Quote:
Originally Posted by iggyntangs
Take this for what it's worth, but here's what I heard from a source (close to the Flames organization, I'm sure biased).
But earlier Tuesday, Gross came up with an ultimatum offer that said the Flames had to match, take it or leave it otherwise Gaudreau would test free agency.
The Flames by mid-day, met the offer to a tee and Gross and Gaudreau went radio silent for the rest of the day.
Came back hours before the FA deadline and were informed Gaudreau was testing FA (because of his family, wife specifically) to move out East.
Edwards was part of either that or one of these final calls (believe Treliving had a separate private call with Johnny directly after as well). But I'm the Edwards call, he flipped out and called out Johnny for playing games, wasting their time and handcuffing them, in a really unprofessional manner to do this after they met their exact ask.
The part I'm personally speculating about now is this is probably why Johnny hasn't really addressed The Flames, fans and etc. directly yet, likely very stung by the whole ordeal but I also think he knows he really botched this.
Last piece I'm personally speculating about is that I do not think Columbus was very high on his list but his wife was very open to it, especially after everything else fell thru on their top destination(s).
Take the above for what you will.
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End of the day he didn't stand up for himself and he knows it. Its fine to throw in the towel on Calgary if AHS was
that bad of an experience for her, but to then not land on a team around your home turf and have to give that up too for Columbus, just because it was approval worthy? At least find a compromise there. It's his life though, but that's undoubtedly going to suck later.
When CBJ inevitably sucks from a hockey perspective for most of the duration of it he's not going to be a very satisfied guy with his hockey decisions. Hopefully the family stuff works out for him well. Columbus seems like Calgary used to be. Probably a good environment. But.... he done goofed on the hockey side of things.
Man, just what a ####y way to conclude the relationship between player and team that was entirely preventable even if he didn't land here.
The Flames even gave him his alleged terms. It's just negotiating in bad faith. Pulled the rug out from under the team. Even if he didn't mean to, he did. Clarity with his wife and then subsequent clarity with the team would've saved all of the lingering bad taste and burnt bridges.
Without question, Johnny didn't step up here and communicate and he doesn't have any one else to blame. This is why communication is essential.