After a week of speculation, the offseason phenomenon known as #VeseyWatch has ended.
New York Rangers sign coveted college free agent Jimmy Vesey
The Hobey Baker winner chose New York over many other suitors.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
On Friday, college free agent and 2016 Hobey Baker Award winner Jimmy Vesey chose to sign with the New York Rangers.
The contract is a max deal for a college free agent; Vesey will earn $925,000 in base pay for two years with $1.925 million in performance bonuses.
Vesey became a free agent on Tuesday and spent most of the week meeting with representatives from the Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins and Toronto Maple Leafs. The Islanders seem to have come up third in the race for his services.
The Nashville Predators drafted Vesey in the third round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, but traded his rights to the Sabres this June when he made it clear he wanted to test free agency.
A natural goal-scorer, the 23-year-old registered 56 goals in his last two seasons in the NCAA and could become a top-six player on his new team as soon as next season. Adding a top young talent like Vesey is a big win for the Rangers, who haven’t had a first-round pick since 2012.
They have experience in this route, too. Winger Kevin Hayes has become a solid contributor for the Rangers since signing as a free agent out of Boston College in 2014.
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