Sabres GM Talks Vesey, Draft

Buffalo GM Tim Murray spoke to the media on Tuesday to talk about the upcoming draft and yesterday’s acquisition of Jimmy Vesey’s negotiating rights.  John Vogl of the Buffalo News has the highlights.

On Vesey, the Hobey Baker winner for the best college player last season:

“It’s a gamble,”   He can sign with somebody else August 15, but it was a third-round pick and we can debate the value of third-round picks. Between 30 percent and 10 percent of them play.

“He’s got top-six potential. He’s the type of player we’re looking for.”

Since the trade occurred, Vesey’s agent acknowledged that he still intends to test the free agent market in mid-August, according to WKBW’s Nick Filipowski.

On the 8th overall pick, Buffalo’s first selection in Friday’s NHL Entry Draft:

“If somebody offers us a top-end, young, left-shot” defenseman “and they demand our eighth overall pick and we feel it makes us better, we’ll do the trade.” 

Murray added that the team has a shortlist of three players at that selection should they hold onto the pick.  The team isn’t willing to move any of their top young players to move up in the draft, notes Mike Harrington, also of the Buffalo News.

Murray also noted that the team has been in talks with D Rasmus Ristolainen, D Jake McCabe, and F Zemgus Girgensons on new contracts.  The team has not yet started negotiations with F Marcus Foligno, reports Shawn Stepner of WKBW.