When it comes to Gaudreau I can see it two ways. First is he has checked out, got his payday, and chose a market like Columbus to collect his money in peace.
On the other side we could be watching a guy who is deeply depressed about the horrible life choice he made to leave millions on the table and a legacy he was building here in order to relocate and he truly regrets his decision. Maybe he and the coach have a different opinion on how the game is played. Is there a chance a fresh start or a do over in terms of coming back to Calgary would rejuvenate him? Or is he cooked?
Huberdeau came here when he wasn’t expecting it and had a ton of pressure to replace not one but two franchise wingers who left. He got all the money and likely put a lot of pressure on himself. His confidence was shattered and once he regains it he will get back to his old ways? Or is it the fact he is a high risk East-West player who cannot fit into a north-south style of play and as some analysts have said his style of play is not conducive for playoff or western conference style so he will never be the player in Calgary that he was in Florida?
I am not sure the answer for either player and if it wasn’t for uncle Jim saying on Twitter that Johnny would want to come back it probably wouldn’t be discussed as much as it has. We have seen Johnny dominate at times in Calgary and he knows how to succeed in the West and we haven’t seen it yet from Huberdeau.
Huberdeau is a super likable guy and very polished in the media and that is something Gaudreau has never been good at. I want Huby to work out but after almost 100 games it is tough to see him ever sniffing at earning that massive cap hit. I think if the Flames could find a way to get out from under that deal it would be the best thing for the organization. Obviously Huby returning to the player he was from 19-22 would be the most ideal but I just don’t see that happening in Calgary.
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