Former Maple Leafs Forward Nearing Overseas Move as NHL Future Hangs in the Balance
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Former Maple Leafs forward and journeyman Jimmy Vesey has yet to sign in the NHL, and a new report from RG.org shows he could be considering a move overseas.
Although there are only a few "big-time" free agents available on the market, there is no shortage of players available for teams to scoop up on the cheap this summer, either for NHL depth, AHL help, or hoping they have the next big thing.
Though, for some, a quiet NHL free agency period is not doing wonders for their career, and some have decided a move overseas is the best chance at continuing to play the game they love.
Vesey to KHL: Reports Show Free Agent Entertaining Offers
For Jimmy Vesey, former Maple Leaf forward and at one time a very hyped up prospect, it seems he wants to take a chance elsewhere; specifically the KHL.
According to a report from RG.org, Vesey is drawing interest from four teams in the league, with the powerhouse SKA St. Petersburg as the frontrunners:
NHL forward Jimmy Vesey may continue his career in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). According to RG sources, the 32-year-old is exploring the possibility of leaving the NHL to sign with a KHL club.
The frontrunner for Vesey's signature is SKA St. Petersburg. Other interested teams include Ak Bars Kazan, Dinamo Minsk, and the Chinese club Kunlun Red Star.
The frontrunner for Vesey's signature is SKA St. Petersburg. Other interested teams include Ak Bars Kazan, Dinamo Minsk, and the Chinese club Kunlun Red Star.
A source close to Vesey told the website that while Vesey hasn't committed to playing in Russia this season, he's asking all the right questions:
Jimmy has been asking a lot of questions about how things work in the KHL and is seriously considering offers from the top European league; the source told RG
How Jimmy Vesey Heading Overseas Affects NHL Free Agency
Vesey spent last season with the New York Rangers and the Colorado Avalanche, scoring 8 points in 43 games (5 goals, 3 assists).
A former Harvard University standout, there was a lot of excitement about Vesey heading into his debut season, and while he put up a solid first three seasons with the Rangers, his production fell off a cliff soon after.
He signed as a free agent with the Maple Leafs in 2020 and had 11 points in 30 games before being waived and picked up by the Vancouver Canucks.
In 626 career games, Vesey has 194 points (101 goals, 93 assists) playing for the Rangers, Sabres, Leafs, Canucks, Devils, Rangers (again) and Colorado.
Him signing overseas potentially may give way for others who feel slighted to sign in Russia or elsewhere in Europe, hopeful they can one day bring their talents back.
For a guy like Vesey though, who has had over 600 career NHL games, the writing might be on the wall.
Though it's not a bad thing, the NHL is notoriously the hardest pro hockey league in the world, and while he never lived up to that hype; he put in a very solid career.
So perhaps it's time to take that somewhere else and enjoy the game with a little less weight on his shoulders.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 30 | 676 ANSWERS Former Maple Leafs Forward Nearing Overseas Move as NHL Future Hangs in the Balance Do you consider Jimmy Vesey a bust? | ||
| Yes | 552 | 81.7 % |
| No | 124 | 18.3 % |
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