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

[pylon]

For those of you that are accusing him of being whipped, a #### (rhymes with duck), a momma's boy.... whatever it is, give your heads a shake. There is a dynamic in every relationship, and even if that was the case..... so be it. That mat very well be the dynamic in his. Some people need that guidance in their lives. It's pretty clear watching Johnny talk, he isn't exactly a dominating personality, and he definitely comes across a a guy that's had a lot of decisions made for him. And that's just the way he is. It's not a flaw, it's just who he is.

Not every dude walks in the front door after a hard day of work, slaps his wife on the ass, and says "Go cook me dinner Toots, and look sexy doing it."

If the guy left in consideration of his wife's wishes, so be it. He is still getting paid 68.5 mil for the next 7 years to play. And that very well may be enough for him. And maybe to the Gaudreaus, they are perfectly fine with 68.5 vs 84 mil to be where they want to be.

Maybe he doesn't care as much about winning a cup as we'd like to think he did.

Maybe he doesn't like Calgary as much as we thought or he has said he did.

And if either of the above are true, then you should be happy he's gone, because those two things, can almost assure you, he isn't the ticket to a cup.

Let it go, move on, and take the high road when he returns for a game, and give him a cheer for the 8 years of excellent playmaking he gave us. Booing him and shouting profanities is just going to make you look like a petty and jilted ex... who in the end, deserved to be left.

[kipperiggy]

Originally Posted by dino7c

He will have no problem getting 4, probably more
Gudbranson got 4x4

He is waiting for the Avs

It’s gotta sting a bit they are extending everyone else first. Gotta wonder why.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by kipperiggy

It’s gotta sting a bit they are extending everyone else first. Gotta wonder why.

He is the biggest and most expensive fish

[Red Potato Standing By]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

It’s probably a bad deal if we signed him but the problem was we lost our best player for nothing.

Sure hindsight says he should of been traded I guess, but unfortunately haven’t seen anything that helps with that ( besides how many teams trade their best player away when they think they can sign them.)

[CaptainCrunch]

I've had a few days to cool down on this thing. I mean frankly and most of you know this, I'm not the hockey fan that I used to be. I still care about the Flames and how they do, but I'm not the follow the draft and prospects and all the nuances of hockey. I'm not a follow the math guy when it comes to team analysis. If I like how they play I like it, if I don't, I don't.


Gaudreau had all the power here. The power over the Flames, the power over his agent. That was his, he'd earned it by putting in the time, and driving up his value with his play.



I would expect that there are several people that are incredibly mad at Johnny as well.


His agent, who lost a ton of commission probably due to Johnny's dithering.
The Flames organization, it feels like Johnny dicked them over at the last possible moment.
His fans, his clumsy press conference combined with the way he handled the whole thing, probably badly hurt the feelings of the Flames fanbase. And no late, after he realized the damage that he did, gesture is going to salve that wound in the short term.


I'm hoping if Gaudreau comes to play in Calgary and maybe brings his family that the Flames and their fans are classy. I know that there's going to have to be some kind of video tribute. We need to be polite and show how classy and to an extent forgiving the fanbase is. If Guy comes out, or Johnny's mom or Sister or whatever. Don't swear at them. Or babble about how he screwed the Flames or whatever that idiots do. Buy them a beer. Tell them it was nice that they came whatever.


Give polite applause to a video tribute. If you feel the need to chant his name or thank you or whatever, go for it. I probably wouldn't be this guy.


At the same time. I hope his former team mates do everything to get him off of his game. They they put some extra pepper into hitting him. Nothing dirty mind you. Just help him find the bus back to the airport through the center ice boards.



But this chapter is over, there's really nothing more the be said. The Flaming C will continue without Gaudrea, just like it survived without Iginla, or Lanny etc.


I mean we're probably going to be hurt again shortly when MT moves on, and kids . . . . that day is coming fast. The Flames have been burnt by a player that dragged this out and gave hope. I expect the Flames to take a much more cynical approach with MT.



Anyways. Time to move on. To de nametag the Johnny 13 jerseys. To put away the hurt feelings and move on.



Feel sorry for his manager, who probably realized that he can't afford the good mac and cheese thanks to Johnny's maneuaver and is bitterly bitting into a steaming plate of Compliment's mac and cheese and choking down powdery cheese balls because that crap never mixes right.



He's the real victim here.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Someone told him you look like an idiot please go on TV and say nice things about Calgary...they should have told him sooner.

I still don't get how he was shocked by questions about Calgary, it boggles the mind really.

Or, he's moving on with his life and isn't worried about pacifying emotional toddlers who will find fault with him no matter what he says?

