Matthew Tkachuk & Johnny Gaudreau Signing Watch Thread

[Hack&Lube]

I watched last night's game on the Philly home broadcast and the broadcast team couldn't stop talking about Johnny all night long, and mentioned him several times with Kevin Hayes. Johnny even admitted he had an extra step since he was playing for his home crowd and how close he was with Hayes.

I couldn't help but get a feeling like the game seemed like an audition.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Of course he has an extra step infront of his hometown friends & family. Especially coming out of a pandemic where he hasn't played in front of them live for 2 years.
That doesn't make it an audition, that's just normal.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I watched last night's game on the Philly home broadcast and the broadcast team couldn't stop talking about Johnny all night long, and mentioned him several times with Kevin Hayes. Johnny even admitted he had an extra step since he was playing for his home crowd and how close he was with Hayes.

I couldn't help but get a feeling like the game seemed like an audition.

Or you know, it could have been the fact that he had his entire family and all his friends there. Even if JG gets to free agency, the Flyers don't have the cap to make it work.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I watched last night's game on the Philly home broadcast and the broadcast team couldn't stop talking about Johnny all night long, and mentioned him several times with Kevin Hayes. Johnny even admitted he had an extra step since he was playing for his home crowd and how close he was with Hayes.

I couldn't help but get a feeling like the game seemed like an audition.

Possible. But where do the Flyers even come up with the money to sign Gaudreau? Think they have almost $68M tied up to next season's contracts and they will still need to re-sign Giroux, they'll still need a top 4 dman, a back up goaltender and a pile of skaters. If they rid themselves of JVR's contract, then that would help, but who would want that cap hit with his current production. They could also not re-sign Giroux, but not sure how the Philly fan base would feel about that.

[Erick Estrada]

If the Flyers really want Gaudreau they should be talking to the Flames. They would need to send the Flames a big contract and sweeten it with draft picks/prospects. If he gets to free agency they won't be able to compete with other teams but if they trade for him they will have time to shed a bit more salary and come to terms with his agent before July 1st. I get the feeling he's going to end up in New Jersey or Long Island as those teams will have the caps space and need elite scoring talent.

[Monahammer]

Wow we're all so scarred around here. Johnny had a good game, let's leave it there for now.

[activeStick]

Just a feeling but very confident that the Flames sign Johnny to a long-term deal for a fairly high number (9.5 ish). Tkachuk though, definitely unsure of and if I were to guess, no movement on him until the off season.

[talladega.25]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

Of course he has an extra step infront of his hometown friends & family. Especially coming out of a pandemic where he hasn't played in front of them live for 2 years.
That doesn't make it an audition, that's just normal.

Sorry but as a pending UFA, you are definitely auditioning if your JG. He would be naive to think otherwise. He will definitely want to showcase his ability, especially in a market (yes other than Calgary) that he would want to play in.

It is playing with fire letting him enter this season unsigned. It is human nature to look to the future and envision "what my life might look like if..."

Doesn't help that one of his closest friends plays for his hometown team.

[Major Major]

If the flames and Gaudreau hold this trajectory, no doubt in my mind that he signs here.

Not worried about the every day business of having valuable pending UFA's on your team and if he's using it as motivation than the tact has already won.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Possible. But where do the Flyers even come up with the money to sign Gaudreau? Think they have almost $68M tied up to next season's contracts and they will still need to re-sign Giroux, they'll still need a top 4 dman, a back up goaltender and a pile of skaters. If they rid themselves of JVR's contract, then that would help, but who would want that cap hit with his current production. They could also not re-sign Giroux, but not sure how the Philly fan base would feel about that.

Teams with little cap space come up with the required cap space all the time to sign UFA's or whatever. Few teams sit around with millions left over that they plan to spend. Maybe they let Giroux walk as a start, replacing him with a younger and better alternative. Maybe they buy out JVR? I really have no idea, but I would never exclude a team simply because of a perceived lack of cap space.

