Just when you thought the drama surrounding Jimmy Vesey, the star forward out of Harvard University that recently decided to test free agency instead of signing with the , was about to wind down, it got ramped up a few notches Wednesday. Vesey, who scored 56 goals over his last two seasons in college hockey, has been the talk of the NHL over the last few days since his decision became public. Though Vesey is not the first player to use the avenue of exploring free agency after his drafting teams rights to him expire, he certainly is getting more attention for it that most. A lot of that is tied to the fact that he's an exceptional young player. On top of that, however, Predators executives have publicly stated that they were certain Vesey would sign with them. confirmed he would sign with the Predators when asked in early February. That has done a lot to color public perception of the player as the Preds seem to feel misled and that Vesey's alleged a surances affected their trade deadline plans. Veseys camp fired back Wednesday, denying that a surances were given to Nashville that he would sign there. They also explained why Vesey chose this route in limited detail. Heres the statement in full : After being fully advised of his options and upon the recommendation of his advisors and counselors, Jimmy Vesey shall become an Unrestricted Free Agent on August 15, 2016. The Brandon Scanlin Jersey Nashville Predators were informed of this decision. Nashville now claims and it has been widely reported that they were without knowledge of this po sibility and that this lack of knowledge precluded the hockey club from acquiring a player at the Trade Deadline. This contention is not accurate. The Nashville Predators were informed prior to the Trade Deadline that they should conduct their busine s as they saw fit, and that the potential of signing or not signing Jimmy Vesey should not be a factor in their decision. The club has further claimed that the decision to elect Unrestricted Free Agency is bizarre and does not make sense financially. If this election was based solely in regard to money Jimmy would have signed after his third college season, burned a year off of his Entry Level Contract, and been eligible for both signing bonus and salary compensation. A full analysis of his Ron Duguay Jersey options was conducted. Whether Jimmy will lose any money is speculative at best. However, it is believed such a a lo s, if any, can be more than made up as a result of on ice and off ice opportunities in the City and Organization of his choice. Without question there will be excellent opportunities presented to Jimmy and his succe s, including financial succe s on and off the ice, will be determined by hard work, ability and the opportunity to choose the City and Organization that best suits his skill set. The decision to become an Unrestricted free Agent was ultimately determined by what was best for Jimmy Veseys hockey career. This election, although unrelated to the determining hockey factors, will also allow Jimmy to graduate from Harvard University this spring. Jimmy and his family are very proud and pleased that this will indeed happen. The Harvard community and alumni have rallied around him. Jimmy is very appreciative of this support and the fact he will now be able to graduate. According to this statement, Vesey's representatives (agents or for NCAA purposes family advisors) Peter Fish and Pete Donatelli did not confirm anything one way or another for the Preds ahead of the deadline, which conflicts Fenton's claim that Vesey told him he would sign. If that's the case, the writing should have been on the wall, but it does not appear the Predators saw it this way. The comments made by Predators general manager David Poile Ryder Korczak Jersey and Fenton have gotten a lot of attention as execs are not frequently this candid about a situation like this. On top of indicating that they felt a bit misled, they also were critical of the busine s sense this decision made as refrenced in the agents' statement. Poile directly stated that he thought the player was getting bad advice without dropping his agents names. In Poile's defense, the Preds were offering a pretty enticing deal, but as we've learned in prior situations like this, that's not always enough. The CBA as it is written grants this right to Vesey, as it does all drafted players who choose the NCAA path. The opportunity to e sentially be able to pick where to go is an opportunity most players will never get. As noted, it's been a path selected by several others including Blake Wheeler, Kevin Hayes and Justin Schultz among others. Veseys reps are right that if this was all about money, the player should have signed when he had the chance after his junior year. However, he wanted to finish school before making the jump to the pros. The Predators wanted him to immediately sign to join them for the rest of the regular season and playoffs. Harvards commencement isnt until late May. Perhaps that played more of a role than we currently know. That said, Vesey is unquestionably leaving at least some money on the table now. He could have burned a year off his ELC and reached restricted free agency by 2017-18, all while picking up a lucrative signing bonus right away. Now he wont become a RFA until 2018-19. That said, Tomas Sandstrom Jersey if he performs at a high enough level, he could make up for lost time and money by signing a more expensive extension as in restricted free agency. Whether or not he makes that up later will only be decided by his play on the ice with whichever team he signs with. The battle for public opinion is on right now, though. Both sides have drawn criticism for their role in this, but the players are usually the ones who get it the worst. A lot of people can't understand why they wouldn't just stay loyal to the team that invested a draft pick in them. Meanwhile, others wonder why you wouldn't explore any and all options when you have the chance. These situations are all about busine s for both the team and the player, but this is starting to look like its becoming a little personal as well. One Guy Lafleur Jersey thing the statement from the Vesey camp did not mention, however, is any denial regarding a citing an extremeley well-placed source in Boston-area college hoceky that Vesey has eyes for the as his free agent destination of choice. The North Reading, Ma s., native has spent the entirety of his hockey career in the Boston area, so its not a stretch to wonder if the hometown kid wants to stay in his hometown. Additionally, the Bruins are reportedly close to signing draft pick and Boston University star defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, who is reportedly one of Vesey's closest friends. Speculation has also pointed to the as a potential landing spot for Vesey when he becomes eligible to sign on Aug. 15. His father, Jim, is a scout with the team, while younger brother Nolan is a draft choice of Torontos. Anything can happen at this point, though. The kid is going to have options. There are a lot of interesting angles in this whole drama, but things will probably start to quiet down soon as Vesey now has to wait until August before he can sign anything with another team. That's when the debate will intensify once again as it is expected many of the leagues other 29 clubs to try to put themselves in the mix for his services. Jimmy Vesey has been the talk of the NHL for the last three days. (Getty Images)