Maybe he's a little overwhelmed with all the changes happening and is devoting more brainpower to the things that matter to him going forward.


If I accepted a job in a different city I'd be focused on getting those logistics sorted out. There would be plenty of time later for heart2hearts with the colleagues I'm leaving.

[overtimewin]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Then he is the dumbest human being on earth...he ditched Calgary after all these years even though they gave him the most money and he was shocked they asked about it! lol
To me he seems to be changing his tune realizing how bad it all looks but it was still dirty pool.

I won't be attacking his family on social media or anything but I hope someone runs him through the boards...if I'm at the game I will probably boo. Being forced at gunpoint to say something nice 3 days later doesn't change that. They can also stick the video montage up their bums, no thanks.

All this being said with hindsight of these events its probably best we didn't give him 10.5x8...nobody can argue winning is a top priority for him. I guess some of the haters were right on that one all these years.

We are all human - imaging having to change his mind/get controlled by his wife...along with all the pressure, lack of sleep. He was never the most emotionally cheerful guy out there in interviews, kinda subdued.

I respect your opinion (except probably the part about running him, lol) - but I truly believe his desire was to stay...and to me, that means enough for me to understand, not be happy about it but understand.....

yeah, just a bum deal all around....well... Except for MERIDETH ofcourse, she's partying it up

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

I just watched the full interview with Gaudreau, and it does nothing to change my thoughts on him. I believe he's a liar and this interview helped re affirm it for 2 reasons.

1) When asked about his comments relating to Calgary the day prior, he never apologized for it. Just said it caught him off guard.

2) When he was asked if there was any reason he had to leave Calgary, he stammered and stuttered like there was way more he wanted to say, but he didn't.

The kid is so full of it his eyes are turning brown, this team is better off without someone of that character.

1) He did say he didn’t intend to hurt anyone’s feelings though which is pretty close. But something tells me him saying word sorry still wouldn’t change much for a lot of people anyway who are blinded by their rage.

2) You’re right, it did sound like he had more to say, but would you yourself have thrown your wife under the bus? “Oh I wanted to come back to Calgary and tried to convince my wife, but she said no and it’s her fault, blame her everyone.” That’s not going to happen, he took the slings and arrows like any good husband would’ve done for his wife.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

1) He did say he didn’t intend to hurt anyone’s feelings though which is pretty close. But something tells me him saying word sorry still wouldn’t change much for a lot of people anyway who are blinded by their rage.

2) You’re right, it did sound like he had more to say, but would you yourself have thrown your wife under the bus? “Oh I wanted to come back to Calgary and tried to convince my wife, but she said no and it’s her fault, blame her everyone.” That’s not going to happen, he took the slings and arrows like any good husband would’ve done for his wife.

1) the road to hell is paved with good intentions. His dishonesty/indecisiveness screwed the flames. I'm not upset that he chose to leave, but rather how he treated the flames when he left. That's why I'll be booing him upon return.

2) There is nothing concrete to blame this all on his wife. There could have been tons of issues that led him to the choice of screwing the flames. Edward's? Treliving? Chicken on the way not using trans fats anymore? We won't know because Johnny BS struggles with honesty.

[Hackey]

I'm curious to know if he knew his only two options were Calgary or Columbus if he still would have chosen Columbus. I feel he burned the bridge with Calgary before actually knowing what his options were. Maybe he would have circled back to Calgary if he could have, but it seems like there was no going back once whatever happened between his side and the Flames side right before testing free agency.

[Steve Macfarlane]

Treliving may be on his last legs as Flames GM but he's got one more shot and it's hard to fault him with the Gaudreau situation because even other teams thought the Flames were going to get it done. It's all about Tkachuk now.

Now isn't the time to double down and gamble again. Have to lock him up as the face of the franchise, or commit to moving him before it's too late.

https://calgaryhockeynow.com/calgary...esson-learned/

[GullFoss]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Since Philly was out, he 100% would've chosen Calgary if he wasn't a married man with in-laws in the east.

This isn't a Calgary as a city/team thing, it's the disadvantage of its geographical location and that's pretty much it.

Exactly. And it's not even about a specific player. It's about a specific player in a specific circumstance: a wife that doesn't know many people in the city AND who is about to become a mom for the first time. With zero directly flights and a border between Calgary and her parents in a post-covid enviornment.

If Johnny had gotten married while in year 3 or 4 of his prior contract, this would not have happened as she would have made close friends in the city she could rely on for support. Or if he was a newly wed with no baby on the way, this would not have happened as she would probably have more time to build a support system and fly home without having to worry about about taking care of a baby.

