Quote:
Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus
Having an impending star UFA actually walk to free agency is not low probability at all. Infact, it is a highly probably outcome going into the final year of a deal, and one that most of the fanbase was highly concerned about all season.
Simply allowing things to get to that point as a GM is downright idiotic (you have to pursue an extension the previous offseason), but allowing the decision to quite literally go to the league imposed deadline, only hours from free agency opening is even worse. The simple fact so much hinged on getting that deal with Guadreau done (signing Tkachuk, pursuing replacement's via trade or free agency) speaks volumes for how detached management was from even considering they might not be able to close.
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You miss the point. Any deadline just moves the trade date, and the date by which other teams put in their stink bids.
As for management "not even considering" they might not get a deal, that's a real stretch. I'm sure they considered it. But at the time Johnny said he wanted to stay, there was no baby on the way, Guy had no heart attack and the Flames were heading into a positive season. So in spite of that your desire was for Treliving to assume the worst, chuck the season, and go for a crap offer from someone for a 70 point undersized LW.