New York Rangers: What to do with Jimmy Vesey going forward

It seems like just yesterday the entire league was trying to convince the college free agent to help bolster their roster. Now over two-years later, a shaky pre-season, and surprise performances from other players, the New York Rangers need to figure out what to do with the Harvard grad.

The start to the 2018-2019 season has not been kind to Jimmy Vesey. After playing 159 games in his first two seasons, the Boston native could find himself in a shirt and tie watching his team from the rafters. The New York Rangers had young players play better than the Harvard alumnus during the preseason.

Despite playing in four of the six pre-season games, Vesey only has one assist (which came in his last game) and sits at a -1. He’s looked lost, indecisive, and has been outplayed by just about every one of his teammates.

If this was last year, it could have been chalked up to the “head coach’s deployment” excuse. This year, with new management giving everyone a shot and an influx of prospects and veterans all vying for that coveted roster spot, Vesey has put himself in the hot seat.

The argument can be made for both sides, so on opening night, should he be wearing a suit or a blueshirt?

Get Lundqvist on the phone, cause this kid needs a suit.

The idea that sending one of Filip Chytil and Lias Andersson down to the AHL so one of the two centers didn’t waste away on the fourth line was removed on Wednesday when Coach David Quinn tested Chytil at the wing alongside Zibanejad and Kreider.

That decision impacts Vesey as now both the 2017 first round draft picks could start the year in NY. If Chytil indeed starts the year on the wing, the top nine could be set. Larry Brooks of the New York Post threw out a very probable starting 9.

So let’s return to Proposition Top Nine. Zibanejad and Hayes are two. Adding Chris Kreider, Pavel Buchnevich, Mats Zuccarello and Jesper Fast make six. Chytil is seven. Ryan Spooner makes eight. And then maybe Andersson is nine. Can we contemplate: Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich; Chytil-Hayes-Zuccarello; Spooner-Andersson-Fast?

Now there’s three starting forward spots for Vladislav Namestnikov, Vinni Lettieri, Peter Holland, Cody McLeod, Brett Howden and Vesey. Has Vesey really proved that he would help make up the best fourth line possible?

Lettieri has impressed the most with Howden showing he should be given serious consideration for that fourth line center spot.

McLeod isn’t a favorite for the lineup, but the injury to Matt Beleskey coupled with his 13 years of experience might be enough to gain Quinn’s trust.

Namestnikov had a great last year, racking up 48 points, but 44 of them came from playing with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. Regardless, 1/3rd of those points were on the power-play, so he still adds great value to special teams.

Holland isn’t known for his skill set, but has shown over a seven year career that he can be a fourth line center that stays quiet for all the right reasons.

Then that leaves Vesey.

There are flashes of the power-forward the Rangers thought he was when they signed him, but those performances are far and few between.

Vesey should not be sent down, he should not be on the move, but starting the year in the press box could be a good thing. It will not only light a fire under him, it will give the players who performed well in preseason a chance to show they truly deserve to play against the best in the world.

Rangers could try a fourth line of Howden centering Namestnikov and Lettieri and see what the kids can do. If they want to add more “grit” or experience to the lineup, they could always pencil in McLeod or Holland instead of Howden if they feel he’s not ready.

Sure, a fourth line of Vesey-Namestnikov-Lettieri/McLeod could work, but if you don’t reward the guys who legitimately impressed in the preseason, why even play them? If one guy is underwhelming while another is turning heads, give the new one a shot.

Now is the time when Rangers need to play around with their lineup a bit and maybe find a hidden gem. We know what Vesey is capable of, lets see what some of the other guys can do.

UPDATE:

So now we’re down to 13 offensemen.

So who is the odd man out? Do the cuts catapult Vesey up to a third liner or does he get scratched for McLeod? One things for sure, if McLeod dresses, Rangers twitter could be must watch.