Toronto Maple Leafs trade Nolan Vesey to Edmonton Oilers
By James Reeve
Now that the Stanley Cup Finals are over, it’s time to focus on the Toronto Maple Leafs once again, with GM Kyle Dubas making his first trade as the team’s General Manager.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have agreed to a deal with the Edmonton Oilers, that sees the rights to college prospect Nolan Vesey swapped for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2020.
The conditions of the trade are not yet known, but it should be noted, as per the Edmonton Journal, the Oilers have signed Vesey immediately to a two-year Entry Level Contract.
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
Nolan, a left-handed winger, is best known as the younger brother of New York Rangers winger Jimmy, a player the Maple Leafs reportedly targeted as a free agent a couple of summers ago.
The hope from the Leafs’ perspective was that Nolan, and his father Jim (an amateur scout), as a part of the organisation, could be used as potential lures to the more talented member of the family.
More from Toronto Maple Leafs
- Maple Leafs Rumours: Half of NHL teams interested in Ilya Mikheyev
- Toronto Maple Leafs: How to address the goaltender position
- Leafs reward Timothy Liljegren with extension after breakout season
- Maple Leafs: Jack Campbell situation becoming increasingly uncertain
- Jason Spezza retires, joins Toronto Maple Leafs front office
Jimmy was a powerhouse player at the college level, scoring 80 goals and 144 total points in 128 regular season games for Harvard, whereas Nolan has had a far more understated career to date.
In 145 regular season games for the University of Maine, Nolan scored 80 total points – 39 goals and 43 assists.
With the Leafs boasting a number of highly rated young prospects in their system, it was unlikely Vesey was going to have a legitimate chance of breaking into the Marlies.
In Edmonton, he has an opportunity to truly develop his game further and see how far he can really go, likely starting off in the Bakersfield Condors – the AHL affiliate of the Oilers.
For the Leafs, they receive a potential seventh-round pick a couple of years down the line – not particularly groundbreaking but it is something in return for virtually nothing, as Vesey was not signed to a contract with the team.
It also represents a first foray into the trade market for new General Manager Kyle Dubas, who will be determined to make his mark on the team as early as possible.
Next: Garret Sparks deserves a chance with the Leafs next season
What do you think of the deal Toronto Maple Leafs fans? Are you happy with the return or are you disappointed to see Vesey traded?