Report: Bruins 'Did Very Well' In Meeting With Jimmy Vesey, Could Be 'Leader In The Clubhouse'
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Boston Bruins got to make their final sales pitch with free-agent forward Jimmy Vesey on Wednesday, and unsurprisingly, the reports coming out of their meeting have been largely positive.
Team sources obviously would not have said the team's meeting with Vesey, the 2016 Hobey Baker Award winner out of Harvard, was anything other than a positive development. But according to Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe, a "source involved in the meeting" told him Wednesday night that the Bruins "did very well" making their pitch to Vesey. The pitch reportedly included a tour of the Warrior Ice Arena, the Bruins' brand new practice facility. So take that for whatever you think that's worth.
Adding another layer of optimism to the situation is Rear Admiral of Barstool Sports, who tweeted Wednesday evening that the Bruins "appear to be the leader in the clubhouse" based on what he was told. Elsewhere, the Detroit Red Wings made their pitch but Vesey's agent reportedly told them he prefers to play "closer to home." In theory, that would also leave the Chicago Blackhawks out of the mix, despite their very attractive roster and management situation.
If Vesey really wants to play closer to his home state of Massachusetts, that would still make the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, and New York Rangers viable candidates to land him. If I may nitpick and overanalyze for a moment, if Vesey said he wants to play "closer to home" does that mean he doesn't necessarily want to play at home? If that is how he felt, it sounds like the Bruins did a good job convincing him otherwise.
Wherever Vesey decides to play, it's becoming clear that he wants to stay in the Northeast. Vesey reportedly got advice from Kevin Hayes, brother of the Bruins' Jimmy Hayes, on meeting with teams and was told that he would know in his "gut" what he wants to do.
If what these sources are telling reporters is true about the Bruins' meeting with the free agent, perhaps Vesey's heart is telling him to stay in Massachusetts. He wants to play close to home, but with a decision possibly coming Thursday or Friday, it will soon be known just how close.
Fluto Shinzawa called the Adam Jones Show Wednesday night to talk about the Vesey sweepstakes. Listen below:
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. His opinions do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
