[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

From all the insider information throughout the 2400+ posts in the Gaudreau thread, here is my summary of events:

1. After elimination, Flames offered him 8x9.5M

2. Gaudreau was undecided but his family/wife was pushing for him to leave Canada because of Covid travel restrictions, distance, etc. He is also welcoming his first child soon.

3. His heart was clearly on his home town team, the Flyers, but the Flames remained a serious option for him.

4. Tuesday the 12th - the Gaudreau camp issued an ultimatum to the Flames to match an offer of 8x10.5M + other conditions otherwise they would go to Free Agency. This is basically seen as handshake deal from the Flames side to meet their requests and the deal is done.

5. The Flames went out of their way to meet all the requests but got radio silence in return.

6. The Gaudreau camp finally responds at the 11th hour that despite meeting the ultimatum that they would go to free agency after all. At this point Murray Edwards reportedly broke out in anger and heavily admonished the Gaudreau side for reneging, handcuffing the team, dealing in bad faith, and unprofessionalism.

7. July 13th - The Gaudreau camp saw all the signs that the Flyers (the number 1 choice) were clearing cap space and assumed they would send an offer but no offer was forthcoming. They then turned to the Devils which offered a deal of 7x9M+ but there were snags in the negotiations such as they would not include a no trade clause.

8. Columbus announced their interest and Gaudreau's wife approved this choice as she had a lot of family in the area. That there is a famous children's hospital in Ohio may have factored into the decision in terms of care of their upcoming baby but not much in terms of her career as she isn't intending to work full time and is rather going to volunteer in various capacities. They sign for 7x9.75M after there are no other viable offers from the market.

9. Gaudreau is dealing with a lot of conflict and emotions and a last minute choice of Columbus so he cannot really commit to any comments about Calgary or provide any concerted reason to Columbus media for why he chose their team. In the end, it appears his family chose for him to end up there after the Flyers were no-longer an option. The fall-out in the final call with Calgary and the pressure from the family meant there was going to be no return to Calgary after free agency opened up.

Thank you for taking the time to wade through that #### show of a thread for the rest of us. You made us all the winner of Free Agent Frenzy.