Today begins the Jimmy Vesey sweepstakes.
The 23-year-old Harvard forward, who has spent his entire life in Massachusetts, officially becomes a free agent on Monday, if he doesn’t sign at the last minute with Buffalo.
Buffalo traded for Vesey’s rights from Nashville in late June. Vesey’s agent, Peter Fish, has said all along he wants his client to explore all free agent options.
Vesey won the Hobey Baker Award in 2016 as the top collegian in the U.S.
Though the Flyers have interest in him, their salary cap situation seems to prevent them from being a serious contender.
The Flyers have a little over $1 million in cap space available.
There has been no indication all summer from Vesey’s camp that the Flyers were among the clubs he would consider signing with.
Fish could not be reached for comment.
At least five other clubs, including the New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs, have reportedly been at the forefront and even Fish has acknowledged his client’s interest in some clubs.
Ironically, the Boston Bruins are not considered as having an inside path to Vesey even though he was born in North Reading.
Vesey was originally drafted by Nashville in 2012 but never signed a contract. His rights were traded to the Sabres a few days before this summer’s past NHL draft.
On Monday, they will expire.