Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The Buffalo Sabres were busy Monday with a series of deals at the start of NHL free agency.
It all began as the Sabres acquired forward Jimmy Vesey from the New York Rangers in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Vesey (6'3", 199 lbs., 5/26/1993) totaled 35 points (17+18) last season, including 31 at even strength, which ranked third among all Rangers skaters in 2018-19. For the second consecutive season, 16 of his 17 goals were scored at even strength.
The Sabres briefly held negotiating rights to Vesey after a trade with Nashville during the 2016 NHL Draft, but Vesey and the Sabres could not strike a deal. Vesey eventually signed with the Rangers.
In three career NHL seasons with the Rangers, Vesey has totaled 90 points (50+40) in 240 regular-season games, adding five points (1+4) in 12 playoff contests. Of his 50 career goals, 43 have been scored at even strength, ranking third among Rangers skaters since he entered the league.
Prior to beginning his professional career, the North Reading, Massachusetts native played four seasons at Harvard University, where he totaled 144 points (80+64) in 128 games. His collegiate career culminated with the 2016 Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's top player following a senior season during which he led all Crimson skaters and finished third in the ECAC with 46 points (24+22) in 33 games.
He's signed a one year contract worth $700,000.
The blue and gold also signed forward Jean-Sebastien Dea to a two-year contract with an AAV of $700,000. Dea (5'11", 175 lbs., 2/8/1994) split time between the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins in 2018-19, posting six points (4+2) in a career-high 23 NHL games. He also appeared in 46 AHL games last season, recording 44 points (17+27) in those contests.
