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Conflicting reports on the Leafs’ odds in the Jimmy Vesey sweepstakes, Morgan Rielly talks World Cup, and more in the Thursday links.


Vesey narrows list to handful of teams as he approaches free agency (THN)

Come Monday, Vesey, 23, will be free to sign with whichever team he pleases as he becomes an unrestricted free agent, and according to his agent, Peter Fish, the Harvard standout won’t be taking a trip around the league to decide where he wants to end up. Instead, Vesey will have a list of four or five teams that he wants to meet with to discuss his future, after which he’ll make his decision and put an end to what has been months of talk about his destination.


Dater: Leafs, Blackhawks are Vesey Frontrunners


Morgan Rielly: Pumped for World Cup of Hockey (TSN1040)

Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly tells Sekeres and Price that he’s pumped for the upcoming World Cup, suggesting the Young Stars have a chance to surprise. Rielly also comments on the Vesey sweepstakes.


Bill Barilko banner stays for Tragically Hip ACC stops (Toronto Sun)

Whenever The Hip plays Fifty Mission Cap in Toronto, they spotlight the No. 5 banner of the song’s legendary figure. The last goal he ever scored was the overtime winner to beat the Montreal Canadiens for the 1951 Cup before his light plane vanished that August on a fishing trip.


Top 25 Under 25: Andrew Nielsen works his way to No. 22 (PPP)

In the end, Nielsen has shown a blooming offensive dimension to add to his smash-‘em-up and shut-‘em-down game.  His penalty count is a bit worrisome—mean streaks are good, terrible penalty differentials from obstruction calls are not—and anytime a not-so-fast big guy does well in junior, there’s a concern he’ll struggle against adult men.  Scott has warned as such, and everyone agrees there’s work to be done for our boy Andrew.  But size never goes out of style for NHL d-men, and Nielsen has shown himself to be a stud defender at the WHL level.


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