I would move Nash in a heartbeat if there's the slightest interest from any other team, not the end of the world if Gorton can't move him but he's not likely to figure out how to score postseason. Moving Staal/Girardi or both remains the priority. Gorton deserves credit for a job well done so far. He hasn't fallen into the overpaying free agent trap and landing Vesey was a large feather in his cap. Lost in all the fanfare was his signing of John Gilmour, another college prospect.
In terms of his career trajectory, possibly. But he is much better defensively than both those guys. I find that the college offensive defenseman have a much harder time translating to the pros than defensive defenseman. Either way, always good to have another young body in the system. I believe he was their #1 D as a sophomore when they won the NCAA championship a few years ago.
Hayes can't play center. His faceoffs suck too bad. He's going to have to figure out how to play wing. If they can get Girgensons for Nash as rumored, then he can center the third line which would be freakin perfect. Also makes us even younger.
Prospectus Prospecting – Jimmy Vesey plus five (NCAA/USHL) Posted on December 17, 2015 by Ryan Wagman — 2 Comments ↓ Scouting Report – Jimmy Vesey Bio Team: Harvard Crimson (ECAC) Draft Status: 66th overall, 2012 (Nashville) Position: LW To date stats: 10 GP, 8 G, 8 A, 16 pts, 4 PIM Shoots: L Height/Weight: 6-1”, 194 Characteristics Skating (Speed/edges/technique/etc)Vesey is very strong on his feet. His straight-ahead speed is short of elite, verging closer to average, but he is more than fast enough. Giving him a head of steam, he will find a second gear, but again, he is not a burner. Where he raises his grade is when we include his agility and edge-work. He can move around in all four directions, often with very tight shift from direction to direction. All in all, he is an above-average skater. Grade: 55 Shooting (Slap/wrist/backhand, General strength, proclivities, etc) Vesey has an above average wrist shot. Can pick out a corner or seam from the slot on in. His wrist shot is his weapon of choice as his positioning is of the range where the wrist shot will do the most damage. Both the power and accuracy are in the above average range. He will score goals at the highest level. Grade: 55 Puck SkillsHigh end. This is not just his hands, but his decisions of what to do with the puck, when to pass, when to circle back, etc. His hands are quick, giving him the ability to swipe a puck form a lazy or unsuspecting opponent. He will often cycle between the half wall and behind the red line and is very proficient at finding open teammates when behind the net. He is comfortable carrying the puck through the neutral zone and is skilled at zone entries. His vision is close to elite. Even from the corner, he can spot a teammate through traffic and hit him on the tape with a sharp pass. He will dangle as well, although that skill will be less of a weapon in the NHL. Vesey employs a long reach to help him protect pucks. Grade: 65 Smarts (vision, defensive play, ability to stick in system, etc.)As the son of a former professional hockey player, Vesey has a good head for the game. As mentioned in the previous section, he makes smart plays with the puck. His vision is not just a reflection of his skills, but the innate knowledge that when a teammate is better positioned than he to wreak havoc, Vesey should let him do so. His smarts also allow him to play more physically than his size would otherwise allow. As an example, when going into the corner and anticipating an incoming backchecker, Vesey braces his feet against the wall to help him use the boards to cushion the upcoming blow and allows the remainder of the force to travel up his legs, instead of his back and upper body. He is used on both special teams. Grade: 65 PhysicalityVesey is average in terms of his natural size and strength, but it plays up due to his ability to play in the dirty areas of the ice. In other words, he is a skill player first and foremost, but he is by no means a peripheral player. He will fight for pucks along the boards and behind the net and leverages his frame to win his share of those battles. There is also room to add a little bit more size and strength over time, allowing this to project up a half a grade. Grade: 55 General Assessment Jimmy Vesey will play in the NHL this season. While there were whispers of the Predators not being able to sign him, as will often be the case when a high-end prospect enters his fourth year of university play, the fact is they did not push very hard, respecting the brand of a Harvard education. Even if they cannot sign him, they will find no shortage of trade suitors who would be happy to snap him up as soon as his season is over with the Toronto Maple Leafs – who employ his father as a scout and who own the rights of his younger brother, currently playing college hockey at Maine. He can play in a top six role right now. The Hobey Baker front runner is the best pro prospect I have seen in first few months of the season. Overall Future Projection: 5.9.
Making up for all the first rounders they have been giving away the last 3 years. Imagine if they did not make that stupid Eric Staal deal. Would have been even more deeper forward wise with Saarela.
