Predators GM Poile says Vesey getting ‘bad advice’

NASHVILLE— Jimmy Vesey plans to test free agency rather than sign with the Nashville Predators, though general manager David Poile says he isn’t giving up hope of signing the forward selected in the 2012 draft.

“The opportunity remains very good here for him in Nashville, and I’m going to continue to try and see whether we can persuade him to change his mind,” Poile said Monday night.

Poile said the Predators had been given every indication Vesey would sign once Harvard’s season ended. The 22-year-old Vesey scored 80 goals in 128 games at Harvard, which was eliminated in the NCAA Tournament on Friday night. Nashville didn’t make a move at the trade deadline because Poile said Vesey told assis- tant general manager Paul Fenton he planned to join the Predators.

Then the team got a call last Wednesday that Vesey was thinking of free agency, which Poile called a “shocker” since Nashville was expecting to sign the forward. Poile said they have not been able to meet together with Vesey, his agents and his family since then. Vesey’s father is an amateur scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“I clearly believe that Jimmy’s received bad advice and bad counsel,” Poile said. “A player usually goes to free agency in order to increase his leverage and benefit financially, and that will not be the case here . . . he’s going to sign for an extra year at the same money.”