Could Harvard’s Jimmy Vesey Land With Bruins After Turning Down Predators?

Jimmy Vesey informed the Nashville Predators on Monday that he would not be taking his talents to Tennessee this spring, opting to test the waters of NHL free agency rather than sign with the team that drafted him in 2012.

So, who will end up landing the two-time Hobey Baker Award finalist? How about his hometown Boston Bruins?

Vesey was born in Charlestown, Mass., raised in North Reading, Mass., and last week wrapped up an illustrious collegiate career at Harvard, and Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman on Tuesday named the Bruins and the Toronto Maple Leafs as the two teams with the best chances of signing the 22-year-old winger when he hits the open market Aug. 15.

Joining the B’s would allow Vesey to remain close to home, and it also could give him the opportunity to play alongside one of his childhood friends: Boston University senior defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, whom Boston picked in the same draft that Nashville nabbed Vesey.

“Boston’s biggest draw in the hunt for Vesey may be his friendship with draftee Matt Grzelcyk,” Friedman wrote, noting that Grzelcyk feels loyalty to the Bruins after they drafted him much higher (85th overall) than most experts projected.

It’s worth mentioning, though, that the Charlestown native also can pursue free agency this summer if he so chooses.

The Leafs, meanwhile, already have ties to two members of the Vesey family: They hired Jimmy’s father, Jim Sr., as a scout last summer and drafted his brother, University of Maine sophomore Nolan, in 2014.

While Jimmy Vesey’s NHL landing spot won’t be decided for another few months — much to the chagrin of Predators general manager David Poile — his credentials are unquestioned.

Vesey finished in the top three of voting for the 2015 Hobey Baker Award — losing out to some guy named Jack Eichel — and is a finalist for college hockey’s Heisman again this season after leading Harvard in both goals (24) and assists (22). He also helped guide the Crimson to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, the latter of which ended Friday with a first-round loss to Boston College.

Thumbnail screenshot via YouTube/HarvardAthletics