EJ Hradek – twitter
Lombardi: With Smyth, I’m not in a great position here, but i hope to have it wrapped up in a day or two. maybe he’ll change his mind after the richards deal
Dennis Bernstein (The4thPeriodDB) on Twitter
Ryan Smyth will be dealt within 48 hours per #LAKings Lombardi Huge disadvantage given player demand. […] Awkward situation I’ve never had to deal with. Soap opera that’s been dealing with for month and a half” […] resigned myself with sending Ryan Smyth home. Down to Calgary and Edmonton, tried to move along deal because I have to replace him”
Elliotte Friedman (FriedgeHNIC) on Twitter
Lombardi says Ryan Smyth asked to be traded closer to home for family reasons two months ago. Says he was dealing with three teams, now two.
I expect picks. That would be the pressure to get it done in 48 hours. I am interested in the “maybe he’ll change his mind” quote from Lombardi. Two months ago Smyth said he wanted to be traded somewhere and gave his okay (obviously) re multiple destinations. I guess he just lied about it to protect himself and not screw up any potential deal. Does Lombardi want him to change his mind, really? I guess the whole issue of Smyth mentoring Brayden Schenn is no longer operational.
Why would Mike Richards make Smyth’s family issues go away?