It is so crystal clear the key situation that needs to be settled this summer is Gaudreau he absolutely needs to be either extended or traded. Considering the organization has disappointed and failed to take a meaningful step forward through the first 5 years of Gaudreau’s contract I think the writing is on the wall.
How can the organization justify giving the player a raise and committing long term when they have failed to do anything other than win the division once in the first 7 years of Johnny’s career where he basically became the franchise player from his rookie season onward.
How can the player look at how the team has performed through his first 7 years in the league and decide this is where he wants to continue to play and chase a cup. We all know Johnny is from the north east USA, we know he is engaged to a girl from Philly, we know he doesn’t like to fly. He has many choices on where he can play but his fiancé is in Philly which is his hometown and also where his best buddy from college plays on a long term deal.
The Flames absolutely cannot enter next season with Johnny on the team and him remaining a pending UFA.
I could see a scenario where the Flames turnover this group by trading Gaudreau and Monahan and losing Gio to Seattle.
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