i'm not sure that there's much merit to the story that florida wanted lasak. at the time, they had mason and hurme...and trading mason and lasak wouldn't make a whole lot of sense. originally, florida had planned on JUST putting mason on waivers, but then the whole confusion happened and hurme AND mason were claimed. it wasn't "cruel" of nashville, it was necessary. Lasak was given the chance to earn the backup role, and he didn't do well enough. Mason was someone that had played in Nashville before, and was a more reliable choice...though with less upside. Mase played great for us, especially when Vokoun was out a few games with the flu. he absolutely stole a couple of games for us, including a game in which we came back from being down 2-0 against the avalanche with 8 people out of the lineup. The team needed a solid backup they KNEW they could count on...Mase was that backup, Lasak wasn't.
As for Jan saying he'll "never play for Nashville," I think that's probably only half his choice. Brian Finley is getting closer to moving up to the NHL to start backing Vokoun(probably after another season or at most two) and then Finland's Teemu Lassila will come over to be the starter in Milwaukee. Those are our two future goaltenders, and there simply isn't a spot for Jan, anymore...though the Nashville fans liked him and wish him luck.