Everyone has been shook by the Columbus choice, but why is that any different from Philly from a Flames perspective? In either case the result is exactly the same. Johnny had a timeline to make a decision, he used that entire timeline, perhaps wavered back and forth, and in the end left the Flames at the alter. The Flames (should) know that they had little leverage at this point, and they should know how free agency works. I agree that the Flames current situation is on them. As an organization you make decisions knowing the risks, you figure out contingencies for that risk and you deal with it if that risk comes to fruition. Gaudreau's dumb decision has no bearing on that. He was never accountable to tell the team his decision before the clock struck 12.
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A few weeks after crashing head-first into the boards (denting his helmet and being unable to move for a little while) following a hit from behind by Bob Errey, the Calgary Flames player explains:
"I was like Christ, lying on my back, with my arms outstretched, crucified"
-- Frank Musil - Early January 1994
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