Seravalli: Gaudreau has informed the Flames he will not return

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Flames fans are so concerned that they're going to turn into the Oilers that we've become blind to how Tampa and Colorado have found success.

I think the Flames have improved in their drafting. I'm here for it.

Tampa and Colorado both had #1/#2 picks in close years (2008/2009 and 2011/2013). Hard to say that a 'tank' got you the cup when it was over a decade ago (on average), and both teams have made very smart moves since then.

Agree with the poster saying there is a structural disadvantage to playing in Canada. That's a big factor that makes drafting and player management more crucial in our markets.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by Locke

John's life is getting flip-turned upside down.

A couple of guys were up to no good and started making trouble in his neighbourhood and he got into one little fight and his mom got scared, so she packed his suitcase and sent him on his way.

Out of thanks, but I lol'd

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Locke

John's life is getting flip-turned upside down.

A couple of guys were up to no good and started making trouble in his neighbourhood and he got into one little fight and his mom got scared, so she packed his suitcase and sent him on his way.

Oh snap he’s signing with the Kings?

[Vedder]

Originally Posted by Bunk

People talking like “we’re still a good team that can make the playoffs”

Is that all we care about, being a playoff team? Screw that. I want a team with a legitimate shot at the cup over multiple years. We will never be that without a rebuild and franchise players (preferably a centre) to build around. To think otherwise is just fooling yourself.

I can‘t cheer for a team that won’t do what it takes to become that.

Things were looking pretty good with Bennett and Monahan down the middle and a couple potential star wingers under contract. There are no guarantees in a rebuild either. So many things have to align perfectly to become a legitimate contender.

To be clear I think a rebuild is probably the right answer, but I'd understand skepticism from ownership and management given a relatively weak payout on the last try.

[AC]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Flames fans are so concerned that they're going to turn into the Oilers that we've become blind to how Tampa and Colorado have found success.

No kidding.

Of course tanking isn't a guarantee of anything, but outside of STL in recent memory Cup winning teams have elite players thanks to multiple top picks (Pietrangelo their lone high pick I believe).

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bunk

People talking like “we’re still a good team that can make the playoffs”

Is that all we care about, being a playoff team? Screw that. I want a team with a legitimate shot at the cup over multiple years. We will never be that without a rebuild and franchise players (preferably a centre) to build around. To think otherwise is just fooling yourself.

I can‘t cheer for a team that won’t do what it takes to become that.

Irony is that Gaudreau at $10+ MM makes it real hard to be championship team.

Frankly this last season was the franchise’s best shot at winning it all since 2006. And it was a long shot but I’ll give them credit, they tried.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Bunk

People talking like “we’re still a good team that can make the playoffs”

Is that all we care about, being a playoff team? Screw that. I want a team with a legitimate shot at the cup over multiple years. We will never be that without a rebuild and franchise players (preferably a centre) to build around. To think otherwise is just fooling yourself.

I can‘t cheer for a team that won’t do what it takes to become that.

There are a slew of teams that have tried that and how has that worked out? How has that worked out for Buffalo? How has that worked out for Columbus? How has that worked out for the embarrassment North of Calgary?

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Whatever we do, let's NOT do this again next year with Tkachuk please.

If he won't sign a long term contract this off season, trade him this off season.

Pretty frustrating getting constantly corn holed by geography.

The ####ty old arena probably doesn't help either.

And yet Brady Tkachuk signed long term in OTT.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by butterfly

Would you have taken it with an ambivalent Gaudreau, at the time?

I would’ve told Gaudreau that he can sign half an hour before the draft or he’s given me his answer and I’m going to do what’s best for the team.


Then I would’ve traded Tkachuk to the Devils for the 2nd overall pick, and Lindholm for a king’s ransom.

Drafted Shane Wright, and started anew.

But I’m sure whatever Brad’s about to do is great too.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

And yet Brady Tkachuk signed long term in OTT.

Because Brady Tkachuk is not as good as Matthew, so he got his $64M before anyone could figure that out.

