 2016 to sign him. “Team Vesey” consists of Jimmy and his Dad, Jimmy Sr., who played 7 years in the NHL. Team Vesey is positioning Jimmy to have all the cards next year. He plays his senior year, hopefully propelling Harvard to an NCAA Championship, maybe a Hobey Baker in the trophy case, a gold-plated Harvard degree, and then either leverage huge bucks from Poile to sign or decide to control which team he plays for by waiting until after Aug. 15th.
The Preds have a few things going for them. One is the 4 year relationship. All the Development Camps and contact with the organization. Poile has been respectful and nice but as we learned with Suter, that and $0.75 gets you a coke out of the vending machine. A more aggressive chip the Preds can play is instant playoff experience. Jimmy’s season will end sometime late March, early April. NHL Playoffs begin mid-April. Just like this past year, if the Preds are in the playoffs, Poile can sign him and put him right on the 3rd line with a chance for the Cup.
The Preds have a few things going against them. The biggest is lack of control. Jimmy just needs to wait until Aug. 15th, and become a free agent, ensuring max $$ and choice of team/city, and be ready for the 2016-2017 season. Preds can’t match media markets or NHL lineage. The Wings, Hawks and Bruins all offer Original Six lineage which huge market exposure, something his Dad knows well. You have to think they will favor the bigger markets, especially with his Boston roots.
You can almost close your eyes and see our glad-handing, noble, respectful GM getting the short end of the hockey stick again. Imagine the kind words from Vesey as he thanks the Preds for the development and the relationship but the (fill in the blank) was a better choice for me and my family.
So we’re left with our final secret weapon. During the Development Camp, some honorable Nashville co-ed needs to get Jimmy’s attention and show him …….. the town. We need a love interest at Belmont or Vandy to draw Jimmy to Nashville. Tell you what, if an enterprising college female is willing to give this a go, I’m sure Mike Fisher could arrange a couples night out with him and Carrie.
You think Poile thinks this way???? I doubt it. That’s why we’ll be left at the alter again.