[Signing] Gaudreau to Columbus (7 x $9.75 million)

[Jiri Hrdina]

I mean the state of the Devils franchise is really strong.
I think they have a young #1 centre who is going to explore this year (Hughes), a great #2 two-way centre, and several other high end scorers to compliment them.
And then they just drafted their future #1 D.

I mean....W.D.F.

[Johnny Makarov]

The best thing out of this is that Lewis Gross will never have another new client!

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Flabbibulin

Yep, I don’t buy it. I am convinced him and his team screwed this up.

Thats the way I'm leaning as well.

But no matter which way you slice this, it doesnt make a whole ton of sense.

Gaudreau makes less money, is marginally 'closer to home' and is playing for a team that is currently a hot mess and sewered his legacy in Calgary.

This seems like a lose/lose/lose/lose proposition.

[tony-soprano]

Originally Posted by blankall

Apparently the offer from NJ was also north of $10 million now too.....Maybe he wanted Philly, they couldn't afford him. He then hates the Devils, because he is a NJ fan, and Columbus was the only other team in the area willing to make a big offer?

If this is the case, I bet Johnny's family is just as baffled.

[MrMike]

Hell I’d still take the 18 million and just request a trade in 2-3 years

[AC]

Originally Posted by FormerPresJamesTaylor

Yes, he is. It's a 1 1/2 hour flight from Columbus to Philly, and his family doesn't have to cross a border. Is it right next door? No. But it's a lot closer than Calgary

Where do people think Columbus is?

Yes, of course. I just meant relative to the NJ/NYI/PHI rumoured options.

Maybe the 1.5 hour flight between Columbus and Philly is the key.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Too bad for Guy. Columbus fans won't even know who he is, or give a ####.

Whereas in Calgary he's a local celebrity among the fans and is celebrated wherever he goes.

Yeah, I think Guy really enjoyed living vicariously through Johnny. It was fun, but also kind of sad and weird.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

There are always these kinds of weird rumors. There were his coke rumors. a poster said Johnny's roommate was his student and he had a few bad performance years for legit reasons, etc. (didn't specify but it seemed like a rough time).

It's all easier to try to make sense of these now that this has happened. Seems like there are some grains of truth here.

These where more than just rumours, there was truth to them.

But I think both cleaned up their acts.

[Southside]

Too many exes in Calgary for young Mrs Gaudreaus liking?

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

What part of ‘immediately traded’ did you miss?

What part of who the heck has ever done a sign and trade did you miss?

Makes no sense at all for Columbus.

[dammage79]

Someone a ways back said Johnny wasn't staying because of one person specifically in the organization. Now I'm curious as to whom.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by c.t.ner

It is a 100% this.

COngratulations Johnny Hockey on choosing hockey purgatory over a chance to win a cup and become a legend.

Franchise records holder, name in the rafters, 15 more million, your best friends and a competitive team is surely better than... whatever this is lol. Weekend granparent visits be damned.

[FormerPresJamesTaylor]

Originally Posted by Jordan!

Makes no sense. Columbus has the same issues with big city fun as Calgary. Next to no big league sports, boring city. Etc. bad weather. f

lol oh shut up

[Scroopy Noopers]

I’m not even mad anymore. This is all ####ing hilarious.

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

Originally Posted by neo45

Johnny screwing this up this badly actually might help with Tkachuk


There’s zero chance Johnny wanted to be a Blue Jacket with his once in a career crack at UFA. He messed up royally here

This just means Tre won't hear a definitive word one way or another regarding Matthew's desire to stay. That way his agent won't make the same mistake Johnny's did.

Of course, that will be the signal for Tre to sell.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Dont know if its the case with Johnny because i have no idea, but its a thing among some players and that is its not necessarily Calgary that is the issue, but the country.

A LOT of guys were really unhappy with the COVID restrictions here compared to below the 49th.

There may be another wave coming....and more lockdowns etc.

Is that enough of a deterrent to leave 15-18M on the table?

Maybe for some....though its hard for me to wrap my head around.

I wouldn't underestimate this. The world is becoming more polarized and Canada's restrictions really got to a lot of people, particularly Americans.

Also, people don't know really get how a media can weigh on someone's psyche. This could have 100% been a media issue. I've seen people quit jobs (for lower paying ones) over much sillier reasons than having a national media hounding them. A good's night sleep can be priceless.

Still wtf? Columbus?

[Hockey_Ninja]

Tbh I wouldn’t be shocked if Johnny just wanted to go to a small market where the spotlight isn’t on his as much and he doesn’t have to deal with crazy Canadian hockey fans as often

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

What part of who the heck has ever done a sign and trade did you miss?

Of course it was never going to happen. But Gaudreau's attitude towards the team would be irrelevant if it did.

Makes no sense at all for Columbus.

Nobody was talking about Columbus. The idea was a sign-and-trade from Calgary to Philly.

[questionmotives]

We can at least boo him now, right?!

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Flames Fan, Ph.D.

This just means Tre won't hear a definitive word one way or another regarding Matthew's desire to stay. That way his agent won't make the same mistake Johnny's did.



Of course, that will be the signal for Tre to sell.

If a 1st is on the table for Tkachuk you take it and run