[Niemo]

We can't blame Ras as it is potentially the next 9 years of his life.

I am more disappointed by the management group in not foreseeing this situation potentially happening. How does a management team that gloats about their tight and super positive and open relationship with a player not know that contract numbers would be far apart and that his trade value will be controlled by him if dragged into the last year?

Also, I understand that there is a perceived value around the league for guys taking note that the Calgary Flames are a world class organization and we treat players right. I am not aware of this helping us yet. It seems to have let players dictate terms and the Flames getting lower value in return.

The most we get out of it so far is the player says "Absolutely nothing bad to say about the Calgary Flames or the City. Fans are amazing, City is great place to live, and Management and Ownership are world class. It was just time to move on after serious consideration with the family."

Not sure how to even respond to this without trying to be politically correct. Maybe "Thanks Bro.....".
Seems like a 'it's not you, it's me' break up where your ex tells her friends that you were such a nice and good guy, it just didn't work out for some reason.