Jimmy Vesey plans to exercise right to free agency

Hobey Baker finalist Jimmy Vesey has told the Predators that he will exercise his right to unrestricted free agency. 

In what will be a move that could bring about changes to the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement, Hobey Baker finalist forward Jimmy Vesey has told the Nashville Predators that he has elected to exercise his right to free agency by not signing an entry level contract with the team.

This is a very interesting move from Vesey. He has the right to do it because the collective bargaining agreement dictates that when a team drafts a player, they have three years to sign him to an entry level contract. Because Vesey was drafted in the 2012 NHL Draft, he had to sign an entry level contract with the Predators before August 15.

Vesey is gambling on himself here while still keeping his future in Nashville open. The Predators are allowed to bid for him after August 15, when he officially becomes a free agent. Vesey is banking that some team will give him a little bit more than what he would get with a standard entry level contract or that he will get to play for a team that he wants to play for more than the Predators. It’s a risky move, but it’s one that could pay off for the talented forward.

Expect to see the Predators (among other teams) bring up this issue with the collective bargaining agreement at the next general manager’s and owner’s meetings. Vesey isn’t the first player to take advantage of this loophole and he certainly won’t be the last.

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