Vesey says there's no favorite to sign him, father insists Leafs job won't impact choice

Jimmy Vesey says no NHL team has the inside track to signing him, and his father doesn't expect his employment as a scout to affect his son's choice.

The 22-year-old forward and his father, Jim Vesey, Sr., spoke to the media Friday for the first time since informing the Nashville Predators of his decision to enter free agency.

The Veseys told Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe that they have no favorite when it comes to Jimmy's NHL destination, and he hasn't made up his mind about whether to sign with the Boston Bruins.

"There are 29 teams I can look at, and I'll find the best fit for me," Jimmy said.

The elder Vesey told Dupont that he'd suggest his son not sign with the Bruins because of the pressure that comes with playing in his home state, but said it's his son's choice to make.

''My advice, personally, (is that) I'd like to see him start somewhere (other than Boston) ... as a dad," Jim said.

Jimmy was born in Massachusetts and spent four seasons at Harvard. He was named the recipient of the Hobey Baker Award as the top NCAA men's hockey player Friday.

Jim works as a scout with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but says that won't impact his son's decision.

The Nashville Predators selected Jimmy in the third round of the 2012 draft, but he opted to return for his senior season at Harvard rather than signing with them last spring, then informed the club last month that he planned to test free agency instead of signing with Nashville before the Aug. 15 deadline.