Vesey has friends on the Rangers (Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes) and family in the Maple Leafs organization (father Jim is a scout and brother Nolan is a prospect). The Leafs even tabbed the 2016’s first-overall draft pick, American centre Auston Matthews, to help in their recruitment pitch Tuesday, according to ESPN.
“We did our best,” Red Wings assistant general manager Ryan Martin said. “We spoke to his agent about depth and opportunity. He said he preferred to play closer to home.” The list of teams the 23-year-old Boston native is rumored to have interest inincludes Chicago, New Jersey, the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Buffalo and his hometown Bruins.