To Calgary | By Johnny Gaudreau - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Cole436 · 07-20-2022, 08:28 AM

Quote:

I want to set the record straight on a few things I’ve heard over the last week.

I’ve heard people say that I was using Calgary for leverage, and that I “always knew” I was leaving. I’ve heard people say that, with the kind of money I’m making, and with how easy it is to hop on a plane, location shouldn’t be an issue.

And while I normally wouldn’t give that stuff the time of day, I feel like I owe it to Flames fans to be honest.

For what it’s worth, I didn’t know for sure what I wanted to do up until the last hours of the last day. Man, even after I turned down the eight-year deal from Calgary, I still thought about going back and trying to work on a seven-year deal to stay. It was all on the table for the entire process. Maybe that seems messy … but life is messy, you know?

https://www.theplayerstribune.com/po...s-blue-jackets

Roof-Daddy · 07-20-2022, 08:36 AM

Geography.

Geography killed our rebuild/core

First Fox
Then Gaudreau
Now probably Tkachuk too

I appreciate the message from Johnny.

Leondros · 07-20-2022, 08:37 AM

I get it, I really do. I'm still skeptical of Columbus being able to tick those boxes for him, but maybe it will work out.

Huntingwhale · 07-20-2022, 08:38 AM

Looking forward to seeing how people still crap all over him for this.
/s

I might be one of the few who won't boo him on his return, and instead will reflect on his time here as a positive for the organization. Wasn't supposed to amount to anything other than a boom/bust middle 6 winger at his peak. Instead he was both an Art Ross darkhorse and Hart caliber player much of his time here. One of the most exciting players I've ever had the pleasure of watching who will be missed both on and off the ice. The departure was nasty, but #### happens in life that we don't intend and being in the spotlight amplifies that.

Best of luck to him with the CBJ.

Jacks · 07-20-2022, 08:38 AM

Damage control.

flamesrule_kipper34 · 07-20-2022, 08:41 AM

It's a good article and I definitely sense him being genuine.

I think a lot of what we've witnessed since the night before FA until now has been things we haven't necessarily focused on before with him...immaturity and unpreparedness.

Unfortunately for him, that is a lot of what will be taken from him and tarnish his legacy but reading this letter to me, I definitely understand and appreciate the human side more.

I don't think we have to debate Columbus the hockey market or choice that goes back to the immaturity/unpreparedness.

But it was a good read, and I appreciate the message.

Jiggy_12 · 07-20-2022, 08:41 AM

Meh. Thanks Jonny, I don’t think there was malice.

But walking away from your “take it or leave it” offer after the Flames gave what you want will leave a sour taste for a while

chummer · 07-20-2022, 08:41 AM

"We wanted to re-sign last summer."

Ok Brad, why didn't that happen?

Icon · 07-20-2022, 08:41 AM

I still don't understand picking Columbus instead of New Jersey even if the offer was slightly higher. And maybe it's silly but I think if he would have picked NJ then it would have stung less.

Icon · 07-20-2022, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chummer

"We wanted to re-sign last summer."

Ok Brad, why didn't that happen?

Well the easy answer is he wanted to re-sign at a similar AAV that he just signed to (or more), and at the time the Flames weren't interested in paying that much.

Cecil Terwilliger · 07-20-2022, 08:44 AM

I really appreciate Johnny’s agent taking the time to write that article for him.

Benched · 07-20-2022, 08:44 AM

I thought it was a good piece, pretty much what we expected, but confirmed in his own words.

For me anyway, it basically cools a bit of anger I had.

Tkachukwagon · 07-20-2022, 08:44 AM

This does nothing for me. I wish Johnny a good, playoff free rest of his career.

SuperMatt18 · 07-20-2022, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icon

I still don't understand picking Columbus instead of New Jersey even if the offer was slightly higher. And maybe it's silly but I think if he would have picked NJ then it would have stung less.

It actually sounds like the NJ might have been slightly higher or very close.

I think in the end his family preferred Columbus over NJ for whatever reason.

Abstract · 07-20-2022, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Icon

I still don't understand picking Columbus instead of New Jersey even if the offer was slightly higher. And maybe it's silly but I think if he would have picked NJ then it would have stung less.

He covered that on the chiclets interview. He wanted to be close to home but not actually home. Too many distractions etc

Lanny_McDonald · 07-20-2022, 08:46 AM

The impact of his father's heart attack changed a lot of things for Johnny Hockey. Have to respect that after going through similar issues with sick parents and then losing them. Changes your perspective and priorities.

Moneyhands23 · 07-20-2022, 08:46 AM

I will be giving him my #13 jersey back when he returns to the dome.

googol · 07-20-2022, 08:48 AM

Could understand him wanting to go home if it was Philly or NJ. But Columbus is still a flight away from home.

I understand that it was a hard decision for sure. But hockey players do have a long offseason

SuperMatt18 · 07-20-2022, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

I will be giving him my #13 jersey back when he returns to the dome.

Go be an Oilers fan if you want to throw your jersey on the ice.

Cecil Terwilliger · 07-20-2022, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

I will be giving him my #13 jersey back when he returns to the dome.

Oh dear god no. Jersey tosses are for stinktown. We don’t do that here.