[browna]

For me, there are a few factors with Gaudreau.

I really think he had assumed, and his agent was going to make it happen, that he would land in Philly.
The year prior to him leaving, Sutter had just finished his first 3/4 season, playoffs missed, and not sure where the Flames were headed.
Him and wife planned to have a baby and move forward with their lives.

Those factors, in combination prevented JG from wanting to sign long term here. He really liked Calgary but those factors and that MT was likely on his way out after the next season, gave him less reason to stay.

However, the next season started. The team was on fire. His line was on fire. He was on fire. He really responded positive to Sutter and the team was lights out. An epic playoff round with the city in the palm of the team's hand (which wasn't the case a couple years earlier with a really good team that fell apart vs COL). A once in a career game 7 OT winner. A BOA, which while the most disgusting of losses, he still saw the fire the city had for the team and for him.

And then, his presumed and desired landing spot he had in mind for the last years, didn't materialize.

But, decision he and his wife mostly agreed to long before, to move closer to their parents, to feel comfortable with a new baby and start a new chapter, was already mostly in place.

So, his thoughts professionally goes from being behind that plan, to, now, staying; being on a top team in the league, putting up career stats, with a coach that gets the most out of him and his teammates, a city that always has loved him, and a chance to be a Flame for life and have #13 retired in a decade if he stays.

But, his promise to his wife he previously made wins out. Goes to a team that simply, somewhat, satisfies his geographical promise to move closer to home.

So, IMO, if him and his wife decided to have the child a year before or after his UFA status, my guess is he is still a Flame right now. Him changing his mind from their plans to move closer to home, he just couldn't do it at the last minute, even though his experience here that last season changed his mindset, about being a Flame and, he wasn't going to be going to Philly.

And then him staying and signing sets things up totally different for the franchise this last 20 months. Tkachuk was leaving no matter what, but JG would still have Lindholm. Would the JH trade still happen as is? Maybe, maybe not. Could've been a different trade for a different type of asset than JH and Weeger. If the trade was the same, Flames wouldn't have been able to afford Kadri.

Him staying last year means his stats don't fall of a cliff (nor Lindholm's) means also the playoffs last year, and with that much more positive vibe around the team. Treliving still was probably on his way to Toronto but with a different narrative and Sutter is still likely the coach...which is a good thing, again, this isn't in a vacuum, Sutter himself wouldve been a different person last year if he had JG because he liked Johnny and knew how good JG was, and JG adapted to fit Darryl's style. Instead Sutter got a JH and not the same mentality as JG and they never got along.

And with last year being positive, a playoff year, and still decent stats for JG and Lindholm, Lindholm and maybe even fellow American Hanifin, re signs last offseason.

Bottom line, professionally speaking, for all the right reasons, JG regretted moving away from here before he even left the city. He still regrets it because he knoes he'd be a better player on this team and in this city, and would have a chance to do more and win more and leave a legacy here. His stats the last two years would be significantly better. The Flames would be a better team last year and aot more positive then the way things spiraled down because JG left. And they would've made the playoffs last year and who knows.

But, personally his family made a life decision long before July 2022, and he honored that in the end.