Quote:
Originally Posted by powderjunkie
I think the Flames are more likely to keep Chucky without Gaudreau. I don't think Gaudreau weighs heavily in Chucky's decision - we hit his number or we don't.
If anything, I think he might be a bit less likely to go for a 1 year 'contract year' without Gaudreau than he would with him.
My personal prediction is Johnny leaves (70%) and they sign Chucky around 8x9.75M. Depending on how the season goes they may still move him before any trade protection kicks in. I also think this would warrant the best return compared to trading him with contract uncertainty.
The flip side is the team may stop 'deferring' so much to him to make things happen.
I think the team will be worse in the regular season, but has a chance to be better in the playoffs - with more cap for better depth, and I just don't think Johnny's gamebreaking ability happens enough in the post-season compared to guys like Kucherov/MacKinnon/McDavid/Draisaitl.
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Gaudreau did lead the Flames in scoring in the playoffs by 4 points and 6 points over anyone not on his line.