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

[Cecil Terwilliger]

No doubt in my mind he wanted a small market team where he’d be THE guy and not ever have to worry about the pressure of winning.

CBJ is close enough to jersey for family purposes and more importantly he’s in the EC now.

I’m guessing he didn’t like the idea of going to a Philly market where he’s just as likely to be booed off the ice if he fails to bring them a cup or to jersey where there are other potential stars who might hold him accountable or usurp him as the star.

Columbus is a wasteland for talent with no expectations and no fishbowl situation. He can ride out the rest of his career and continue to have playoff series where he puts up 0G and 1A and is -5 for the rest of his days in relative peace.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Clearly there's something behind the scenes we don't know about. I recall a poster here weeks ago saying that there was a person in the Flames organization that may prohibit his return. Maybe that's what it all came down to? One of the more bizarre free agency moves ever.

You would think it’s easy - just remove that person then

Unless the person is BT and the owners want BT around

[Flames Fan, Ph.D.]

NJD must have tried to squeeze him with some of the contract provisions, which were hinted at by Seravelli. Could have been NTC/NMC issues, since Johnny would have wanted rock solid guarantee of staying local, while NJD may have been mindful that their strong window opening may come at a time when Johnny's contract would be better off traded away.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

He was NEVER signing in Calgary no matter what fictitious scenario you dream up.

I didn't dream up the scenario, cupcake. You just didn't understand it.

[djsFlames]

See, this just doesn't seem like what was in John's heart.

Even the Devils makes more sense.

When its this strange, you can't help but circle back to the wife's preference.

What else could it be, really.

[FanIn80]

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.

Good thing for Guy's heart problems that Johnny sign..... holy hell was that a cannon?!!

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Clearly there's something behind the scenes we don't know about. I recall a poster here weeks ago saying that there was a person in the Flames organization that may prohibit his return. Maybe that's what it all came down to? One of the more bizarre free agency moves ever.

Yeah see? I posted the same thing a few minutes ago. I knew I didn't just drum that up out of nowhere.

Where is that poster?

[Tkachukwagon]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1547372836821549056

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Yeah there have been many posts hinting at him not being treated right or unhappy with the organization in some way, may have been personnel but I seem to recall it was leaning towards a player?

He spoke glowingly about Sutter, so if not a player I can only imagine it could have been Treliving or ownership that he had problems with that couldn't be sorted. In terms of players, the only one who could be a problem and have clout in the team like Johnny would be Tkachuk.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

I didn't dream up the scenario, cupcake. You just didn't understand it.

Sorry about your butthurt, and lack of reading comprehension.

Maybe turn off CP for a bit.

[lazypucker]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Is anyone saying this is revenge for contract negotiations from six years ago?

Or did a knowledgeable poster imply that there may be issues with how players view the organization, and that could be one of several reasons behind it?

Johnny and his agent won't screw themselves just to seek revenge. They think they are really hot sh*t in the UFA market but in reality not so much...

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I mean this is clearly just a slap in the face to the team. Possibly the city. Dude is getting booed so hard.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

See, this just doesn't seem like what was in John's heart.

Even the Devils makes more sense.

When its this strange, you can't help but circle back to the wife's preference.

What else could it be, really.

Irrelevant.

[GullFoss]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Clearly there's something behind the scenes we don't know about. I recall a poster here weeks ago saying that there was a person in the Flames organization that may prohibit his return. Maybe that's what it all came down to? One of the more bizarre free agency moves ever.

This makes no sense. Who would that be? You're telling me they're willing to offer him $10.5m x 8, but not willing to trade or fire someone within the organization for Johnny

[home_sweet_dome]

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I have to ask…

Is Johnny stupid? Like, seriously is he just a stupid person?

He should be called Johnny Cokehead instead of Johnny Hockey from this day forward.

This is why you shouldn't do drugs kids

[mile]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Is anyone saying this is revenge for contract negotiations from six years ago?

Or did a knowledgeable poster imply that there may be issues with how players view the organization, and that could be one of several reasons behind it?

If that was the case, I feel like someone like Ryan Leslie wouldn't be stunned. Steinberg wouldn't be stunned. Both of them are around the team and in the know.


Weirdly this makes me feel a lot less gloomy about the Flames.

[FormerPresJamesTaylor]

Originally Posted by home_sweet_dome

He should be called Johnny Cokehead instead of Johnny Hockey from this day forward.

This is why you shouldn't do drugs kids

Chill the #### out

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Clearly there's something behind the scenes we don't know about. I recall a poster here weeks ago saying that there was a person in the Flames organization that may prohibit his return. Maybe that's what it all came down to? One of the more bizarre free agency moves ever.

that wouldn't explain walking away from the NJ offer though (if it was legit).

very strange.

Maybe he's a huge Buckeye fan?!

[blankall]

Originally Posted by looooob

it was joked about at the time, but watch it be Craig Freaking Conroy

He does seem like the kind of guy who would back you into overly long conversations....Not Kelly Hrudey bad....but I could see that getting annoying. He decided to banish himself to Columbus, because Conroy is a close talker?

[Flabbibulin]

Possible that 9.5 in columbus is like 11-12 mil in NJ?