The Jimmy Vesey tour will continue on down the road.
The sought-after college star will reportedly pursue free agency in mid-August despite his rights being owned by the Buffalo Sabres who traded for them recently, according to The Boston Globe’s Kevin Paul Dupont.
“I’m still going to go to free agency,’’ he told the Globe, “and explore all my options.’’
The former Nashville Predators draft choice in 2012 played four years at Harvard University before declining to sign with the NHL club. His rights were traded on June 20 to the Buffalo Sabres who believed the presence of Jack Eichel — a friend and former teammate to Vesey — would convince him to sign with the Sabres. Buffalo gave up a third round pick to acquire him.
Now the Massachusetts native will apparently field offers after August 15 when he becomes a free agent.
Vesey, 23, told the Globe that he will “start looking at roster depth charts” once rosters are more established after a flurry of signings over this weekend.
The six-foot-two, 205-pound forward scored 46 points in 33 games last season with Harvard and won the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s top hockey player. He plays in a summer league with Eichel and other pros and NHL hopefuls and said he’s spoken to the Sabres sophomore about joining the club.
“He’s told me they have a young team, and stuff like that,’’ Vesey told the Globe. “And that it’s a good place to play, with passionate fans. But he said he’s not going to harass me or anything…obviously, it’s my decision and that’s that.’’
Vesey’s father Jim is a scout with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“I have a couple of teams in mind, but my dad’s said he is going to let me make the decision,’’ said Vesey. “I think that’s fair. I am 23 years old at this point, so I am a man on my own and…I think I’d like to be in the Northeast a little bit.”
