Speaking Moistly
What a terrible image.
For sure... GMs can be awfully dumb sometimes. I suppose I wouldn't be shocked to hear there was interest from one or two teams. But I just can't bring myself to fully buy this idea that there was a bidding war or something that necessitated THAT contract. Then again I also said it would take at least another season or two (along with a GM and coach replacement) for anything to happen regarding JJ so what do I know.
Also I don't wanna go too far down this rabbit hole because who cares, now... but I gotta wonder how tradeable JJ was LAST year when the world was "normal?" They even managed to up his value a bit. I wonder if there was an attempt? Maybe he really is that toxic of an asset, even before COVID and the financial fallout/preparations drove the final nail.
I doubt there was a bidding war that forced JR to sign him to that deal. I think there must have some competition to sign him but JR took it to 11 instantly to get his man. The entire signing still makes me wonder what exactly went down, though. Where the f*** did “I know why he was scratched and it wasn’t because of his play” come from? Bullshitting, someone lying, a bad source, their expert analysis of his play?
If the Kessel + JJ for Zucker + Rask was right, they could have flipped him for another bad contract. I think that was his value. Now it makes more sense to buy these contracts out.