I don't think the Flames has any illusion over the past weeks or months that Tkachuk was going to stay, not because of any one or two things here, just because he gets this UFA big money chance (which again he got a year early and forced the Flames into signing that deal) once a career to pick your spot, and wasn't going to be here.
Only slim chance he had of staying, maybe, was if JG committed here, and I think the Flames knew that well and far in advance.
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