Jimmy Vesey expressed his displeasure for getting benched over the past few weeks by the Rangers.
Jimmy Vesey expressed his displeasure for getting benched over the past few weeks by the Rangers.
It has been a tough stretch for Jimmy Vesey with the New York Rangers, there’s no doubt about that.
Vesey has not played in a game since Jan. 11 as it’s all beginning to take a toll on the veteran forward.
The 31-year-old is not injured, but he has been serving as a healthy scratch, which he’s not happy about.
“It seems that I’ve fallen out of favor and have just been cast aside over an extended period of time,” Vesey said via Larry Brooks of The New York Post. “It feels like I have no role or purpose on this team… “I’m kind of dying by being here.”
Vesey started his career with the Rangers and loved his time with the organization so much that he ultimately came back to New York.
Now though, Vesey is under the impression that his services are no longer needed or wanted.
“I love being a Ranger, and I think everyone knows that. The six years I’ve been here have been the best and most fun I’ve had as a player,” Vesey told Brooks. “But this stretch where I haven’t dressed for the last [nine] games and have no indication that this is going to change, it’s been extremely difficult for me.”
While expressing the value Vesey brings to the team, Peter Laviolette made clear that he won’t make exceptions to any certain player who’s not in the lineup.
“I talked to Jimmy before he addressed you guys,” Laviolette said. “Jimmy is an important piece to this team. Right now we’ve gone with the lineup and like all the guys that aren’t in there, we ask them to keep working hard and wait for their opportunity to come in.
“When we have to use those players, we are more than confident in their abilities to come in and make a difference.”
Vesey’s future in New York is on thin ice and it would be no surprise if he is dealt before the Mar. 7 NHL Trade Deadline.