Rangers veteran angry about lack of playing time, ‘dying by being here’: report

It’s safe to say that Jimmy Vesey is not happy about his recent lack of playing time with the New York Rangers. And their latest lineup decision just may have sent the veteran forward over the top with his frustration.

Vesey unloaded in a conversation with Larry Brooks of the New York Post after practice Thursday. At that practice, Arthur Kaliyev was off the third line and skating as an extra forward. What likely set Vesey off is that Jonny Brodzinski — not Vesey — took Kaliyev’s spot next to Filip Chytil and Chris Kreider, and will likely play against the Boston Bruins on Saturday.

“I love being a Ranger, and I think everyone knows that. The six years I’ve been here have been the best and most fun I’ve had as a player,” Vesey told Brooks. “But this stretch where I haven’t dressed for the last [nine] games and have no indication that this is going to change, it’s been extremely difficult for me.”

Vesey was just warming up.

“It seems that I’ve fallen out of favor and have just been cast aside over an extended period of time. It feels like I have no role or purpose on this team.

“I’m kind of dying by being here.”

The 31-year-old forward has played 26 games this season, in part due to injury. But lately, he’s been healthy and sitting in the press box. Coach Peter Laviolette played Kaliyev 10 games, mainly on the third line, and Matt Rempe has now taken a regular role on the fourth line, also playing 10 consecutive games. Plus, Adam Edstrom and Sam Carrick played every game on the fourth line this season.

A skilled penalty killer, Vesey lost his spot on the PK to Edstrom and Will Cuylle, a pair of younger players.

Laviolette said after practice Friday that he hasn’t given up on Vesey.

“Jimmy’s an important piece to this team,” he said. “He’s proven that. Right now we’ve gone with a lineup, and like all the players that aren’t in there, we just ask them to keep working hard. We’re more than confident in our team and their abilities to come in and make a difference.”

Being healthy-scratched so often is likely a bit of a shock to the system for Vesey, who appeared to be a Laviolette favorite last season. Vesey had 13 goals and 26 points in 80 games, largely in a bottom-six role. But he also played some important minutes in the top-six, especially after Blake Wheeler went down with a knee injury.

Under Gerard Gallant in 2022-23 scored 11 goals and had 25 points in 81 games. He averaged 13:37 TOI that season, compared to an NHL career-low 10:04 this season.

Related: Breaking down trade options for Rangers, East rivals ahead of March 7 deadline

What’s next for Rangers with unhappy veteran Jimmy Vesey

NHL: St. Louis Blues at New York Rangers
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So, what’s next for Vesey? He’d appear to be a likely trade candidate ahead of the March 7 deadline. But that’s not a given, unless he becomes a disruptive force behind the scenes, which isn’t his nature. The reason it’s not a given is that he is a fairly valuable depth forward should things go awry or injuries hit the Rangers down the stretch.

Still, it feels more likely than not that Vesey’s second tenure on Broadway is coming to an end soon. He is a slower, more plodding player, and Laviolette favors better skaters. Edstrom and Brodzinski certainly fit into that category.

“I love this place,” Vesey said. “But i know I’m unhappy and don’t see this changing. I know I have value to teams in this league. I know I could help teams.”

Vesey is right about two things there. His situation in New York is not likely changing, as explained above. And, yes, there are likely contenders who’d like to add him in their bottom six.

For now, he remains with the Rangers, with whom he signed as a free agent twice, including after his collegiate career at Harvard ended in 2016. His first three seasons in New York were his best in the NHL, when he scored, 16, 17, and 17 goals.

Now, he sees the end coming and is worried about his future in the NHL. Vesey is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, and he doesn’t want his career to be over just yet.

Jim Cerny is Executive Editor at Forever Blueshirts and Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, with more than 30 years of ... More about Jim Cerny
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