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Originally Posted by Mathgod
Except fans aren't critiquing Gaudreau for "not being loyal". That's a strawman and not really what this discussion has been about.
The bulk of the discussion has been about the way the situation was handled. Even if his intentions were pure, it doesn't change the fact that he kept the Flames believing that they were going to re-sign him, right up until the final few hours. That hamstrung the Flames' ability to pivot and better prepare themselves for a future without Gaudreau.
His reasoning about his decision doesn't make a whole lot of sense, even with what he said in this letter. He decided to forgo money, legacy, a team primed to make deep playoff runs, a great city, and the love of an adoring fan base, all to be closer to (but still a 2 hour plane ride/7 hour drive away from) family. If it truly was about being close to family, he would have given the Flyers an enormous discount, to the point where they couldn't have refused. So no, his reasoning doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
When you look at the 11th hour change of heart, and the destination he ultimately went to, it stinks to high heck of a decision that wasn't really made by him. So in the end it's hard to blame the guy if his hands were tied.
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It's called compromise. 85% closer to home for 15% less money (after the final accounting it might actually be closer to 90% faster and 10% less).
I'm sure he was contented enough with CGY (or else there would have been no decision at all), but I suspect the only real reason for considering CGY so long was $$$. Which is fair enough, and also why I think he needed to know the final number before making a final decision.