The Buffalo Sabres acquired the rights to forward Jimmy Vesey from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a third-round pick (No. 76 overall) in the 2016 NHL entry draft.
Vesey, 23, completed his collegiate career at Harvard University and won the Hobey Baker Award. He registered 24 goals and 22 assists for 46 points in 33 games for the Crimson. Overall, he posted 80 goals and 64 assists for 144 points in 128 games for Harvard.
Originally selected by the Predators in the third round (No. 66 overall) in the 2012 draft, Vesey, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound forward decided not to sign with Nashville and informed the organization in March that he would elect free agency. The Predators thought they had assurances that he would sign with Nashville, but he can now sign with any team on Aug. 15.
"In our opinion, the only thing that has happened is now the Sabres have stepped into the shoes of Nashville for exclusive rights (to negotiate) until Aug. 15," said Peter Donatelli, who represents Vesey. "However, at this time, it doesn't change Jimmy Vesey's intention to become a free agent on Aug. 15."
Sabres general manager Tim Murray told TSN, "Why not us? Why not give it a shot? We have a spot in our top six for him. We had four third-round picks."
Buffalo hadn't previously been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Vesey. Vesey's father is an amateur scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs, leading to speculation he could sign there or with his hometown Boston Bruins. He grew up in the Boston suburbs.
But playing in Buffalo does make sense for the prospect. He's close friends with fellow Massachusetts native Jack Eichel, who completed his rookie season with the Sabres in 2015-16. The two played together on Team USA at last year's World Championships, and are represented by the same agency.
Asked in April what Eichel would tell Vesey about playing for the Sabres, Eichel said: "It's a great future here. It's a great city to play in. It's a great team to be a part of. We have a young group that's headed in the right direction. It's definitely a hockey city. People care about you here. People would love to have you and it's a great place to play."
Vesey would be a top-six forward for Buffalo if the Sabres can sign him.