Deadline Day News, Part DUH

Well the least anticipated trade deadline ever came and went and nothing appears to have been done.  This should actually come as no surprise except in looking at this team we were all waiting for something to be done. The awful truth is that this team as it is will accomplish the same--nothing.

The least management could have done is move some or all of the obviously discontented troops (Knuble, Hamrlik, Vokoun) and make for a healthier locker room environment.  Of course that wouldn't clear away the stink caused by Dale Hunter's ceaseless ability to get the least out his players.

Most puzzling of all was why Backstrom was placed on LTIR at all if no move was imminent.  Of course such a move may have been contingent upon whether or not a deal could have been made. Which would have been the most intriguing deal was the one everyone waited for, but never had a chance--Alex Semin.  Lemme 'splain.

In the past, when there was a re-sign to be done, GMGM would do whatever he could to start negotiations and get the player under contract. That is, if he really wanted him under contract.  That never happened with Semin, at least not this year.  So the plan is most likely to ride whatever can be had out of him for what's left of this year, then let him walk.  Stupid, if you ask me.  Because ultimately this is the end result of that plan.

Even if the market is thin for underachieving, overpaid, enigmatic Russian wingers, something is always better than nothing.

So at the end of the day when it was needed the most, George McPhee had an opportunity to improve the team. And he failed to do so. Whether it would have been for the long or short term doesn't matter as what was and still is obvious is that this team will win nothing.  Not as it is now.

I love this team, but if this is a sign that we as fans shouldn't book our playoff tickets in advance, I don't know what is.  I really hope I'm wrong, but I have a feeling I'm not.