600-Game NHL Veteran & Former Maple Leaf Expected to Walk Away From the NHL

Ex-Maple Leafs winger Jimmy Vesey is likely KHL-bound after he failed to re-sign with the Colorado Avalanche in the summer.

As of this moment, in an article by RG Media, it is reported that Jimmy Vesey is wanted by multiple KHL clubs, including Ak Bars Kazan, Dinamo Minsk, and the Kunlun Red Star of China.

The 32-year-old 2012 second-rounder ended up within the Avalanche organization after being scooped up in the Ryan Lindgren deal, also acquiring prospect Hank Kempf, at last summer's trade deadline.

A Harvard man, Vesey played in 10 regular-season Colorado team games, logging a goal and an assist. He did not play in the playoffs, and he could not even find a job among the populated Avalanche's lower six.

Though he is experienced and contributing in a depth role, Colorado decided not to bring back Vesey.

Having only about $3.35 million in projectable cap space, the Avalanche already made their outside moves in the summer, for example, trading Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood.

Bringing back Vesey would have been a luxury that they simply could not afford. The Avalanche also have in-house lower-six talent of their own in the likes of Nikita Prischepov, Ivan Ivan, and Danil Gushchin that reduce the chances of Vesey being able to make the team.

A veteran of over 500 NHL games, Vesey also played for the Rangers, Sabres, Canucks, Devils, and Maple Leafs. But now, with limited interest in the NHL, he is all set to be granted a second lease of life and a larger role in Russia.