Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinny01
I think emotionally for fans it hurt more to see Johnny leave. I remember I was driving from a stampede event to my golf league on the Tuesday before free agency and Pat was on the radio talking about how the Gaudreau camp has countered the Flames offer. I was listening thinking this was classic Lewis Gross and we were at the pinch point to get the deal done and it seemed like it was trending that way. Then on the back 9 I get a TSN update stating Johnny is going to market.
Tkachuk has even stated “he did it the right way”. He was more upfront about it and worked with the team to get a return that reignited the fanbase in a way that I think got the fans more pumped than had he stayed.
It is like a relationship. If someone dumps you and you had suspicions they were not happy and wanted out of the relationship it hurts but a little less so if you see it coming. With Johnny it seemed like one day you are talking about a future together and buying a house etc and the next day it’s over somewhat out of the blue. It hurts more because you don’t expect it and we are left with nothing. Chucky leaves and we are left with 2 new core pieces and futures.
I also think had Johnny said prior to the draft he wanted to go to the market it would t have stung so much. Waiting until the night before, days after our GM said to the media he feels there is a deal to be made here absolutely crushed the fanbase.
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Thing is that kind of downplays that the situations are very different.
With Gaudreau he was a UFA - and I don't think it's a huge difference if he makes a decision July 1st or July 13th. Even then the Flames could have pushed for an answer sooner and they didn't - they actually didn't give their best offer until the 12th so they clearly weren't worried either.
Gaudreau probably could have made a decision earlier, but he has been consistent in saying it was a very tough decision that he went back and forth right to the final day. I honestly think a deal was there to be made, but once the offer was in front of his then his (and maybe more his families true desires became more apparent).
Tkachuk was able to be more transparent because:
A) He was more certain he wanted to leave
B) Cashing out on his last season was in his best interest and in order to do that he needed the Flames help, and needed to act like he was willing to go to more than one place or else it just hurts his own contract negotiation.
C) Since he was an RFA there still was some value there.
Tkachuk was just acting in his own best interest - but was able to frame it like he was doing the Flames a favour.
The only person who did the Flames a favour here was Bill Zito lol.