If the Flames still want to try to win now, they cannot afford to wait for Johnny's decision if he chooses to go to free agency.
They will most certainly be swinging for the fences and trying to get either Forsberg or Kadri IMO.
Now, let's say they do sign a guy like Forsberg for example. They will still be able to sign Johnny if they circle back to each other. It would just mean that they would have to trade Tkachuk for some sort of future laden package. Maybe even Mangiapane too, depending on what happens with Monahan and Lucic. Obviously I'm a big fan of Tkachuk, but that wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen either IMO.
Bring in Forsberg as a Tkachuk replacement, bring Johnny back, and then get some sort of nice haul for Tkachuk.
However, I still maintain that if Gaudreau hits the market, he's gone.
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