Quote:
Originally Posted by killer_carlson
Let's be clear about something re: Hickey.
The story was that he wanted to finish college. It was never that he did not want to sign. There is a big difference.
That said, the Flames don't move him unless they believe that he's been passed by other prospects or that they believe there is a risk he won't sign next year.
They removed the risk and filled a hole. Smith wasn't my 1st Choice but I like this move due to the salary being retained.
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to be fair, when a player has completed three years of college and the NHL team is aggressively trying to sign you, then the decision to go back has to be a kind of a red flag for the team. I understand players like Gaudreau have finished their degree in the summer, so the decision to reject a contract will understandably raise some eyebrows within the organization. They probably got enough indication out of Hickeys camp that walking as a UFA was a real possibility and acted proactively here.
It sucks, I was really optimistic about Hickey. But with Kylington, Andersson and Fox in the fold, it's not the end of the world.