The Nashville Predators say they expected Harvard standout Jimmy Vesey to sign with them before the trade deadline, but the prospect's representatives reportedly told the club the opposite.

The Predators were told of Vesey's decision a few days before the deadline, "in order for the team to conduct business unrelated to him," a league source told ESPN's Joe McDonald.

Nashville general manager David Poile and assistant GM Paul Fenton both claim that Vesey told the Predators he would sign with them prior to the deadline, and Fenton said Tuesday that the team changed its deadline plans thinking Vesey would sign there.

McDonald's league source said Wednesday that the Predators should have approached the deadline knowing Vesey wouldn't be joining them, and that if there was any miscommunication between the two sides, it was "cleared up" before Feb. 29.

Vesey's reps were surprised by Poile's insinuation Monday night that the 22-year-old "received bad advice and bad counsel," according to the report.

The Predators' 2012 third-round pick informed Nashville he would not be signing with them earlier this week, instead opting for unrestricted free agency beginning on Aug. 15.

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