Seravalli: Gaudreau has informed the Flames he will not return

[Burning Beard]

So Johnny has a career year with an elite coach this year. Now he will most likely have Lindy Ruff or Brad Larsen as a coach... Oof. He ain't hitting 100 points again.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Murph

<$10M AAV.

Please, pretty please, with a cherry on top.

Assuming he signs for something like 7 x 9.5 with the Devils, that's almost 20 million in career savings he would be giving up for not signing with us when it was offered. Quite a pretty chunk of change.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont get this...he didnt seriously reject the Flames' offer to move closer to home without at least some inkling of what was available to him did he?

That would be insane.

Ya...this is why things came down to the wire yesterday.

We have no idea if 'light-tampering' means strong expression of interest, or detailed contract offer pitch. I think it's more likely the former and that actual numbers don't start to firm up until yesterday-today.

I think there is a lot more uncertainty involved in these superstar scenarios than most people seem to think.

[Murph]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Assuming he signs for something like 7 x 9.5 with the Devils, that's almost 20 million in career savings he would be giving up for not signing with us when it was offered. Quite a pretty chunk of change.

Yup.

Hope it was worth it, Johnny.

[1_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Assuming he signs for something like 7 x 9.5 with the Devils, that's almost 20 million in career savings he would be giving up for not signing with us when it was offered. Quite a pretty chunk of change.

Could have bought a private jet and a pilot to fly his family back and forth anytime they wanted.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Assuming he signs for something like 7 x 9.5 with the Devils, that's almost 20 million in career savings he would be giving up for not signing with us when it was offered. Quite a pretty chunk of change.

Tax rate is higher in the states as well since their federal tax rate is higher than the Canadian federal tax rate for a guy making Johnny money. In fact the top rate in the states is higher than the top rate in Canada at the federal level, making up the difference between state and provincial taxes in most cases. That is why the tax argument is somewhat laughable when it is brought up.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

What I would have done, before the deadline, once it became clear he wasn't signing.

- Ask him for three teams he wants to sign with
- Call those teams
- Offer them a signed Gaudreau for 8 years instead of the 7 they would get
- Let each team know there are two other teams in the same picture
- Find out what each team would need to do to clear space
- Work out the best deal I can from amongst those teams
- Sign him for 8x11.5 and make the trade to the team with the best deal

Johnny gets to go where he wants and gets the term and $$ he would have from us.
The team gets Johnny for 8 years instead of 7 and some space for his contract.
We get something (picks, a cap dump, maybe a prospect) in return.

Do I live in a different universe than other people? Probably, but at least in my universe everyone wins.

That's a lot to accomplish in 2 hours time. Something that had never been done before.

Plus Johnny will want to pick his team, not have Calgary do it for him from among 3 teams.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

That's a lot to accomplish in 2 hours time. Something that had never been done before.

Plus Johnny will want to pick his team, not have Calgary do it for him from among 3 teams.

and for all we know those three teams were not on his list for that very strategic reason.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Murph

Yup.

Hope it was worth it, Johnny.

He's about to have his first kid and his dad has a dicky ticker – both recent developments. What's the price on giving your child a chance to know his grandfather while he still has one?

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

His wife is from Philly - 100% sure

She is a nurse at sick kids in Philly.

[yourbestfriend]

Originally Posted by Murph

Yup.

Hope it was worth it, Johnny.

Doesn't that just further emphasize it was not about the money?
He's potentially going to give up $20M in career earnings to be closer to his family. How can you possibly fault a guy for that.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Murph

<$10M AAV.

Please, pretty please, with a cherry on top.

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

Ya...this is why things came down to the wire yesterday.

We have no idea if 'light-tampering' means strong expression of interest, or detailed contract offer pitch. I think it's more likely the former and that actual numbers don't start to firm up until yesterday-today.

I think there is a lot more uncertainty involved in these superstar scenarios than most people seem to think.

I'm beginning to get the impression that perhaps Johnny and his agent might have dun goofed.

Playing it a little fast and loose with the most important contract in that guy's life. This isnt like making monthly payments on a sofa from The Brick.

[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by 1_Flames_Fan

Could have bought a private jet and a pilot to fly his family back and forth anytime they wanted.

Probably out of the price range of most athletes outside of the Tiger Woods level. Netjets or whatever probably is an option to make flying your family around easier.

[djsFlames]

What's the drive time from Columbus to Carney's Point?

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

What's the drive time from Columbus to Carney's Point?

less than the flying time from Carney Point to Calgary

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by Locke

I'm beginning to get the impression that perhaps Johnny and his agent might have dun goofed.

Playing it a little fast and loose with the most important contract in that guy's life. This isnt like making monthly payments on a sofa from The Brick.

No down payment. No interest. And do not make your first payment til spring!

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

What's the drive time from Columbus to Carney's Point?

An 8 hour drive.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

I just looked up Chuck Fletcher on Google, and he has an .... interesting intro paragraoh.

His dad also destroyed the Flames (after he won us a cup).

[Macman]

It’s a large contract to be taking on for any team, might be a positive for the Flames. The other thing I think is the arena issue, that has to be a downer now for the Flames organization. A good fan base but you have to keep up in that regard.

As much as we love our city the US seems just that more attractive to players, taxes lower in some or most other cities.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Bill Bumface

Please tell me you don't have a wife and kids.

* wives