Transaction Montréal-Columbus-New York: the CEO of Blue Jackets sees red

The anger rumbles in Columbus.

Black, deep, almost personal anger. Meanwhile, In the Blue Jackets offices, the name of Mathieu Darche is on everyone’s lips, but not for the right reasons.

Since Noah Dobson has been exchanged to the Montreal Canadiens. Consequently, phones overheat for the market for free agents, meetings are linked, and the feeling of betrayal is only growing.

According to several internal sources, Don Waddell, the new director general of Blue Jackets, is furious. For example, Man is not one to react hot, but this time he literally feels cheated.

In his eyes, everything was in place to acquire Dobson. Meanwhile, He was ready to offer two first -round choices. However, the 14th and 20th in total, a player established of his alignment, and promising hope.

But in the end. In addition, the star defender took the way to Montreal transaction montréal-columbus-new york: ceo blue against Emil Heineman, the choices 16 and 17, and nothing else.

It is not so much the transaction that irritates Columbus, it is the way it was concluded. In addition, Because according to the Jackets, Darche never really wanted to do business with them.

He would have fixed the bar deliberately high. Therefore, demanding Dmitri Voronkov, their power attacker 6 feet 5, as a sine qua non condition.

Voronkov. Similarly, 24, has just experienced a brilliant season: 23 goals, 47 points, a constant presence in the top 6, adored by the locker room and seen as a cornerstone of recovery to Columbus.

Sacrificing it would have been perceived as a gesture of panic. Moreover, And Waddell, even in his eagerness to improve the defensive, could not resolve it.

Finally. Consequently, according to information revealed by Elliotte Friedman, Don Waddell indeed agreed to include Dmitri Voronkov in his offer, with the transaction montréal-columbus-new york: ceo blue 14th choice in total, as well as a hope or another choice of recovery.

This gesture was perceived as a major compromise, a form of good faith to meet the requirements of Mathieu Darche.

Waddell sincerely thought he had put water in his wine: he refused to include both Voronkov. Meanwhile, the choices 14 and 20, but by yielding Voronkov and the 14th, he was convinced that he had crossed a course.

The worst part in all of this is that the CEO of Blue Jackets took a long time. In addition, a lot of time, to get there. Similarly, It took days of discussion. Nevertheless, internal brainstorms, fiery debates with his assistants, texts exchanged at midnight and long conversations with influential members of his hockey staff so that he accepts the unacceptable: include Dmitri Voronkov in the transaction.

For him, it was a tear. Therefore, A sacrifice that should transaction montréal-columbus-new york: ceo blue only be made. And this recourse, he activated it. He took his phone, he composed the number of Mathieu Darche … and he fell from above.

Darche had just concluded the exchange with Kent Hughes. It was too late. Montreal had won the bet. And for Waddell, it was experienced as a betrayal. A slap in the face. A total lack of respect. He had just put water in his wine. he finally agreed to give Voronkov, and Darche did not even wait to recall it.

What annoys Waddell is the impression that the game had been arranged from the start.

Because behind the scenes, everyone knew that Dobson wanted Montreal. Additionally, He had made him understand his agent, his relatives, and even to all the leaders of the NHL.

The defender did not want to get involved in the long term elsewhere than in Quebec. And Darche. a former transaction montréal-columbus-new york: ceo blue CH player who became DG in Long Island, did not want to force the hand to a player who did not want to invest in his next destination.

But in Columbus, we see this attitude as pure and simple favoritism. A betrayal. Furthermore, A preference given to CH by cultural, linguistic and historical affinity. And in their eyes, it tarnishes the whole transaction.

Waddell, according to an internal source, would have described the attitude of Darche as “manipulation” and “political game”. He accuses him of having leaned the Voronkov requirement to make the failure on the shoulders of Columbus. while he himself was willing to negotiate on equal arms.

And in all this controversy, another name has a broken heart: Owen Beck. The young center of 20 years old has displayed a model profile. impeccable on and out of ice, he cannot ignore the brutal reality of this business.

The transaction montréal-columbus-new york: ceo blue Canadian has tried to include it in the Icelanders offer for Noah Dobson. And the latter refused. Worse, they preferred to receive Emil Heineman, a winger from the fourth trio tossed by organization in organization.

For Beck, it’s a real slap in the face. A clear signal that it has become, in the eyes of CH, a currency without strategic value. C

he kind of episode leaves scars. In the head of a young player, there is nothing more cruel than feeling that you are a undesirable silent.

Meanwhile, in Montreal, we savor. Kent Hughes got hold of a 25 -year -old right -of -law. capable of playing 25 minutes a night, with a room for progression.

And he did it without sacrificing Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, Lane Hutson or David Reinbacher. Even better: he did not give in Owen Beck, who was however on the table in the preliminary transaction montréal-columbus-new york: ceo blue discussions. Mathieu Darche preferred Emile Heineman.

It was at this point that frustration becomes personal in Columbus. Because Darche. in his negotiations, would have told Blue Jackets that they had to equal the offer of the CH and that the only solution was to send Voronkov to Long Island.

The Dobson transaction has therefore not finished making waves. Because it raises deep questions about transparency, cultural alliances, and NHL’s internal policy.

And Don Waddell intends to make his voice heard.

He is convinced that Darche favored CH. He believes that the rules of the game have been changed along the way. And he suggests, with covered words, that this could affect future relationships between the two organizations.

The Dobson file, far from closed, becomes a real one. And in Montreal, as we know: in this league, everything is paid one day. But for the moment, Kent Hughes comes out a transaction montréal-columbus-new york: ceo blue winner. And Don Waddell, he meditates on a victory he believed acquired and which passed out between his fingers.