In less than 24 hours, the race to sign Jimmy Vesey will officially commence.
Alongside the Sabres, the Blackhawks, Bruins, Devils, Flyers, Leafs and Rangers are all expected to make a push to sign the coveted winger.
Reports out of Boston indicate the teams on Vesey’s shortlist will be invited to a private location in Boston to make their pitches.
With Vesey having ties to both Boston and Toronto, the two clubs have appeared to be the leading candidates since this process began. However, New Jersey is also rumored to be a strong contestant in the sweepstakes.
Since the get-go, Vesey has made it known the Bruins are a team he’d love to play for. He confirmed in an interview with CSN last month.
“I’ve said it all along that Boston is definitely on my list of teams that I’d like to talk to,” said Vesey. “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. 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 favourite 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.” –Jimmy Vesey
It’s reported the biggest factors in Vesey’s decision are connections to organizations, his role, geographical location and the chance to win a championship.
With the deadline looming, the Sabres have upped the ante and made a final push, despite Vesey’s intentions to test the market.
#Vesey rep also tells me #Sabres are “firmly in the mix” to land the Harvard star. #VeseyWatch @WKBW
— Nick Filipowski (@NICK_WKBW) August 15, 2016
Whatever happens, keep it locked to Sabres Hockey Central for more updates.