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New York Islanders Jimmy Vesey Watch Extended

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks on stage before the start of the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman speaks on stage before the start of the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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August is a slow month for hockey. Free agency is still open even though most of the big names have found new homes. There’s one free agent left, and were going to have to wait another day to see if he picks the New York Islanders.

In another 24 hours, Jimmy Vesey is going to be the most coveted free agent on the market. He’s tall, he’s big, he’s talented, he’s a Harvard graduate, and he’s only 23 and about to start a bidding war amongst all 31 NHL teams, including the New York Islanders.

The Nashville Predators held the young North Reading native’s rights after drafting him in the third-round in 2012. But when the time came for Vesey to pledge his allegiance to the team that drafted him, he decided to test the open market instead.

Predators GM Dave Poile was awestruck by Vesey’s decision, calling the move a “shocker” and going so far as to say: “I clearly believe that Jimmy’s received bad advice and bad counsel”.

Most of us believed that Vesey decision day was going to be August 15th. Even the NHL believed it was the 15th. The NHL. The ones that wrote the rules.

But leave it to General Fanager to clear things up. It must be embarrassing for the NHL to actually get it’s own rules wrong.

Don’t feel bad NHL. It’s not your fault NHL. Your rules are so complex and convoluted that even you can’t get them right.

The Jimmy Vesey Decision Day Countdown got a full 24-hours longer. For now, Buffalo is still on the clock. After trading a third-round pick for his exclusive rights. And time is running out.

Related Story: Why Jimmy Vesey Ain't Joining the Islanders

Buffalo has until August 16th to convince Vesey that playing with the likes of former Islander Kyle Okposo, Jack Eichel, and Ryan O’Reilly is the best opportunity for him.

It’s hard to imagine that a deal is going to be reached before the time limit. We’re already August 15th and nothings been done yet. Buffalo’s had his rights since the draft. It’s not impossible, but it’s very unlikely. Vesey’s held on this long, he’ll wait another 24 hours.

Side note: Does anyone not think he’s going to Boston?

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