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Originally Posted by dissentowner
I am the opposite, I think Monahan might get moved at some point but unlikely, I think BT will re-sign Gaudreau who has made it abundantly clear he wants to stay in Calgary regardless of what the people who want to run him out of town (Francis) make up.
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If we’re talking about his post playoff media availability, JG said what any player in his situation would have been told to say by his agent and publicist whether he was sincere about it or not. I would not take his public comments as his absolute truth. I think there’s good reason to believe he could go either way with where he chooses to play. I’m sure there is some truth to him wanting to stay in Calgary though. I don’t doubt the things he has said about liking the team, the organization, and the City. Otherwise he would already be gone.
Seems like there is this widely held belief that JG is bound for Philadelphia one way or another, trade or free agency. I’m not so quick to believe that. Would there be any American market where the spotlight would be brighter for him? Is that what JG really wants? Maybe, but what would it be like for him, or his family, if he puts up 0 even strength points in the playoffs and the Flyers get bounced in round 1 year in year out. Not too comfortable I would imagine. It is well documented Philadelphia is not a forgiving sports town. I would not want to be the underperforming hometown boy in that town. He would probably have to buy a home in The Oakanagan just to go hide during the summers. Eric D touched on this in an article he had wrote about a year ago. Playing at home is not what all these guys want to do. His current situation is probably ideal in many ways. He gets to play for a competitive team and go home during the offseason where he’s still a local folk hero. It’s clean that way.
Just speculation on my part, but i’d wager JG has a list of 4-5 teams he would prioritize and Calgary is on that list. On the other hand, if the Flames don’t have any playoff success in the next two years, the Flames may not want to resign him anyway. It’s a two way street and I’m not convinced either party is prepared to throw on the engagement ring yet no matter what is said publicly.