New York Rangers veteran forward Jimmy Vesey told The Hockey News about the pressures of playing for an original six club.
"It's an original six franchise, I think those markets hold a little bit more weight," Vesey told The Hockey News.
"I played here and Toronto and grew up in Boston so I've seen half of those teams. With that tradition and culture, with the city, organization, and fans, everyone wants to win."
Vesey signed with the Rangers after a sweepstakes-like summer of 2017. Vesey did not sign with two NHL clubs before he became a free agent, and many clubs were interested in signing the Hobey Baker Award winner.
It had been the first time in years that the club made an effort to pursue a young, talented player.
He told THN, "I mean there's pressure but it's probably more so out of passion for the team."
That was not the status quo for the organization in the team's contention years in the mid and late 2010s.
When the Rangers committed to rebuilding in 2018, the team earned the second draft pick in 2019 and the club's only first overall pick in 2020.
Even though Vesey dealt with the squeeze of expectations in the big city at a young age, he does not preach to the current young stock.
"I think in these situations, they [Kakko and Lafreniere] are adults. They are on their own journey," said Vesey.
"I'll give them pointers but I'm not one for motivational speeches. I'm not going to sit down with a younger guy. I'm not at a point in my career to do that."
This core of under-twenty-three skaters has seen the peaks of what it is like to go the distance in New York, and also what it is like to lose.
For now, the Blueshirts' blossoming stars have to focus on one game at a time as they traverse this tough January stretch.