Jimmy Vesey was the crown jewel of last year’s college free agents. Originally drafted by the Nashville Predators in the third round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Vesey declined to sign with the team. The Predators then traded his rights to the Buffalo Sabres, who Vesey also declined to sign with, before hitting the free agency market. He eventually signed with the New York Rangers.
Vesey, who won the Hobey Baker as the overall best player in the NCAA in 2016, provided a youthful avenue for the New York Rangers to explore. The highly touted Harvard graduate was believed to have enough raw skill where he could be placed in a top six role right off the rip.