Quote:
Originally Posted by Azure
I don't.
I think he's completely full of #### and is trying to do damage control over a situation that him and his agent completely bungled.
Why? Because like you said, he agreed, then recanted.
UFAs have the right to do what they want, but within reason you can choose to make that decision without completely screwing over the team who drafted, developed and turned you into a super star who is making more money than 99.99% of the world's population.
Boo him when he comes back. But don't throw jersey's on the ice.
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In the end I'm not sure he really screwed the Flames by waiting until the last day. Whether he told them on July 5th or on July 12th...not sure how much difference that week makes.
He couldn't legally sign anywhere until July 13th - that's not his fault. And it legitimately sounds like he was still thinking of signing here, so I don't think it was at all just for leverage (that he threw out the window on the 12th anyways by saying he left for family reasons).
If the Flames wanted to make plans for life without Gaudreau at the draft - then it's up to them to try to push Gaudreau for an answer sooner. Not like the Flames made a big push on July 6th to get him signed and increased their offer.
The Flames organization was playing the "wait until the last couple days" negotiation game just as much as Gaudreau's camp was.
I think as a fanbase we are all assuming that things would have been way different if Gaudreau said he's gone prior to the draft...but I don't think it would have been that much different.
Likely nothing still would have happened at the draft, Gaudreau still signs in the East on July 13th, and we are all still discussing Tkachuk trade rumors this week.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
I’m okay with him walking away from a verbal agreement. Happens in the NFL as there’s a reason the contract isn’t final until the i’s are dotted and t’s crossed. I want him to do what’s best for himself and his family and if living in Calgary was going to be a problem for their family then backing out was the right decision. Clearly Johnny’s never going to make for a good poker but this isn’t a game. It’s his life and it’s best he pulled out at the last minute if it was going to be an issue that popped up during the contract. Clearly the Flames had no plan B as it was sign Gaudreau and Tkachuk or bust so his last minute decision had no bearing on where we are today with the Flames.
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Yup.
Better to walk now than underperform on your new deal because you regret re-signing, end up needing to get traded, and the Flames just have to retain on the trade because the salary doesn't look good any more.