Im hearing a lot of that and I respectfully disagree with it. He wasn't allowed to speak to any team but Buffalo until 12:01 am on Tuesday. That gave him three full days to talk to teams (assuming decision today). In NHL free agency, free agents can begin talking with other teams on June 25. That's 5 full days before they can sign. So he's actually making a decision faster than any other free agent has to. As I see it, the kid isn't doing anything wrong. There's no prime time special on ESPN. He spoke with his teams quietly, he hasnt said anything in the press, and will make his decision hopefully today. It's a career-defining decision. It's only being talked about so much because it's mid-august and absolutely nothing else happens in hockey. Just because the media is slobbing over this guy and "sources" are saying this, then saying that, and the twitter idiots can't shut up about it doesnt mean the kid is to blame.
Hopefully he picks us. Then they can concentrate on getting Nash out of here. If the Nash for Girgensons deal is on the table, please do it Gorton.
Hate to feed into the sources game, but... Arthur Staple (twitter): Nothing final yet, but hearing it's #NYR or #CHI for or Jimmy Vesey. Tavares made a strong pitch for #Isles but they fell short, it appears. Thats the Isles beat reporter for Newsday. Verified, and usually doesnt do the baseless rumor game. At the very least, can cross one team off the list.
Prod, don't know how "quietly" he's going about this if we keep hearing of all the players the pursuing teams are sending to convince him to join. To me he's a spoiled brat who's sitting there enjoying the limelight. If he wanted to quietly do this we would not have heard anywhere near as much as we have nor tried to keep the suspense of "everyone is still in it" crap.
Didnt kevin hayes have something in his contract about not being sent to hartford when he did a couple of seasons ago? Didnt the defenseman, cant think of his name, but was an offensive defensiveman flirt with numerous teams before sertling for edmonton... Its aug and all the beat writers have nothing else better to do.
Big Daddy what's up my man. I don't remember if it was actually built into the contract but he was at the least all but guaranteed an NHL spot during the Rangers presentation, which is one of the main reasons why he came here over Chicago. Yep, Justin Shultz. And even before him we did the same dog and pony show with Matt Gilroy. This happens with a lot of FAs, I think the Vesey thing is just much bigger because (1) we found out he wasnt signing in Nashville a long time ago, so there's been a lot of build up and (2) the twitter idiots and their sources. Amen.
I get that, but again, I dont see it as his fault. He is meeting with teams and those teams are sending out the parade of players because they want him. I have a hard time believing Vesey told the Islanders that he wanted Tavares to make the pitch. The Isles, I would think, just thought that would be more effective. As for the suspense part, I don't know what else you want him to say. He'll come out with a decision when he makes it, he's not going to issue a statement every time a team is crossed off the list. And remember, most FAs are not wanted by every team in the league like this. Usually teams get an idea of price and are either in, or look for cheaper help elsewhere. He's getting so much interest because he's young and there's a cap on what his salary can be. The more interest there is, the longer the process stretches on. If he was open to playing anywhere he'd have 32 teams calling.
Some sources, don't know if they are legit are stating he has signed with the Rangers. One was a Toronto source so it might have some credit-ability to it.
He could be waiting just to make it seem like was torn about it, even if he knows now. I think his agent being friendly with Gorton could play a factor.
It's getting ridiculous at this point with this kid. Just pick the freaking team already. Too much hype in my opinion. No matter what team he chooses, he better back it up with his play or he will get killed by the media.
Why rush into a decision, becauae you the fan need to know? Lets remember these are people too. It means where they are going to live. There is life beyond skating on a sheet of ice and smacking a puck around. He is in a very rare position of having the abilty to choose instead of that choice being taken away from him 4 years ago (or when ever he was drafted).
What the fuck are you talking about, Al? He should be privileged to be even drafted in the NHL. You know how many guys never even sniff the NHL draft?
He was drafted into a league with a CBA that says you don't have to sign with the team that drafted you so long as you wait a certain amount of years before signing elsewhere. He waited, and signed elsewhere. As many other college players have done. What's the problem? Jesus christ we just got a huge break here with a cheap, young player that has first round talent and costs us no assets, and now we want to cry about his ungratefulness?
