Speculation: UFA Jimmy Vesey

[STL BLUES]

At 6-foot-3, and 203 pounds, Jimmy Vesey looks like he could be an immediate top-six forward for the Blues. His hometown Boston Bruins are most likely odds on favorite to land him.

With the departures of Backes, Ott, and Brouwer to free agency, the Blues have a few holes at forward. The Boston Globe cited that the Blues as a potential landing spot due to some connections between Vesey's father and members of the St. Louis front office.

Suppose you were the Blue’s GM on August 15th and you wanted this talented player. There will be no bidding war. He can only sign the maximum under the entry-level system ($925,000 base, with bonus opportunities). What are your talking points? As a GM what would you offer him to persuade him to wear a Blue Note vs. a B.

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[bleedblue1223]

We have 0 chance and have never really been rumored to be close, but tell him that he'll get a first chance to play with Fabbri and Stastny. Or with Steen-Tarasenko.

 

[Majorityof1]

Let him talk to former players. St. Louis is a place that players love to play. I don't know why exactly, but former players almost unanimously rave about their time here. We have Hull, Tkachuk and MacInnis on staff to do just that. Also, as Bleedblue said, offer him a good shot at a prime line-up slot with Fabbri and Stastny. Talk about how great Brouwer, a merely decent player did when put in that role. Playing there could give him big numbers that would increase his future earnings. Hype our last playoff run, and explain he'd be part of a strong core of young players with a good chance to win a cup, especially with him as the missing piece top 6 winger on that line. Then offer him lots and lots of bonuses. Also "accidentally" leave a briefcase full of undisclosed cash behind after speaking with him.

I think we could put a good pitch together. I don't think we'll land him. But we have stuff to offer.

 

[Stealth JD]

sure...throw him an offer (like a dozen other teams) and see what happens. not like we couldn't use the depth.

 

[STL fan in MN]

Does Vesey even play RW? He's listed as a LW.

I'd say, you'll be nit picked to death and eaten alive for every mistake in your hometown. Come here instead.

That said, he'd be nice to have as he'd be a good free asset but I'm not as high on Vesey as some others.

I'll also note that perhaps it would be a good thing if he signs with the Bruins as then perhaps they're more willing to trade one of their other forwards to us in a Shatty deal.

 

[KirkOut]

I'm all for it but I don't see how the Blues are even remotely in contention for him

 

[542365]

There's basically no chance he comes here, but I would sell him on the city, sell him on the young core that he would fit right into(the young core that has already had pretty decent success in the NHL, it's not all just "potential", guys like Tarasenko, Schwartz, Petro, Fabbri, and Parayko were the main contributors to our run to the WCF). He could jump right in playing on a line with one of the best snipers in the world, or he could pot the goals playing alongside Fabbri and Stastny.

I would also mention how so many of the Blues alumni have stuck around St. Louis for a reason. It's a great place to live and it has something for all ages. It has the party/casino/nightlife section of the city for the younger adults, as well as the quiet suburbs for raising a family.

 

[MissouriMook]

At 6-foot-3, and 203 pounds, Jimmy Vesey looks like he could be an immediate top-six forward for the Blues. His hometown Boston Bruins are most likely odds on favorite to land him.

With the departures of Backes, Ott, and Brouwer to free agency, the Blues have a few holes at forward. The Boston Globe cited that the Blues as a potential landing spot due to some connections between Vesey's father and members of the St. Louis front office.

Suppose you were the Blue’s GM on August 15th and you wanted this talented player. There will be no bidding war. He can only sign the maximum under the entry-level system ($925,000 base, with bonus opportunities). What are your talking points? As a GM what would you offer him to persuade him to wear a Blue Note vs. a B.

There is virtually zero chance we even get a sniff, but my sales pitch is simple. "I guarantee you the LW spot opposite Tarasenko unless/until you prove you don't deserve it. Think about what your next contract will look like after two 30/30 seasons."

