[calgARI]

As a fan of the Flames and NHL for a long time, this is an incredibly sad day that testifies to serious downfalls in professional sports. The trees are all in tree museums.

I am an economist and understand the role growth plays. But this league has become too buttoned up and exclusively focused on growth. Free agency is necessary and good. It has led to player movement so that they can be paid their fair share of revenues. But this is a case of mutual desire to stay together for the duration of a player’s career. He is 38 so obviously there were players to prioritize above him for protection. The league has commoditized everything. And the trees are on display for viewers to pay to see.

I am embarrassed to be a fan of this league today that has prioritized growth at the expense of everything. Mark Giordano wanted to play his whole career as a Calgary Flame and the organization wanted him to play his whole career with it. A truly sad state of affairs.