The @MapleLeafs announced today that the hockey club has acquired a conditional seventh-round draft pick in the 2020 NHL Draft from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for the rights to forward Nolan Vesey. #TMLtalk
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) June 8, 2018
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Nolan Vesey was drafted 158th overall in 2014, and as an NCAA player, he becomes a free agent on August 15 this year if he isn’t signed.
I have no idea why the Oilers are making this deal, and without confirmation, we can assume the condition on the pick is that they sign him to an ELC. We wait with bated breath to find out if there’s an extra pick for 2020.
Vesey is the brother of Jimmy Vesey, who famously made a production out of not signing with the Nashville Predators before inking a deal with the Rangers for something more like a high first round pick gets. So the drama served him well.
Nolan has a career high of 13 goals scored in 36 NCAA games in the 2016-2017 season, and spoke to the Oilers prior to his draft.
Jim Vesey, father of the boys, is a scout with the Leafs.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
In an exciting plot twist:
#Oilers announce they’ve signed Nolan Vesey to a two-year, entry-level contract after acquiring him from the #Leafs
— Dhiren Mahiban (@dcmahiban) June 8, 2018
I have nothing against young Nolan, but with his stats as an NCAA graduate, you look at that and think he might make your AHL roster on a good day. So, I say again, LOL Oilers, what are you doing.
You realize this means Dubas has Chia on speed dial, though.