 

[bleedblue1223]

Tarasenko got Lehtera a big pay day. All you have to do is figure out how he stayed linemates with him, and you'll be guaranteed a big pay day.

 

[KirkOut]

Tarasenko got Lehtera a big pay day. All you have to do is figure out how he stayed linemates with him, and you'll be guaranteed a big pay day.

Invent time machine+give up 3 of your prime youth years to live/play hockey in Siberia

 

[bleedblue1223]

Maybe we tell him about another great college UFA signing, HHOF Peter Sejna and all of the Blues records he set on Doug Weight's wing.

 

[PerryTurnbullfan]

Maybe we tell him about another great college UFA signing, HHOF Peter Sejna and all of the Blues records he set on Doug Weight's wing.

Or Curtis Joseph... Dad was a Blues draft pick...May as well toss yourself in the ring...Why not?

 

[Robb_K]

Does Vesey even play RW? He's listed as a LW.

I'd say, you'll be nit picked to death and eaten alive for every mistake in your hometown. Come here instead.

That said, he'd be nice to have as he'd be a good free asset but I'm not as high on Vesey as some others.

I'll also note that perhaps it would be a good thing if he signs with the Bruins as then perhaps they're more willing to trade one of their other forwards to us in a Shatty deal.

I think he'll sign with Boston, and THIS will be the only good for The Blues that will come from that. But, we know they won't trade Pasternak. So which Bruin forward might be freed up from Vesey's signing?

 

[Renard]

Let him talk to former players. St. Louis is a place that players love to play. I don't know why exactly, but former players almost unanimously rave about their time here. We have Hull, Tkachuk and MacInnis on staff to do just that. Also, as Bleedblue said, offer him a good shot at a prime line-up slot with Fabbri and Stastny. Talk about how great Brouwer, a merely decent player did when put in that role. Playing there could give him big numbers that would increase his future earnings. Hype our last playoff run, and explain he'd be part of a strong core of young players with a good chance to win a cup, especially with him as the missing piece top 6 winger on that line. Then offer him lots and lots of bonuses. Also "accidentally" leave a briefcase full of undisclosed cash behind after speaking with him.

I think we could put a good pitch together. I don't think we'll land him. But we have stuff to offer.

The players used to love the anonymity of playing here. If a guy was playing on a team in some cities, he would be immediately recognized in public and get pestered. But here, a guy like Brian Sutter could go to the grocery store and not get mobbed.

I don't know if its still the case, but that was the deal thirty years ago.

 

[MissouriMook]

I think he'll sign with Boston, and THIS will be the only good for The Blues that will come from that. But, we know they won't trade Pasternak. So which Bruin forward might be freed up from Vesey's signing?

I still don't believe that it would be anyone other than Spooner, but it might make Vatrano available. The benefit I am looking forward to is that it might make a prospect like Synyshyn available if there is less urgency to backfill their current roster with NHL ready talent the following season. Having one more duck in a row at forward would increase the possibility that they spend their best forward prospect to fix their blueline.

 

[DKH]

I think he'll sign with Boston, and THIS will be the only good for The Blues that will come from that. But, we know they won't trade Pasternak. So which Bruin forward might be freed up from Vesey's signing?

My guess is DeBrusk who I am a big fan of and watched 3 times at DC. Lot to like but he is projected as a top 6 and with Marchand and Vesey, plus Vatrano who at 21 and plays 200 foot game scored 45 goal in 78 games between Boston and Providence

Beleskey is third liner and Boston has 2 other top 10 prospects at LW

I do think they get Vesey then DeBrusk could be moved but I heard they are after LD Cam Fowler who is cheaper and younger and more years left

Zero chance Sensyshyn he's really there only RW prospect and their guy

 

[Brendonhayden]

I think he'll sign with Boston, and THIS will be the only good for The Blues that will come from that. But, we know they won't trade Pasternak. So which Bruin forward might be freed up from Vesey's signing?

backes?

