Matthew Tkachuk & Johnny Gaudreau Signing Watch Thread

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Except this guy didn't just have neck surgery...

But what the hell. Vegas is going to get him anyways...

I just meant in terms of the emotional roller coaster ride lol.

[Ferarri]

Originally Posted by mile

https://twitter.com/user/status/1546904911048126465

Not sure I buy this. The team seems very tight and a bunch of them were at Monohan’s wedding. I think they have a very good idea as to what he’s thinking.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

General consensus from twitter is that’s a mega overpay lol. No one in the league appreciates what Gaudreau is.

Yup. But also probably a touch of the Flames fans overestimating Gaudreau's profile league wide. Not to say Philly wouldn't get all excited and also overpay, but people tend to have tunnel vision on their own players, both positive and negative.

Originally Posted by flylock shox

I think this underestimates who likely calls the shots in Johnny's household - him or his expectant wife.

I'm still of the view that - so long as the money is reasonably comparable - family ties are the biggest and most important factor for Johnny at this stage of his life, as they should be. It's even more the case for his wife, who I'm sure would rather have family and friends around when she's looking after the kid and Johnny's away on a 10-day road trip.

It's impossible to get inside Johnny's head, but I'm pretty confident I know what I would do in his situation: wait until tomorrow to see what concrete options I really have and, if the money's even close, opt for the one that is best for my family as a whole.

Close to what? The Flames' offer turns into a pumpkin at midnite. They can't offer 8 years. And they aren't going to up the AAV more than their 8 year deal.

Edit: Realistically, friends/family can visit a lot. Plus, he can always take the deal, play for 4 years while the team is intact and competitive, and then ask to go out east. If the deal is better than those teams could offer a UFA, as it should be, there will be lots of teams lining up.

[littlereddevil]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

Except this guy didn't just have neck surgery...

But what the hell. Vegas is going to get him anyways...

Not sure how Vegas would find the cap space to sign Gaudreau, but if they do, they may become my most hated team in the NHL, and that's saying a lot with the Oilers in our division.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

Then you look at the silver lining. A guy who prioritizes being close to mommy and daddy at age 28 over winning and his hockey legacy is not a guy you are winning with anyhow. I am not saying if that is the route he did choose that it is wrong, it is right for him but there is a long list of players who chose location over winning. Those guys retired with their hockey legacy being they put location first and winning and competing second. See Shane Doan for example. You don't win championships with guys like that. I don't think Johnny is like that though and I believe he was bring totally honest when he said he wants to be here, win here, and wants to stay here. I can't see a guy who seems as competitive as he is throwing his entire hockey legacy down the crapper just to be closer to mom and dad.

I basically agree. I love watching Johnny play and would love for him to sign a long-term deal at a price that works to build a contender around him and for him to retire with a cup banner to match his jersey in the rafters, but if his decision making isn't driven by an urge to win and leave a legacy of greatness then he's not worth paying the big dollars to. Basically, if he's motivated by anything other than winning he's not worth a huge salary, and if he's primarily motivated by winning he should be willing to compromise a bit on salary to have the team build a contender around him to achieve those goals.

[BlindMilwaukee]

This is absolutely no news but Dube stopped by my place of work a few days ago so naturally someone asked what he thinks Johnny is gonna do.

Dillon just said he has no idea and that all he knows is Johnny loves the city.

Hoping for the best - preparing for the worst.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

I think this underestimates who likely calls the shots in Johnny's household - him or his expectant wife.

I'm still of the view that - so long as the money is reasonably comparable - family ties are the biggest and most important factor for Johnny at this stage of his life, as they should be. It's even more the case for his wife, who I'm sure would rather have family and friends around when she's looking after the kid and Johnny's away on a 10-day road trip.

It's impossible to get inside Johnny's head, but I'm pretty confident I know what I would do in his situation: wait until tomorrow to see what concrete options I really have and, if the money's even close, opt for the one that is best for my family as a whole.

