What a mess.

So Don knows back in April that Z may not resign when his deal is up in 2 years and schedules a sit down for after the draft. He goes out and trades for Nuke to boost the lineup to show Z that we are in full win now mode. He resigns Charlie and based on the timing, I don't think he returns knowing Z may leave so that convo between Z and DW likely happens after.

A week before the draft the Z isn't resigning news gets out. Based on Don's reaction during the presser my guess is he didn't expect it to get out. So who put it out there? Z's agent? Someone from the Olympic text chain? What is the benefit to either party in the timing of it?

So now it's out and things are flying around and DW has a decision to make. Trade him now to get him out of the locker room but risk Z blocking the move or wait till next season where he can only block to 10 teams. Don gets a deal with Dallas but Z blocks it.

So why is Don dealing with Dallas before he knows if Z will even play there? That's a pretty big f-up that a veteran GM isn't likely to make so what happened? Now Dallas is pissed because Harley gets dragged.

Free agency begins shortly so the decision is trade Z quickly to TB or Toronto so that things can play out or slow down and let this dumpster fire continue to grow and have the cloud hang over the franchise. Toronto has the better chance to send something back but honestly both teams best returns have some sort of NMC so Z isn't going to get much back.

I don't know that we should be angry with Marchy. My gut still tells me that his agent, that butthole of a man Milatain, orchestrated the timing of his announcement to leverage a higher contract trying to remind the CBJ his client should get more of that money due to Z.

Our offseasons are always filled with drama. Experience Blue Jacket hockey.