All signs point to Jimmy Vesey making the New York Rangers
Jimmy Vesey began his NHL career by signing with the New York Rangers as a free agent out of college in 2016-17. He spent three seasons on Broadway registering 50 goals and 90 points in 240 games before being bounced around the league.
His first stop was with the Buffalo Sabres after the Rangers traded him there in 2019 for a third-round pick in the 2021 draft (Jayden Grubbe). From there, he made additional stops in Toronto, Vancouver and New Jersey over six seasons.
Along the way, the promising NCAA star many projected to be a top six forward realized he had to change his game.
“I had to re-invent myself as a fourth-line guy who could kill penalties,” Vesey said. “I’m not one for pumping my own tires, but I think I did a pretty good job of that.”
That’s what he did for the Devils last season by scoring two shorthanded goals and adding 16 points in 68 games.
Today, Vesey is eyeing a Rangers return with a different outlook and purpose.
All signs point to Jimmy Vesey winning a job
The 29 year-old has done an excellent job after signing a professional tryout contract (PTO) this summer. In three exhibition games so far, Vesey has recorded a goal and two assists. Throw in a hard back-check on the PK to prevent a game-tying goal preserving a Rangers win for good measure last week against his old team, the Devils.
Today at practice, Vesey was on the first line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. According to Gerard Gallant, they want to give him an opportunity since he’s on a PTO to win a job.
While that may be the case, I believe he’s someone who is already penciled in to the 2022-23 roster based on his training camp to date.
“We expected that (from Vesey),” Gallant noted. “Once he signed a PTO here we knew he’s a good player and what he did last year. Obviously, he’s in the mix.”
For his career, Vesey has scored 135 points in 422 games. When it comes to playoff performance he’s only been to the postseason once. That came with the Rangers in 2016-17, where he scored 5 points in 12 contests.
“I know management really valued the role Motte played here. I think I’m of that same mold and can fill that spot,” Vesey said. “I can skate, can kill penalties and I can still score if I shoot the puck.”
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The New York Rangers have two preseason games to go and it’s likely that Vesey will be on the first line tomorrow versus the Bruins.
If he scores, the Rangers may as well announce a one-year contract worth $800,000 right after the game. However, even if he fails to notch a point he could still secure the job. All he has to do is have a solid night in all three zones and keep up the great PK work.
Let’s face it, all signs point to Jimmy Vesey being with the New York Rangers this upcoming season.
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