Vesey

Vesey

A lot has been made all over the internet about Jimmy Vesey’s free agency. Vesey became a free agent on Tuesday, and has met with several teams, including the Rangers. Celebrities were tweeting at Vesey to sign in New York. That’s how ridiculous this has become. It’s kind of humorous, but it may actually wind up shooting Vesey in the foot with ridiculous expectations.

Here’s the thing with Vesey: He’s not Gretzky. He’s not Crosby. He’s not Ovechkin. He’s likely a middle-six forward who at his peak could be a consistent 20-goal, 50-point player. That’s a solid NHL player, but not a top line, can’t miss guy.

With Vesey, the major selling point for all teams is that they are getting a middle six forward for $925,000 plus bonuses. The going rate for players like him on the open market is almost triple that amount. To get Vesey’s potential production at that cost is a huge win for whatever team signs him.

For the Rangers, he represents another young winger with potential, and one that gives them tremendous flexibility to make a trade from the roster to address current needs on the blue line. Signing Vesey gives them the ability to trade someone like Rick Nash to make a splash on defense.

If the Rangers land Vesey, it’s critical to keep expectations in check. He, like Pavel Buchnevich, won’t light the world on fire this coming season. It’s more than likely he will sit in the middle-six for the Rangers, perhaps as a third line winger in protected starts. He could thrive in that role, but he’s not going to score 50 goals. Let’s keep the hype in check.

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