[getbak]

When a player who grew up in Calgary plays well against the Flames, no one suggests he's doing it because he's hoping to sign with the Flames when he becomes a free agent. We just assume he was excited to be playing in front of his friends and family.

Does anyone really think Gaudreau needs to "audition" for anyone at this point? If he goes to UFA in July, teams will be lining up to make a pitch. No one will be thinking about how well he played in one specific game against their team.

It might make a difference for a middle of the road player -- like Raymond or Glencross signing with the Flames after having a history of strong games against the Flames, but it's not going to be a factor for a star player.


Also, as a GM, you'd have to be an idiot to think that a player who gets revved up to play in his hometown once a year is going to do the same if he's playing in front of friends and family 41 times a season.

[GreenLantern2814]

Johnny’s next cap hit is not going to start with a 9.

Best come to terms with that.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Just a feeling but very confident that the Flames sign Johnny to a long-term deal for a fairly high number (9.5 ish). Tkachuk though, definitely unsure of and if I were to guess, no movement on him until the off season.

Next pre season

[browntrout]

I think fans need to come to terms with the fact he is not signing here, he does not want to even negotiate, I would think the flames have offered him lots of money and probably on a 7-8 year term. Don't blame him, he wants to go home!

[Jay Random]

It's obvious that fans need to come to terms with the fact that Gaudreau is never going to sign with the Flames, period. He'll go straight to UFA out of college and then sign with his hometown team. Total waste of a 4th-round pick.

It's obvoius that fans need to come to terms with the fact that Gaudreau is going to bolt as soon as his ELC is up. He'll demand 400 gazillion dollars, and when he can't get it he'll hold out until he is traded to his hometown team. Fire everyone in Flames management!

Third verse, same as the first…

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Possible. But where do the Flyers even come up with the money to sign Gaudreau? Think they have almost $68M tied up to next season's contracts and they will still need to re-sign Giroux, they'll still need a top 4 dman, a back up goaltender and a pile of skaters. If they rid themselves of JVR's contract, then that would help, but who would want that cap hit with his current production. They could also not re-sign Giroux, but not sure how the Philly fan base would feel about that.

Is that so crazy different from the Flames? Looks like we have about $52 million tied up for next year. Re-sign Mangiapane and Tkachuk and you are at 66+ at that point with 8 forwards and 4 D signed.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by browntrout

I think fans need to come to terms with the fact he is not signing here, he does not want to even negotiate, I would think the flames have offered him lots of money and probably on a 7-8 year term. Don't blame him, he wants to go home!

I don’t think anyone would hold it against Johnny if he left. But we would hold it against Brad

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by talladega.25

Sorry but as a pending UFA, you are definitely auditioning if your JG. He would be naive to think otherwise. He will definitely want to showcase his ability, especially in a market (yes other than Calgary) that he would want to play in.

It is playing with fire letting him enter this season unsigned. It is human nature to look to the future and envision "what my life might look like if..."

Doesn't help that one of his closest friends plays for his hometown team.

Do you prefer PI's pictures of him and another woman or a horse's head in the bed to accomplish this?

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by browntrout

I think fans need to come to terms with the fact he is not signing here, he does not want to even negotiate, I would think the flames have offered him lots of money and probably on a 7-8 year term. Don't blame him, he wants to go home!

So you are saying he doesn't want to negotiate but the team and Gaudreau have both indicated they are doing exactly that. Gee, I wonder whom I believe here. It really pisses me off when people feel the need to make crap up they have no clue about to try and strengthen their agenda.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

It's obvious that fans need to come to terms with the fact that Gaudreau is never going to sign with the Flames, period. He'll go straight to UFA out of college and then sign with his hometown team. Total waste of a 4th-round pick.

It's obvoius that fans need to come to terms with the fact that Gaudreau is going to bolt as soon as his ELC is up. He'll demand 400 gazillion dollars, and when he can't get it he'll hold out until he is traded to his hometown team. Fire everyone in Flames management!

Third verse, same as the first…

Just curious but what value do you think this post adds to the discussion?