Quote:
Originally Posted by Coach
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.
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This is the only part of your well thought out post that I disagree with. I think with a child on the way and the knowledge he was going to be a pro for at least the next 10 years, he decided 1) He needed to be Eastern Time Zone, and 2) He needed to be in the same country as his extended family.
Parents who travel will perhaps understand this better than others. If you aren't American it can be difficult to understand how remote and small Canadian cities can feel. Again, only a handful of people here will really "get" it.
It isn't worth 15 million to do that for virtually anyone else, but given where he is in life, I suppose that made sense to him.