Sometimes, the dice just don't roll your way. They ultimately decided leaving Calgary was the right decision for his family, but its an unfortunate outcome for Johnny and the Calgary flames. I bet it was an extremely close decision and he probably has reservations about the decision. But what is he going to say - "I loved Calgary and wanted to stay but my wife and her family had major reservations."? I 100% guarantee you that some clowns would usher threats against his wife and her family if he did that. He can't even risk inadvertently throwing them under the bus

Be jilted if you want, but it doesn't change the outcome. Sometimes, things just aren't meant to be. Better to just move forward.

[natecred]

As surprising as this whole thing has become, I think it actually works out really well for both sides.

For Johnny- Start a new chapter. 8 years is a long ass commitment. And unless your reeling in cups, who the hell wants to stay on the same team for his whole career? Go experience something different, it’s nothing against Calgary.

For the Flames - Again, start a new chapter. This core didn’t even come close to winning. The next 5 years are going to be about Mcdavid and Mackinnon in this conference. I’m sorry, but Johnny and Matty cannot level up with those players or teams when it matters. I think it’s become obvious in this league now, but you don’t win by building around wingers. It’s all about building through the middle.

Also, as it’s already been stated by others, they gotta manage their assets better. This should have been sorted out a year ago. They managed Iginla poorly too and hung onto him for 4 years too long. I hope they do better with Tkachuk.

Go Flames!

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Steve Macfarlane

Treliving may be on his last legs as Flames GM but he's got one more shot and it's hard to fault him with the Gaudreau situation because even other teams thought the Flames were going to get it done. It's all about Tkachuk now.

Now isn't the time to double down and gamble again. Have to lock him up as the face of the franchise, or commit to moving him before it's too late.

https://calgaryhockeynow.com/calgary...esson-learned/

I don't see how the Flames can wait until the fall to act on plan B. Plan B should be in motion now.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

1) the road to hell is paved with good intentions. His dishonesty/indecisiveness screwed the flames. I'm not upset that he chose to leave, but rather how he treated the flames when he left. That's why I'll be booing him upon return.

2) There is nothing concrete to blame this all on his wife. There could have been tons of issues that led him to the choice of screwing the flames. Edward's? Treliving? Chicken on the way not using trans fats anymore? We won't know because Johnny BS struggles with honesty.

1) I don’t think he was being dishonest at all, I think he himself wanted to come back based on everything he said leading up to free agency. That’s why Calgary was still in the mix at all, because this was Johnny’s preferred (realistic) destination.
Also, how exactly did he screw the Flames over? If he said he wasn’t coming back, which he didn’t know until close to the deadline anyway, what could the Flames have realistically accomplished? A 3rd round pick for his rights? Is this the giant screw job you’re talking about?

2) I doubt we’ll ever get anything concrete to pin this on someone specific. You must be new to professional sports because rarely do you get honesty in this business. You usually get cliches or prepared speeches and in the case of feee agency, leverage matters in negotiations, so you never show your true hand.

Boo him if you must, but I think Johnny was the only one in his circle that even considered the Flames as an option, to which I can at least appreciate his efforts. He was the face of this franchise, he provided tons of entertainment for the fanbase and as a 4th round pick, carried this team on his back for years. Remember, he could’ve stayed in college for one more year to go to free agency but decided to come to Calgary even though it upset his mom at the time. I for one will not be giving him the Adam Fox treatment as he legitimately spurned the Flames, Johnny chose to play for this franchise and he was a spectacular Calgary Flame. I’m going to give him the standing ovation he deserves to drown out your booing.

[ThePrince]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

Exactly. And it's not even about a specific player. It's about a specific player in a specific circumstance: a wife that doesn't know many people in the city AND who is about to become a mom for the first time. With zero directly flights and a border between Calgary and her parents in a post-covid enviornment.

If Johnny had gotten married while in year 3 or 4 of his prior contract, this would not have happened as she would have made close friends in the city she could rely on for support. Or if he was a newly wed with no baby on the way, this would not have happened as she would probably have more time to build a support system and fly home without having to worry about about taking care of a baby.

Sometimes, the dice just don't roll your way. They ultimately decided leaving Calgary was the right decision for his family, but its an unfortunate outcome for Johnny and the Calgary flames. I bet it was an extremely close decision and he probably has reservations about the decision. But what is he going to say - "I loved Calgary and wanted to stay but my wife and her family had major reservations."? I 100% guarantee you that some clowns would usher threats against his wife and her family if he did that. He can't even risk inadvertently throwing them under the bus

Be jilted if you want, but it doesn't change the outcome. Sometimes, things just aren't meant to be. Better to just move forward.

