Four teams are in the running for prized free agent.

Although he won't technically become a free agent until Aug. 15, Jimmy Vesey is still the hottest commodity on  the market right now.

At this point, that appears unlikely, meaning the 23-year-old college standout will take some meetings and explore his options before hand-picking his team of choice with whom to sign his entry-level deal.

"I think we have a small number of teams that I think we'll really be focusing on," Vesey said. "So, Aug. 15 we'll start talking to them and see what they say."

Over his past two seasons at Harvard, Vesey scored 56 goals and added 48 assists in 70 games, giving NHL teams a taste of what's hopefully to come at the NHL level. He is also a physical presence, as he is listed as 6-foot-3, 203 pounds.

The Sabres, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and Chicago Blackhawks are believed to be the front-runners for the 66th overall pick at the 2012 NHL Draft.

"Free agency's done and I think most of the bigger names are off the board," Vesey said. "Now you've got to start sifting through teams and rosters and prospect pools and stuff like that. So I think I'm starting to get more and more excited as the days go on because I'm really looking forward to finding out where I'm going to be."

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