MSR was originally bought by REI. Not sure when they went to Cascade Designs. That would surely explaiin why MSR products are more sparse now at REI!
Maybe the MSR/Cascade Designs merge is a good thing. I never got the impression that REI put enough into the MSR product, mainly the stoves. Perhaps as a small company the stoves will get the attention they deserve. I know as a former mountaineer the stove could be a matter of life or death actually.