[Savvy27]

This is really too bad. I liked watching Johnny a lot. One of my all time favorite Flames.

That being said, the team is going to be okay next year and beyond. There remains a lot of talent on the roster and in the organization, along with elite coaching.

This is going to be a very interesting summer as I do not think that Treliving can sit on his hands. 13 leaving is rough for the competitive window, but they still have Markstrom, Lindholm, Tanev, Andersson, Hanifin, Coleman, Backlund, Toffoli, Monahan, and presumably Tkachuk, Mangiapane, and Kylington. Even without Gaudreau this team is nowhere close to a lottery pick, so time to pull together and beat the odds.

Elite coaching made a huge difference this season and it will next season too. I'd say that the Flames need to become Islanders-West, but I don't think things are even that dire as our roster is still strong.

[butterfly]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I would’ve told Gaudreau that he can sign half an hour before the draft or he’s given me his answer and I’m going to do what’s best for the team.


Then I would’ve traded Tkachuk to the Devils for the 2nd overall pick, and Lindholm for a king’s ransom.

Drafted Shane Wright, and started anew.

But I’m sure whatever Brad’s about to do is great too.

The rumor stated that the offer occurred before the draft. So, before anyone knew that Montreal was taking Slafkovsky instead of Wright.

I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you, but it will be an interesting thing to revisit in a few years.

[CF84]

This stings, but I really hope that management has what it takes to make the right decisions as a follow-up to this bad news.

[DomeFoam]

Treliving should have MT on the phone right now giving him a number and a deadline.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

There are a slew of teams that have tried that and how has that worked out? How has that worked out for Buffalo? How has that worked out for Columbus? How has that worked out for the embarrassment North of Calgary?

Yeah I wonder what's taking Buffalo so long to press the 'Compete' button again on their roster, given all the high draft picks they've had.

[OldDutch]

This isn’t sour grapes, but a 11M JG is not a championship team. Its a bullet dodged and him fleeing to NJ will see him in the same spot just a different address.

Its also a miss because if we had MacKinnon we would probably be in COL spot, but if Markstrom doesn’t let us down. Too many ifs.

What hurts is they could salvage even a 2nd rounder for rights. You think Iginla would have taught them to be assertive but I guess not.

Where really to go from here? I dunno. Just feel JG is going to be disappointed and so will the Flames. There was a fair contract there, but hey that is up to him. Wish Tre would have set a date and had a trigger pull ready. That is equally fair as being punked.

[Icon]

Originally Posted by Manhattanboy

And yet Brady Tkachuk signed long term in OTT.

Slightly different circumstance, but yeah.

Seeing the Sens moves this offseason I'm envious and presume Brady is pretty excited about it all now.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Irony is that Gaudreau at $10+ MM makes it real hard to be championship team.

Frankly this last season was the franchise’s best shot at winning it all since 2006. And it was a long shot but I’ll give them credit, they tried.

Yeah, I think they took their best shot with this core. The Monahan injuries really set them back, but good moves with the likes of Markstrom, Tanev put them in a decent position to try and win.

Didn’t work out. To try now without your best core player would be deluding yourself.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Bleh

[browna]

Interesting though for BT to have a presser with the timing he did.

And an emotional one at that, doesn't sound like had a lot of time to contemplate things or sleep on it, and still had red eyes. Seemed sudden and while we appreciate to hear it up front, strikes me as a bit odd.

So why tonight and not tomorrow evening after the FA rush for the day is over and JG had a new (maybe) home?

Is there any chance anything he said or the immediate reaction to this has any chance to away JG to feel some sort of guilt or sadness as well and reconsider?

To be clear, not clinging onto hope for that or have even the slightest thought it will occur, but the presser timing and suddeness seemed a bit out of character and had to be more then just to let the fans and media know directly.
Or could've been to control the message...I fully expect a full page "Thank you" from Johnny on the paper and the Flames website in the coming days and rather the Flames letter to be first to report it.

Anyways...