 

[BA Carroll]

Why "zero" chance?

He's a UFA, right?

Given his age, there's only so much he can earn on an entry level deal, right?

The Blues are perennial contenders with, as has been mentioned, a solid core of talented young players, right?

He can sign just about anywhere he pleases.

Why would we automatically assume he wouldn't consider StL?

 

[542365]

Why "zero" chance?

He's a UFA, right?

Given his age, there's only so much he can earn on an entry level deal, right?

The Blues are perennial contenders with, as has been mentioned, a solid core of talented young players, right?

He can sign just about anywhere he pleases.

Why would we automatically assume he wouldn't consider StL?

“I’ve said it all along that Boston is definitely on my list of teams that I’d like to talk to. It’s a team that I’ve rooted for all my life, and it’s a team that I watched win the Stanley Cup in 2011,†said Vesey, who finished with 24 goals and 46 points in 33 games with the Crimson as a senior last season. “I’ll definitely be meeting with Boston in August.

“I was a huge Joe Thornton fan growing up. He wore No. 19. I wear No. 19. He was my favorite player. I got to know Torey Krug a little bit through playing with him at the world championships last year. So it would be really cool to play with Torey and put on the Bruins jersey. It’s the team that I’ve watched for my whole life.â€




Imagine you're a free agent on August 15 that every team in the league would like to sign you. The Blues come to you and make a strong pitch trying to get you to play there. They bring in Brett Hull, Al MaCinnis, Bernie Federko, Pierre Turgeon, Vladimir Tarasenko to try to get you to sign there. Imagine Tampa Bay also makes a strong pitch for you, which team are you choosing? It would be an easy choice for me, I'm going to St. Louis no questions asked. Nothing against Tampa, great place to play, but this is home. Boston is home to Jimmy Vesey. I see it as the same situation as Danny Dekeyser. He was always going to Detroit no matter what type of pitch another team put together.

Buffalo has made it interesting by trading for his rights, but I still think it's going to be Boston on August 15th. Boston has that advantage that no other team has.

 

[sbkbghockey]

I would hope DA and the Blues management at least present an offer to JV!

It's one of those low risk-high reward deals that good GMs make to get their team to the next level.

The Blues can push the angle that they're already a playoff team and cup contender (debatable) and also the fact that players love STL, the fans, etc... it's a good NHL market with enough attention for the players to feel top-notch but without the pressure of some cities like Toronto. Also the Midwest is cheaper compared to some of those other teams, so his entry level deal money goes further in STL.

DA failed to get Panarin, and it didn't sound like they pushed hard on him even after Tarasenko told the Blues that he's legit NHL player- one of those times when you should listen to your franchise player. This offseason, he needs to be more aggressive with JV with all the losses we've had to offense.

 

[DatDude44]

why does everyone say we have so many holes in our lineup? we have 7 top 6 fwds in tarasenko, lehtera, steen, schwartz, fabbri, stastny, perron...and then sobotka and berglund to round out the top 9 with upshall, jaskin, reaves, brodziak on 4th line/ healthy scratches. I don't see much room for vesey tho he'd obviously be a very nice addition but he definitely wants to play in the NHL now in atleast a decently big role so it makes zero sense for him to come here when he could go to Buffalo or toronto or boston etc...

 

[MissouriMook]

why does everyone say we have so many holes in our lineup? we have 7 top 6 fwds in tarasenko, lehtera, steen, schwartz, fabbri, stastny, perron...and then sobotka and berglund to round out the top 9 with upshall, jaskin, reaves, brodziak on 4th line/ healthy scratches. I don't see much room for vesey tho he'd obviously be a very nice addition but he definitely wants to play in the NHL now in atleast a decently big role so it makes zero sense for him to come here when he could go to Buffalo or toronto or boston etc...