Johnny and you can do whatever you want but the most successful players got that way through prioritizing winning in their lives. Guess what? They typically raise nice families as transplants in a new city as do many people around the world who make career advancement a priority. If he signs with Philly, we can rest easy knowing winning is 4th or 5th on his list of properties. He won't though. Signs with flames at 9:40 8x11.

[Huntingwhale]

I think I have come to accept that JG is likely leaving. Sucks, but the writing seems to be on the wall. Can't fault him if he does. But I will be pretty (pleasantly) shocked if he's a Flames in the upcoming weeks ahead. I'm sure he loves the city, team and fans. But ultimately this is a "life" decision and no one can fault him for choosing to go home.

Sucks the Flames could lose him for nothing, but I'll always be grateful for him for FINALLY getting this team over the 1st round hump and scoring an epic OT winner.

[The Boy Wonder]

Originally Posted by flylock shox

I think this underestimates who likely calls the shots in Johnny's household - him or his expectant wife.

I'm still of the view that - so long as the money is reasonably comparable - family ties are the biggest and most important factor for Johnny at this stage of his life, as they should be. It's even more the case for his wife, who I'm sure would rather have family and friends around when she's looking after the kid and Johnny's away on a 10-day road trip.

It's impossible to get inside Johnny's head, but I'm pretty confident I know what I would do in his situation: wait until tomorrow to see what concrete options I really have and, if the money's even close, opt for the one that is best for my family as a whole.

I mean for $80m you can buy each family member a house in Calgary to have them close

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I think CP has been incredibly restrained the day before potentially losing our franchise player as a free agent.

I’m good with whatever happens, personally.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I think I have come to accept that JG is likely leaving. Sucks, but the writing seems to be on the wall. Can't fault him if he does. But I will be pretty (pleasantly) shocked if he's a Flames in the upcoming weeks ahead. I'm sure he loves the city, team and fans. But ultimately this is a "life" decision and no one can fault him for choosing to go home.

Sucks the Flames could lose him for nothing, but I'll always be grateful for him for FINALLY getting this team over the 1st round hump and scoring an epic OT winner.

Give it 3 or 4 more hours. It still could happen

[Johnny Makarov]

OK i'm heading home. Feel nauseous.

I hope when i get home in 10 mins CP goes down with some good news!

[Sec214]

Thank you Johnny.
Thank you for always being there for the young fans in the dome, flipping the puck 80 feet in the air as the kids look in awe.
Thank you for Bar down snipes.
Thank you for when you dance in the offensive zone.

I would encourage everyone to get your JG13 Gear and put it in a safe place.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I think CP has been incredibly restrained the day before potentially losing our franchise player as a free agent.

Absolutely. Credit to the even-keeled temperament of the majority of Flames fans. Wait until Edmonton and Toronto face losing McDavid and Matthews. Their fan forums will be melting down with fans jumping off the deep end.

[Roof-Daddy]

I think the longer this went on the more JG's heart has probably taken over and the more and more likely it gets that he will go be a Flyer.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

Give it 3 or 4 more hours. It still could happen

I hope so. Either way, my loins are ready for any scenario.

[mile]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

Give it 3 or 4 more hours. It still could happen

Give it until 9:45PM

[Roof-Daddy]

I'm going to guess that sometime in the next couple hours it breaks that Johnny is going to "test the market".

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I hope so. Either way, my loins are ready for any scenario.

Leave your loins out of it lol

[flylock shox]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Close to what? The Flames' offer turns into a pumpkin at midnite. They can't offer 8 years. And they aren't going to up the AAV more than their 8 year deal.

Close to what the Flames would offer him over 7 years, which I expect would be a higher overall cap hit year-over-year, but which might be preferable than an 8 year deal from the team's perspective anyway.

I'm sure Johnny has a pretty good idea what the Flames would put on the table for 7 years on the basis of the negotiations to date. I might argue that 7 years at around 11 million might be better for both team and player than 8 years at 10 million...