[Coach]

Well, I'm going on a much earned vacation and want to put the phone and computer away for a while. But I have a lot of thoughts on the last few days and feel like I won't be able to do that without getting them out somewhere, so read if you want.

When Iginla, Kipper and Regehr et al made their exits, it was, by that point, a welcome change. Sad to see legends leave, and returns were mostly underwhelming, but largely there was a feeling of needing to turnover and move on. We thought we were in for a tough haul without much hope in the pipeline or on the younger side outside of a blossoming Brodie, Gio flirting with #1 capabilities, a promising young center, and a diminutive winger lighting up the NCAA with (completely speculative) rumblings of wanting to loophole his way to the East.

That group would yield some surprising early results, largely built on the back of the addition of Gaudreau's unique skillset to the squad. After early struggles to adapt, he eventually was able to bring his slippery game to the NHL level. He brought a dynamic to the team that many fans had never seen before, giving the building a buzz of excitement every time he touched the puck. For all Iginla did for this team, I don't remember ever remember the feeling of anticipating something never-before-seen that Johnny could provide. One of the most, if not THE most entertaining players to wear the Flaming C.

Since the additions of Lindholm, Tkachuk, Hanafin, and the growth of Mangiapagne, Andersson, Kylington, etc... I've been optimistic that this team can be a Cup contending squad. But the floundering under Gulutzan, Peters and Ward, and my personal issue with the NHL product overall, had my interest waning extremely fast. I remember after the loss to the Sens talking to a non-hockey fan friend that It was over for me. I didn't want to waste my time watching this anymore. Then a few hours later, Sutter. And I had to see the outcome. So I was pulled back in.

It took a bit longer than I hoped, but this past season was exactly what I hoped and expected from this squad since Peters. It was fun to be a fan again. And Gaudreau in particular seemed to have reached a different level of growth as a player and person. And the contract scenario was out there, but the team seemed so tight knit, and he was having such an explosive year along side his teammates, I wasn't very worried to be honest. Watching that Game 7 OT goal felt like those old Nestea commercials where people take a sip and just fall backwards into a refreshing pool. I really thought we could get to at least the semis before running into COL. I'd be fine with bowing out to them in a good series. Hated going out against the Oil, and it wasn't the best finish, but it was a fun season. And it gave me hope that we had maybe a good 3-4 years of that. Pushes into the final 4 or even 2.

Even as contract talks came down to the final days and hours, I honestly wasn't worried. In fact, I thought that the tighter it dragged out like that, the more likely it was he would signed and it was all just a little cheeky posturing given his RFA strong-arming. But I truly thought if he planned on leaving he would have informed the Flames at least before the draft out of courtesy. And honestly, there just didn't seem like better options for him but to sign a deal for $10+ with the Flames.

Then when it broke he wouldn't return, I was very disappointed as I think we all were. And, I think like most of us, I wish it hadn't dragged like that. But also, I think again like most of us, I respect that he has his options and given the chance to play near home for a storied team from his area (potentially even his childhood dream team). Sucks as a fan of the team he's leaving, but I get it. I'd probably do something similar or at least be very drawn to seeing what my options are. But then when it was Columbus. For way less money. It just... didn't make sense. Still really doesn't in MY brain. But I think multiple dominos fell here that ended up where we are.

I think Johnny and his family have been discussing his options for a long time obviously. I think after the season he and his wife sat down and really chatted about where they'd like to be, keeping literally all options open. And when it came to the final few destinations there were some obvious ones (East coast) and probably some not so obvious ones (I'd be surprised if they weren't considering places like Detroit, California, and other small market teams like Nashville and Columbus). I don't doubt Columbus was in fact on their short list from the beginning.

Columbus is by all accounts a very nice little city. They have a good fan base but isn't hockey mad. There are good options for his wife in the area. As a competitive player, it could be looked at a number of ways. Maybe he really does just want to be out of the spotlight, quietly putting up 80-90pts, make some good money, and not worry too much about the pressure of winning. He could also see a cool opportunity to be not "one of the best a team has seen" but "the very best a team has ever seen". Columbus has had some fine players, but Gaudreau could build a legacy there too. One that has him being the face of a franchise that's never really had that face (sure there was Nash, but he was always pretty meh). Could really build some hockey love in Ohio, which could be cool.

I do think his agent f***ed up. I think by dragging it out they didn't allow Johnny's prime destinations (Philly, NY) time to plan for adding him. And when they couldn't, Johnny's camp reached out to the next tier of teams he was interested (I wouldn't be surprised if there were 2-3 more that just didn't have the capacity to add him).

I also think that something happened in the final hour(s) of Calgary negotiations that made it too hard to go back to them. I do think there was (at one time) the possibility that he could go to UFA, see the offers, and still return to the Flames on 7 year deal (so silly they can't keep offering the 8 after FA deadline). But that opportunity was smashed by the whole unsaid whatever that feels like it's hanging over everything. Something was said or done by someone involved that just made it an issue of self-respect/ego (not necessarily for just Johnny) to go back. Like a bad break up, where maybe you could and should go back, but things were said and done that just make it impossible. I wish we knew what these were, but probably never will.

It felt pretty rough for a while. Here I was excited about a few years of competitiveness and now the best player is gone. But we still have one of the games top LWers. And one of the games best 2-way C's. And one of the games best G's. And a D core that is pretty consistently strong through the lineup. And one of the games best EVER coaches. And decent forward depth. And some room to spend. And Zadorov.

So I'm optimistic about the future of the Flames, despite this harsh blow and the animosity around it. It is unfortunate. I have been a big fan of Gaudreau since his draft and all the way through. Would have loved to seem him stay here his whole career. And honestly would have even been happy for him and the Columbus fans if he had acted in better faith. But it's left a sour taste in this fan's mouth. Probably in the mouths of a lot of his teammates too. Hopefully motivates them to be better all around.

This said, I'll take a break for a while from paying to close attention to the team and hockey overall. If you read this....well good on ya.

Go Flames Go.