Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinny01
You go back to Tkachuk’s comments when Matthews signed his 5 year deal and he was quick to compliment that term. When he signed his 3 year bridge it was all about “keeping the team together” clearly it was all about getting out of Calgary in 4 years. He was ready to sign the QO and play out his last year here but they were able to come to an agreement to trade him now which worked for both parties.
I agree Chucky comes across as a politician and is calculated in what he says to the media. I believe he enjoyed his time here but was never planning to be a career Flame. Luckily he is a rare breed of player that was able to garner a massive return in a trade that allowed the Flames to retool and stay competitive.
The breakup with Chucky was something that I think many saw coming even when he said he absolutely wanted to stay here long term. Gaudreau does come across as more sincere so he turned believers out of many of us when he said he wanted to stay even Eric Francis. So when he left it stung more especially since the team got nothing for him and offered him $15M more than the team who got him did.
I think it is probably 80-20 that Chucky gets a really warm reception when he comes back to the dome next year but I think it is 90% chance Johnny here’s the boos. I do think he will get an ovation during the tribute video but will hear it every time he touches the puck. Chucky is going to have to do something dirty to one of our players to get the same response.
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Funny part is I'm way more empathetic to Gaudreau's reason for wanting to leave than Tkachuks, which IMO he really hasn't said a real reason.
Gaudreau gave the team 8 years, was torn by the decision, and in the end decided to leave (to do what his family preferred) and was vilified for it.
Tkachuk pretty much forced a trade, and sure we got a good return, but really I don't see him as some hero here.