This definitely has a similar feel of a breakup with an ex and the various stages of grief and acceptance that it was over.
For 16 years Iginla was our one and only. We loved him and he loved us it was always meant to workout in the end but it didn’t. A breakup was necessary and both sides knew it and we parted ways a amicable as you could. We hoped we would find that love again.
2 years later we were all smitten with a new player. In some ways he was the opposite of Iggy. Instead of being a power forward goal scorer Gaudreau was a small shifty playmaker but we could see he was something special. For 8 years the love for Gaudreau grew as he had a few seasons where he was a top player in the league. Twice the Flames had their best seasons since 89 and twice the team got out of the first round but never got as far as Iggy took the team in 04. While many of us thought that one day soon a breakup could be on the horizon Johnny continued to tell us that he wanted to be here and he loved the city and organization. We hoped to lock it down with him and his next contract would have signed him for 8 more years which would have matched the 16 years Iggy was with us when the contract ended. Johnny had the chance to bring the cup here, break many of Iginla’s records for points and games played.
Our deep down fears were realized on Tuesday when he told the team he wasn’t coming back. He gave us the “it’s not you it’s me” line stating he needs to go home. Many were upset but I think many understood and accepted it as we all felt this was a legit possibility. We wake up Wednesday thinking he is going to home state New Jersey, hometown Philly, or the big apple on Long Island. To our shock as dismay he chose the lowly Blue Jackets of Columbus Ohio. Literally the most mediocre franchise in the league. Never won their division, only once getting past the first round, another market that is used to being dumped by the players they love.
My initial reaction was laughter. “He left us for those losers?” “He must of thought he was going to have teams lined up but had to settle for those clowns” “good we won’t hear about Johnny anymore playing in that irrelevant market” I personally was happy. It was the same as seeing your ex now dating some loser who is short, ugly, and works a low wage job. The emotions change a little as we start to question the decision. Why would he leave Calgary to go play in that dump? It is closer to home but not that close. He left $15M on the table to ditch us for them. We won the division last year, they missed the playoffs by 20pts. He must not care about his legacy, maybe all the stuff he said was BS lip service? The laughter turned to anger and the organization/fans have the right to feel embarrassed. Columbus? Really? Do you hate Calgary? Do you hate Canada? Why leave what you built here to go to that place? We were close to winning now it feels far away. We don’t know whether we should tear it down, trudge along with the current group, or throw money at the next player that gives us some attention (Kadri).
I feel like it will be easier to move on knowing Johnny is in a market that is league wide irrelevant. Time will heal the wounds but I do not blame those who want to boo him when he comes to town next year. We all thought a breakup was possible but I don’t think any of us saw him leaving us for them. Especially for $15M less. It is hard to not take it personally as a Canadian and Calgarian that’s for sure.
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