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New York Rangers stock market: Risers and fallers 2/25-3/2

By Victoria Ranieri

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 28: New York Rangers Center Vladislav Namestnikov (90) is congratulated after scoring a goal during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on February 28, 2018 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.(Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 28: New York Rangers Center Vladislav Namestnikov (90) is congratulated after scoring a goal during their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on February 28, 2018 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.(Photo by Derek Cain/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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WINNIPEG, MB – FEBRUARY 11: Jimmy Vesey
WINNIPEG, MB – FEBRUARY 11: Jimmy Vesey /

Down: Jimmy Vesey

Jimmy Vesey has been the definition of snakebitten this season.

Vesey has been playing through quite the sophomore slump this season. In 62 games played, he has just 12 goals and 7 assists for 19 points. While close to his previous season total of 16 goals and 11 assists, he is not improving as he should be. However, he has also been incredibly snakebitten. The amount of empty nets and golden scoring chances he has missed this season is astounding. He has just two points (both goals) in his last 10 games. That is not what was initially expected of the Hobey Baker Award winner.

I mostly relate Vesey’s shortcomings to the sophomore slump. Partially due to it just being something players go through, and partially due to coaching. Kevin Hayes experienced the same thing his sophomore season and multiple other times in his career.

When Hayes has been misused by coach Alain Vigneault (along with the many others he has misused), his production has suffered. Hayes plays his best when he is allowed to be creative offensively. Not when he is forced to play the defensive role Vigneault has put him in.

What role fits Vesey best? I honestly don’t know for sure. However, he tends to be shafted with his linemates and has recently been played with Cody McLeod. How is he expected to produce when he plays with players who have immensely limited offensive skills? Now he is on a line with Namestnikov and Zuccarello and isn’t showing much there either.

The good news is that Vesey is still fairly young and is only in his second year in the NHL. Next season, with a new coach, we should start to see an improvement in his production.

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