This summer, when the Buffalo Sabres sent a 2020 3rd-round draft pick to the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Jimmy Vesey, the acquisition drew mixed reviews. Some were excited to see the team add what they perceived to be a potential 20-goal scorer (even though he had never once reached that benchmark in his three years with the Rangers). Others still held a bizarre grudge against him for electing not to sign with the Sabres when Tim Murray initially traded for his rights in 2016.
Analytically inclined members of the fan base expressed some concern over his negative defensive impacts, which seemed to negate every one of his modestly positive offensive metrics since turning pro.