New Jersey Devils: Jimmy Vesey Shows He Can Make This Team

The New Jersey Devils held two scrimmages this weekend to see where the team was in terms of game readiness. There were some players who really stood out. Dawson Mercer was one of the main players who turned some heads. He played well as a rookie, and he made a point to show he should be considered for a roster spot. Another player who did the same thing was Jimmy Vesey.

The former Rangers, Sabres, and Canucks forward is hanging on to his career. He signed a professional tryout with the Devils. The PTO means his contract is not guaranteed. He can be let go at any time. The Devils have three other PTOs in training camp that are trying to earn contracts. Fans did not hear their names called much in the scrimmages like they heard the name Vesey.

He scored a goal and added two assists while playing on a line with Michael McLeod and Tyce Thompson. McLeod is in a different spot this season, coming into camp with a guaranteed roster spot. If he stays healthy, he’s going to be the third or fourth-line center without a doubt. Meanwhile, Vesey and Thompson both want to make this roster, but only one of them is facing possibly the last chance at the NHL. And Vesey knows it based on his comments to reporters last week.

"“I don’t have a contract so I’m playing for my life. It was the first day on the ice, first official day of practice. I wanted to get off to a good start.”  — Jimmy Vesey on Thursday."

Vesey has had an absolutely terrible few years on the ice since leaving the New York Rangers. The Rangers traded Vesey to the Buffalo Sabres, the same team that traded for his rights as he was leaving Harvard back in 2016. They finally got their man, but it cost them a 3rd-round pick and he only put up 20 points in 64 games. Last season, he signed a minimum contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. It wasn’t working out, and he was put on waivers before being claimed by the Vancouver Canucks.

He went unsigned for months before the Devils gave him an opportunity. PTOs have worked out for the Devils before, and this one might find the same value that PTOs to Lee Stempniak and Drew Stafford had. Hopefully, Vesey’s scoring in the scrimmage isn’t a one-time thing. The Devils have some openings on the bottom six, especially at the wing. If Vesey can give them scoring, he deserves to get that spot.