I think the bolded is where you will find your objection. Many people (myself included) feel that neither Lehtera nor Perron are really Top 6 forwards on a team with Cup aspirations. That leaves you with a muddled mess of Lehtera, Perron, Berglund, Jaskin, Rattie and (maybe) Sobotka for the 3rd line. We really need a center that is better offensively than Stastny to get to the next level, but getting a Top 6 winger allowing Fabbri or Steen to move to the middle might be an acceptable Plan B.

 

[Majorityof1]

I think the bolded is where you will find your objection. Many people (myself included) feel that neither Lehtera nor Perron are really Top 6 forwards on a team with Cup aspirations. That leaves you with a muddled mess of Lehtera, Perron, Berglund, Jaskin, Rattie and (maybe) Sobotka for the 3rd line. We really need a center that is better offensively than Stastny to get to the next level, but getting a Top 6 winger allowing Fabbri or Steen to move to the middle might be an acceptable Plan B.

Agreed. Perron if he played like he did with us and Edmonton, is a borderline top 6 player. How he played the last two years, he isn't. Lehtera just flat isn't over the course of a full year.

To go further, Vesey is young, and cheap. Why turn down a top 6 player with star potential that would cost less than a million dollars? I don't care if you have 9 legitimate top 6 guys, sign Vesey and trade someone. He is young, cheap, has potential to be great, and will be cost-controlled for years after his 2 year ELC. You get all that for nothing. You don't even have to use a draft pick. It is an absolute no brainer if you can swing it.

Schwartz - Steen - Tarasenko
Vesey - Stastny - Fabbri
Berglund - Lehtera - Perron
Sobotka - Brodziak - Jaskin

is better than

Schwartz - Steen - Tarasenko
Fabbri - Stastny - Perron
Berglund - Lehtera - Sobotka
Upshall - Brodziak - Jaskin

The 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines are all better with Vesey. The addition of a solid guy in the top 6 ripples down throughout the lineup. Even if you would argue Perron is better than Vesey for this season, the lineup as a whole is better and more balanced. Sure Sobotka won't be happy on the 4th, but Sobotka doesn't seem destined to be here long-term. Better to make room for the 22 year old PWF with star potential.

 

[Linkens Mastery]

Does Vesey even play RW? He's listed as a LW.

I'd say, you'll be nit picked to death and eaten alive for every mistake in your hometown. Come here instead.

That said, he'd be nice to have as he'd be a good free asset but I'm not as high on Vesey as some others.

I'll also note that perhaps it would be a good thing if he signs with the Bruins as then perhaps they're more willing to trade one of their other forwards to us in a Shatty deal.

Fabbri plays all three forward positions. Played RW with Lehtera and Schwartz, and was on the LW due to having Brouwer on the RW. Which is why they could put Ves on a line with Fabs in Stas.But, I don't think we are a contender for Ves.

 

[sbkbghockey]

Looks like Vesey signed with NYR. At least that keeps him out of the Central Division.

Another Doug Armstrong FAIL! It doesn't sound like the Blues pushed hard for a low risk-extremely high reward. A position we could use and depth we need. There' really no reason why the Blues shouldn't have made a serious, strong attempt at signing him. In fact it looks like our neighbors up north, CHI Black Hawks were one of the teams on his shortlist of his final decision.

It's not a failure that the Blues didn't sign a free agent, there's always lots out there and they have 30 options. The failure is that the Blues/DA didn't push harder to secure what appears to be an elite player who'd be able to help the team immediately and also is a low cost to the cap. In fact, it looks like it could be a trend since the Blues didn't push hard for last years big prize, Artemi Panarin. Panarin AKA Kane2.0 is good friends with Tarasenko, who went to the Blues staff and told him how legit of a player he is. The fact the Blues weren't on Panarin's shortlist even with a chance to play with his good friend, Tarasenko shows that the Blues didn't aggressively push to sign these guys => that's a failure.