The Predators were afforded the luxury of adding a top-six forward in late March with the expected signing of Harvard forward Jimmy Vesey to an entry-level contract.Only Vesey, the Crimson's senior captain whose impre sive four-year collegiate career ended last week in the NCAA Tournament, made asurprise decision Monday in Xavier Williams Jersey turning downNashville's offer and choosing instead to exercisehis right to become a free agent. Rather than joining the Predators for a playoff run, the 22-year-old will wait until Aug. 15, when he'll becomeone of the more sought-after free agents of the offseason.MORE: "Every indication was that he was going to sign with us," a disappointed David Poile, the Predators' general manager, duringMonday's 4-3 lo s to the Avalanche. "His dad had told me, had told (coach) Peter Laviolette, (director of player development)Scott Nichol, (a sistant GM)Paul Fenton that his son was going to sign with us. And Jimmy himself told Paul Fenton prior to the trade deadline, which was an important time for us because it was our last opportunity to Tyrann Mathieu Jersey change our team. We told him if he was going to sign with us we were going to keep a position available for him, and he told us that he was going to Damien Williams Jersey sign with us."So for whatever reason, and after all the time and resources that we invested in Jimmy Vesey's development, we could not get a meeting with Jimmy, his family and his representatives all together. That's the only thing I asked for after Wednesday and they would not accommodate us on that."Global Hockey Consultants, the agency representing Vesey,did not return calls from seeking comment Monday night.Vesey, drafted in the third round (66th overall)by the Predators in 2012, built areputation as one of the best all-around players in the NCAA during his four seasons at Harvard. His development put him on the fast track to join the Predators and potentially make an immediate impact for a team expected to contend in the playoffs, a la Chris Kreider with the Rangers in 2011-12.Poile said he guaranteed Vesey top-six minutes if he signed with the Predators.He also would have been able to burn Joe Montana Jersey a year on his entry-level contract.But to Vesey, a wingerwho totaled 104 points in 70 games over his finaltwo seasons at Harvard,the allure of creating his own freeagent market and the freedom to hand-pick his destination provedgreater. And there will be no shortage of suitors when that time comes this summer, as more top prospects make their way to the NHLfrom the college ranks than ever before.As for the Predators, they could have used Vesey's offensive boost. A win against Colorado would have locked up a playoff berth, but that slipped through their fingers also.Nashville Bashaud Breeland Jersey isn't in danger of mi sing the postseason with a nine-point cushion over the Avs andsix games to play, but it was left to ponder what could have been Monday instead of looking fondly toward the future.