Morning Mashup: Offseason, boring offseason?

by Mislav Jantoljak on July 24, 2012 in Morning Mashup - 1,317 Comments

As hockey fans, we can hardly stand summer. As regular people, most of us love summer. Rick Nash loves summer.

Then, there are days like this, when the weather isn’t nice (at least not in Croatia, not currently), and when all we want to do is sit in front of our hockey news devices (otherwise known as laptops, PCs, general technology) and find some interesting news to get through a rainy day.

Sadly, while most of the hockey world is patiently monitoring the Shea Weber offer sheet situation, Leaf fans are still left wondering about the roster for next season and when the first of, ok not many – but few of Burke‘s dominoes will finally fall.

Yesterday finally offered a destination for Rick Nash, and as it turns out it’s the Big Apple. Nash is heading to New York in exchange for Artem Anisimov, Brandon Dubinsky, Tim Erixon, and a 1st round pick. Scott Howson, ladies and gentlemen.

Just two questions here because, to quote Deadpool (everyone’s favorite comic mercenary/jokester), my common sense is tingling. 1) How can a GM who’s about to be fired or should be fired get to make a call on a trade that will impact the franchise in such a significant way in the following years? 2) How can a GM trade Rick Nash to the Rangers and not push to get Stepan, Kreider, McDonagh or at least a Del Zotto packaged in there?

I’m sure Columbus fans are asking the exact same questions. The answer for their outrage is – Howson did this to himself. It got harder and harder to trade Rick Nash, not just because of the limited market, but because the pressure put on him was rising. Now see question 1) again. The situation wasn’t getting any better and this was probably the return he was realistically going to get. Could he have gotten more, but not at this point in time? He could have, but his name probably wouldn’t be Scott Howson if he did. However, you get the feeling that a trade like this one, with the pieces included here, could have been concluded a while ago had Howson really wanted that back then/thought back then it was all he could get.

Anyway, as  I was saying, we’re all eagerly awaiting that first Burke trade which will signal growth and undoubtedly mean a more positive outlook on next season’s playoff pursuit. Make us happy, eager and very excited, Brian. However, it hasn’t happened yet and as much as we’d all like to have something real (well, for Leafs Nation anyway) to talk about, it’s better that Burke still has plenty of time to make crucial decisions.

As they say, patience is a virtue and, so far, the Leafs’ offseason sucks.

YOUR LINKS:

New pics up at Vintage Leafs

Rick Nash derby finally comes to a close

Versteeg avoids arbitration

Oilers sign Yakupov to an entry-level contract

Lubomir Visnovsky looking to void trade to Islanders, files grievance through NHLPA

Further development in the “Byfuglien, Boat and Booze” case

What should the Predators do with Shea Weber?

Shea Weber contract magnifies disparity in NHL markets

Friedman’s 30 thoughts, “Zach Parise ran the show”

Habs’ Scott Gomez wins car in own charity golf tournament – so many puns here

NHL Numbers podcast – about Shea Weber

New Nation Radio, about Shea Weber and other stuff not Shea Weber

Sabres, Lightning lead list of potential new Eastern playoff teams

Google+

Print article