Highly Touted NCAA Prospect Jimmy Vesey To Become UFA in August

After months of speculation, the plot has officially thickened in regards to oft-speculated about prospect Jimmy Vesey. The former Nashville Predators prospect has decided to opt for unrestricted free agency in August, making him available to the other 29 teams in the National Hockey League.

For those unsure what this has to do with the Leafs, the team has been tied to Vesey’s situation for months. Toronto drafted his brother Nolan with a sixth round pick in 2014 and hired his father Jim Sr. before the season started. While this situation doesn’t provide any sort of guarantees in terms of what Jimmy will do, the connection appears to be very obvious.

The 22-year-old has spent the past four seasons playing for Harvard University in the ECAC, notching 144 points in 128 games. Vesey was a finalist for the Hobey Baker award in 2014/15 and will be once again this season; whether he wins it is anybody’s guess, but if he were to, it would be the icing on the cake in an NCAA career that has been littered with trophies and accolades. Outside of the college game, Vesey was a member of the Gold Medal-winning 2013 World Junior Team USA, and also won a Bronze with the American Men’s team at last year’s World Championships. The 6’1 left winger is seen as a creative playmaker who is able to score and be physical in situations that require it.

Regardless of which team he decides to go with, August 15th can’t come soon enough for Vesey.