Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric Vail
I didn't read the entire thread, but who are the players who have not wanted to play for the Flames when they had a chance to get out?
Tkachuk
Gaudreau
Fox
Lidstrom
Hanifan
I'm not putting Tanev on the list because I don't think the Flames wanted to extend him with a long-term contract. Everyone above had that option, but declined.
There probably should be more on my list. When I look at it though, I see four Americans and one Swede. That tells me that if all things are equal, I'd maybe look for a player that isn't American.
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I wouldn't even include Lindholm or Hanifin. I believe they wanted to move on because things fell apart with the Flames, not because of any issues playing in Calgary or Canada. It was a snowball effect with Gaudreau and Tkachuk moving that caused the bleeding we are seeing. Don't forget Treliving as well. Never a good look when a GM actually quits as well. All the stuff he said to try and build up the image of Calgary and how the perception at the time wasn't fair, only to follow it up with an "I'm out of here" once his contract was up. That probably added to the current dark cloud as much as any player doing the same thing. He didn't even follow it up with a statement to the fans like most star players do when they leave.