Out the door, but not without a quick post!
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Another day, another Dis or Dat.
I don't have a lot of time this morning for a grandiose post, as I have to be out the door in a couple hours to take care of some errands much of the day, and still have to eat, shower, exercise, and change (not in that order, mind you), but I just wanted to comment on a couple of things really quickly.
First off, as was heard in the middle of the day yesterday, defensive prospect, 2005 2nd round pick Adam McQuaid has decided that he wanted to hardball the Blue Jackets with entry level contract salaries that the CBJ just could not handle during this time of transition, and thus was dealt to the Boston Bruins (who rather quickly were able to sign him, interestingly enough), in return for a 5th round pick in this year's draft.
Now I have a couple qualms with what apparently McQuaid did, considering that scouting reports had listed him as an up-and-coming good defensive prospect for the Jackets down the road (and we all know the Jackets desperately need some blue line help, even if it is later and now sooner). First off, it seems interesting to me that no sooner had Boston gotten their hands on McQuaid's rights, they were able to sign him in mere seconds. That leaves a rather bitter taste in my mouth ... as though ol' McQuaid and his agent were purposefully seeking a way to force Columbus to send him elsewhere, despite the fact that the Jackets are currently not in the best of positions to sign anyone, prospect or otherwise.
... and there was something else I wanted to say about this, but my brain just sort of deflated on the topic, since I'm in a bit of a hurry. I'll try to amend that second thought in when I come home later!
But besides prospect issues, some news on the GM search has finally reared its head. Aaron Portzline reports that Neil Smith, who was not only the 40-day GM of the New York Islanders this season but also the one who brought together the 1994 Stanley Cup-winning New York Rangers' team, has passed through the doors into Nationwide Arena for his interview with President Mike Priest.
From a bare minimal standpoint, Smith seems like a good person to interview. Regardless of what one may think of what happened on Long Island, Smith was in essence the person who put together the 2006-07 Islanders roster, with the exception of a tweak or two down the line. Now, mind you those tweaks that Smith didn't have a role in (Ryan Smyth) were what pushed the Isles into the playoffs on the last day of the season, but he was able to beat practically all expectations that pundits had about the ol' Isles in just 40 days (like John Buccigross thinking they'd finish dead last in the East). This shows me that he still has a bit of a magic touch, even after all that time off between his Rangers' GM role and short-lived Isles' GM role.
Beyond that, Don Boyd, the Jackets' director of player personnel, has already has interview ... and Jim Clark is still waiting on his, which looks to be coming sometime today or tomorrow. Additionally, pro scouting director Bob Strumm has tossed his hat into the ring, so we'll see where that goes, if anywhere.
And that's all I got, folks. I'm out!
I don't have a lot of time this morning for a grandiose post, as I have to be out the door in a couple hours to take care of some errands much of the day, and still have to eat, shower, exercise, and change (not in that order, mind you), but I just wanted to comment on a couple of things really quickly.
First off, as was heard in the middle of the day yesterday, defensive prospect, 2005 2nd round pick Adam McQuaid has decided that he wanted to hardball the Blue Jackets with entry level contract salaries that the CBJ just could not handle during this time of transition, and thus was dealt to the Boston Bruins (who rather quickly were able to sign him, interestingly enough), in return for a 5th round pick in this year's draft.
Now I have a couple qualms with what apparently McQuaid did, considering that scouting reports had listed him as an up-and-coming good defensive prospect for the Jackets down the road (and we all know the Jackets desperately need some blue line help, even if it is later and now sooner). First off, it seems interesting to me that no sooner had Boston gotten their hands on McQuaid's rights, they were able to sign him in mere seconds. That leaves a rather bitter taste in my mouth ... as though ol' McQuaid and his agent were purposefully seeking a way to force Columbus to send him elsewhere, despite the fact that the Jackets are currently not in the best of positions to sign anyone, prospect or otherwise.
... and there was something else I wanted to say about this, but my brain just sort of deflated on the topic, since I'm in a bit of a hurry. I'll try to amend that second thought in when I come home later!
But besides prospect issues, some news on the GM search has finally reared its head. Aaron Portzline reports that Neil Smith, who was not only the 40-day GM of the New York Islanders this season but also the one who brought together the 1994 Stanley Cup-winning New York Rangers' team, has passed through the doors into Nationwide Arena for his interview with President Mike Priest.
From a bare minimal standpoint, Smith seems like a good person to interview. Regardless of what one may think of what happened on Long Island, Smith was in essence the person who put together the 2006-07 Islanders roster, with the exception of a tweak or two down the line. Now, mind you those tweaks that Smith didn't have a role in (Ryan Smyth) were what pushed the Isles into the playoffs on the last day of the season, but he was able to beat practically all expectations that pundits had about the ol' Isles in just 40 days (like John Buccigross thinking they'd finish dead last in the East). This shows me that he still has a bit of a magic touch, even after all that time off between his Rangers' GM role and short-lived Isles' GM role.
Beyond that, Don Boyd, the Jackets' director of player personnel, has already has interview ... and Jim Clark is still waiting on his, which looks to be coming sometime today or tomorrow. Additionally, pro scouting director Bob Strumm has tossed his hat into the ring, so we'll see where that goes, if anywhere.
And that's all I got, folks. I'm out!
Labels: Dis or Dat, GM search, trades
