So I’ve scrolled through all 18 pages hoping there would be some new information, some explanation for what transpired.
Nope, the only thing I’ve seen so far is the Aaron Portzline article which has some quotes from Johnny that don’t actually make a lot of sense:
Quote:
“I’d never been to Columbus before until I made it to the NHL, so when I started playing there I didn’t know what I was walking into, and I was just … ‘Wow!'” Gaudreau told The Athletic by phone late Wednesday. “They’ve always had great crowds, really into the game. I said to myself then, ‘This looks like a really fun place to play.’
“But it was more than that. I played in the (world championships) with Zach Werenski. I’ve known Eric Robinson for like 15-20 years. And some former guys, like Cam Atkinson and Dalton Prout … those guys were just like, ‘You’re going to absolutely love the place.'”
|
You’re friends with a guy on the team, played with another guy at a tournament, and got the thumbs up from Atkinson and Dalton ****ing Prout? Really?
This quote is kind of a gut punch though:
Quote:
Gaudreau said he was blissfully unaware of the hockey world’s response to his signing. He hadn’t been on Twitter all day, he said.
“It’s all outside noise to me,” Gaudreau said. “I’m super excited about where I’m at. I think it was a great decision for me and my wife and we’re just over the moon right now. Super excited.”
|
Probably a good thing you didn’t read anything on Twitter today Johnny. But part of that “noise” was some of your devoted fan base that treated you and your family like royalty for the past 8 years. No thanks, no statement, no video, no nothing. Must have been a tough decision indeed.
I’ll reserve judgment until more information comes out because I have to believe there is more to the story. Not going to blame the agent or anyone else until then. But if NJ was ready to sign him, what was the problem? Did he like Columbus that much? I refuse to believe he didn’t sign with the Devils because he didn’t “like” them as a kid growing up near Philly. And why did the door slam on returning to Calgary — did something irreparable happen during the negotiation that tipped it from “I’m going to test the market” to “I’m not coming back”? So many questions.
Personally I think the one thing I maybe overestimated was the hockey side and his desire to compete and win, particularly in the playoffs. It was almost like the spotlight this year — on one of the top teams in a Canadian market, the first round against Dallas and then the meltdown in the Battle of Alberta — was more than he wanted at this stage of his life and career. Because Columbus makes little sense from a hockey perspective (IMO), and the quotes from Johnny don’t suggest otherwise.