[browna]

Tkachuk was gone regardless of JG staying. His intentions were clear on his long term assumption to stay, when he signed the previous contract, to put the power with him and force the Flames in the situation they were in.

Also, pretty sure Treliving and the Flames knew exactly what Tkachuk was doing (because he told them) and the Flames started to sniff around for trades, long before the Gaudreau situation played out.

And, am sure the Flames and Tkachuk agreed for Tkachuk's request to become pubic after the JG thing and when Treliving had some traction on a trade. For fans the timing makes it seem like a double punch and one situation happened because of the other, but given the way the Flames acted after the Tkachuk news was a lot different, it was clear that it was well known that Tkachuk was gone.

I don't think anything would've kept him here. Shame he didn't break his hand in that needless second fight vs Dallas in game 3 or 4, and would've been 100% for the Oilers. Or that he wasn't hurt vs Dallas in the COVID season.

As for Hunter who cares if it's CHL. He's got potential and has proven he can get points, and appears on a good trajectory if brought along properly when he turns pro, and if he continues to put in the work. Thats all you can ask for any decent prospect still playing in junior, as it's always a crap shoot any some regard, outside of the generational ones, how it all goes when they get into the NHL.