Looking back now it looks like two mistakes may have been made here: one by each side.
A) Flames likely should have given Gaudreau permission to talk to other teams in advance of the deadline yesterday.
That would have allowed Gaudreau to see what was out there on the market (appears that it might not be great)
And
If there was a good offer the Flames could have tried to work out a sign and trade for that 8th year (I know it's never happened but it was close last year with Hyman and the Oilers, and Gaudreau is a couple levels higher than that)
B) Gaudreau's camp should have never told the Flames or come out and said publicly that it was a "Family Decision" yesterday.
That made it very clear that NJ, PHI, and NYI were likely the only options. And with PHI not having cap, and NYI not really being a real option (IMO) it's really made NJ seem like the only option and they have leverage now.
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