I 100% don’t fault Johnny for WHY he’s leaving. It’s his right to make the decision that’s best for him and his family, and it’s not fair to hate on him for doing what he wants to do with his life.

I think where I (and hopefully most people) get upset is with HOW it happened. If you knew your wife/family had no desire to stay in Calgary and wanted to get back close to family, that’s not something that is changed overnight. There’s no reason Johnny couldn’t have communicated this to the Flames earlier and put both parties in a better situation. It’s not like his family was going to change their minds about moving/staying the day of free agency.

That’s my whole issue with this. I think if this didn’t get sprung on the fan base the day of free agency and the Flames could have even got some assets for Johnny’s rights, a much smaller percentage of people would be faulting Johnny.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

So what?

If he thinks Columbus is better for his family than New Jersey, and that it’s a better fit for them, then that’s his decision to make.

He never actually said that Columbus is better than New Jersey, only that it is better than Calgary. As far as I noticed, he never mentioned the New Jersey option at all. And his reasons reek of special pleading and ex-post-facto rationalization.

I don't believe he or his family got what they wanted. I think they took the only good offer they could get after boxing themselves in with the ‘close to home’ story. Remember, the Blue Jackets were surprised to hear back from him, because they did not think he would actually consider their offer.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

Yes, absolutely, without question.

So you believe the purpose of the game of hockey is to accumulate assets, and not to win games. Gotcha.

[PuckDemon]

Originally Posted by ThePrince

I 100% don’t fault Johnny for WHY he’s leaving. It’s his right to make the decision that’s best for him and his family, and it’s not fair to hate on him for doing what he wants to do with his life.

I think where I (and hopefully most people) get upset is with HOW it happened. If you knew your wife/family had no desire to stay in Calgary and wanted to get back close to family, that’s not something that is changed overnight. There’s no reason Johnny couldn’t have communicated this to the Flames earlier and put both parties in a better situation. It’s not like his family was going to change their minds about moving/staying the day of free agency.

That’s my whole issue with this. I think if this didn’t get sprung on the fan base the day of free agency and the Flames could have even got some assets for Johnny’s rights, a much smaller percentage of people would be faulting Johnny.

If they were pretty much 50/50 torn between staying and leaving, why could the decision not have changed overnight? If the decision was black & white, Treliving would have set a deadline much sooner. Johnny could have done us a favor and figured it out early, but that's a favor, while it's the GM's job. Treliving made a gamble, and happened to lose.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

1) I don’t think he was being dishonest at all, I think he himself wanted to come back based on everything he said leading up to free agency. That’s why Calgary was still in the mix at all, because this was Johnny’s preferred (realistic) destination.
Also, how exactly did he screw the Flames over? If he said he wasn’t coming back, which he didn’t know until close to the deadline anyway, what could the Flames have realistically accomplished? A 3rd round pick for his rights? Is this the giant screw job you’re talking about?

2) I doubt we’ll ever get anything concrete to pin this on someone specific. You must be new to professional sports because rarely do you get honesty in this business. You usually get cliches or prepared speeches and in the case of feee agency, leverage matters in negotiations, so you never show your true hand.

Boo him if you must, but I think Johnny was the only one in his circle that even considered the Flames as an option, to which I can at least appreciate his efforts. He was the face of this franchise, he provided tons of entertainment for the fanbase and as a 4th round pick, carried this team on his back for years. Remember, he could’ve stayed in college for one more year to go to free agency but decided to come to Calgary even though it upset his mom at the time. I for one will not be giving him the Adam Fox treatment as he legitimately spurned the Flames, Johnny chose to play for this franchise and he was a spectacular Calgary Flame. I’m going to give him the standing ovation he deserves to drown out your booing.

1) Hey may have been either dishonest or indecisive, either way Johnny's choice to not sign last off-season / negotiate during the season eventually screwed us. I'd like to address this statement from you:

"That’s why Calgary was still in the mix at all, because this was Johnny’s preferred (realistic) destination"

And reply to it with another statement from you:

"You must be new to professional sports because rarely do you get honesty in this business".

Some people (not you) have been saying things like would you trade Johnny after his great season? Well using hindsight I could rephrase that question like "would you trade Johnny after we got stomped by our biggest rivals in round 2?" Either way, any assets for Gaudreau that could have been recouped would be better than what he set us up to get.

What Gaudreau did is still a step up on Fox, and I do appreciate his play and enjoyed his time while he was here, but it has been greatly soured by his / his agents actions this last year and especially last week. He will be booed by me and I'm quite sure by many others. And much like he earned the right to leave as a UFA, his actions have earned the booing he will get.