To Calgary | By Johnny Gaudreau

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

1 week too late with this letter. Still we as Flames fans should not throw jerseys onto the ice. We need to throw lit flaming jerseys onto the ice.

If he put this out one week ago...wouldn’t that mean he knew was gone a while ago? Him taking the time to write this afterwards tells me Calgary was never out of the mix. I believe it when Johnny said he wanted to come back. Actually, watching his final season presser told me how much he would’ve loved to come back.

But that was just his opinion and it ultimately wasn’t his call. With some pro athletes, it’s 100% their call. Johnny’s decision seemed more like 1/3 split between himself, wife and family.

[Spinach]

I don't get why he chose Columbus over, say, the Devils. Maybe NJ didn't want him. Aside from that, we can't read the guy's mind, and are there enough known facts to back up Gaudreau having ulterior motives (as vague a term as that is) for leaving Calgary? We may never know, just like the details of a lot of trades or signings don't become public knowledge until years later.

Hey, if Wayne Gretzky can be traded, anybody can be traded.

Oh, wait...

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Spinach

I don't get why he chose Columbus over, say, the Devils. Maybe NJ didn't want him. Aside from that, we can't read the guy's mind, and are there enough known facts to back up Gaudreau having ulterior motives (as vague a term as that is) for leaving Calgary? We may never know, just like the details of a lot of trades or signings don't become public knowledge until years later.

Hey, if Wayne Gretzky can be traded, anybody can be traded.

Oh, wait...

NJ's offer didn't include a NTC.

[Gemnoble]

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.

His wife might have family there.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Wonder what Chucky's letter to Calgary will look like? Lol

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

Wonder what Chucky's letter to Calgary will look like? Lol

To Calgary, at least I didn't dick you like Johnny

[WCW Nitro]

To Calgary by Elias, Rasmus, and Jacob.

You see the thing is flights to Sweden take a lot less time from the East coast. Ok bye.

[djsFlames]

The 'wanted to go closer to home but not TOO close' is still ####ing stupid, and more so that it was a decision clearly made on a whim.

8 hour drive. The visits won't be much more frequent at all.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

The 'wanted to go closer to home but not TOO close' is still ####ing stupid, and more so that it was a decision clearly made on a whim.

8 hour drive. The visits won't be much more frequent at all.

That's just the excuse when Philly didn't come to the table...remember he still has to sell to Columbus fans that he actually choose them and didn't just fall backwards into Columbus.

And honestly people overestimate a 7 hour drive - for parent/grandparents that aren't working a 7 hour drive is nothing.

I mentioned it in another thread but my in laws moved from Ottawa to Calgary to be closer to their grandkids in Calgary, Prince George, and eventually Edmonton.

They moved here in Sept 2021 and I think they've made the drive to Prince George 3 times already - they could fly but honestly the find that drive easier than the flight to Prince George as long as the weather is good. My sister in law has chosen to drive to Calgary over flying with a 2 and 4 year old as well. Finds the drive easier than navigating the kids through airports and dragging luggage around.

[NOISIA]

Originally Posted by WCW Nitro

To Calgary by Elias, Rasmus, and Jacob.

You see the thing is flights to Sweden take a lot less time from the East coast. Ok bye.

Oliver obviously also.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Saving face.
Sounds like a guy who left his wife & kids for the mistress but doesn't want everyone to hate him or treat him differently.

Actions have consequences kid.

[Zulu29]

I dunno, I was po’d after the whole thing went down but I appreciate he took the time to write the fans. Wish it would’ve ended differently but no hard feelings Johnny.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Well, as was discussed yesterday, it's not just one report any more. Everything others have reported supports it.

And I haven't heard any new Flames offer after the UFA date being confirmed, and really it goes against what Treliving said in his presser. He said the door was closed. And looked pissed when he said it. But even if it is, sometimes you bite your tongue and try to continue to negotiate even when the other side is dicking around. Because you have an obligation to try.

Please link. The reports you reference support multiple possibilities. I think you're suffering from confirmation bias.

Did Treliving actually say "the door is closed"? I thought he was asked about circling back and his answer was something along the lines of "don't anticipate that happening"

Gaudreau referenced 7 years in this article. Steinberg mentions 7 yrs: around 1:30 in

Steinberg says, in reference to 10.5x8; "from everything I've been lead to believe and understand I don't believe that was a final firm offer like no we will not go a penny more, there was room to move on it. I've even heard from a people that I really trust that they doubled back on Wednesday and were willing to up that AAV even more."


More importantly Steinberg even contradicts the idea that 10.5x8 was final final final. Which doesn't necessarily mean there wasn't an 'agreement' at that number, but it certainly doesn't support it.

Friedman: "I don't know what happened in those conversations between Calgary and Gaudreau, but I can say this, the Flames believed there was a point where it was going to get done."

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

Please link. The reports you reference support multiple possibilities. I think you're suffering from confirmation bias.

Did Treliving actually say "the door is closed"? I thought he was asked about circling back and his answer was something along the lines of "don't anticipate that happening"

Gaudreau referenced 7 years in this article. Steinberg mentions 7 yrs: around 1:30 in

Steinberg says, in reference to 10.5x8; "from everything I've been lead to believe and understand I don't believe that was a final firm offer like no we will not go a penny more, there was room to move on it. I've even heard from a people that I really trust that they doubled back on Wednesday and were willing to up that AAV even more."


More importantly Steinberg even contradicts the idea that 10.5x8 was final final final. Which doesn't necessarily mean there wasn't an 'agreement' at that number, but it certainly doesn't support it.

Friedman: "I don't know what happened in those conversations between Calgary and Gaudreau, but I can say this, the Flames believed there was a point where it was going to get done."

"The door is closed" is my wording. But if you watched that presser, the door was closed.

The links are all in the other thread. The Flames, according to two sources, thought they had a deal done. Which lines up with the demands being met story, the Gross statement and things Treliving said.

I think you really really want to believe JG didn't dick around. But even his story indicates he did. Referencing flip flopping to the last second, etc.

and this stuff from Steinberg/Francis:

"If this was handled professionally then it would just be sour grapes to bitch and moan about him going somewhere else. But the 2 things I keep coming back to: deception and destination."

"I get it, until you have a deal signed you don't have a deal. I heard your earlier talk about it-- I know Elliotte talked about it-- I'm well aware of exactly how it all unfolded. The Calgary Flames believed they had a deal, right near the 11th hour."

He then specifically says no shame on the Flames because they bargained in good faith but had everything pulled out from under them at the 11th hour. He later refers to Gaudreau "yanking the deal at the end".

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

Ha! I'm a cowboys fan...lol my teams have been killing me for 25 years

Saints fan here, all I know is strong regular seasons followed by playoff choke jobs. Stamps too, but at least they sprinkle in a title here & there. Sometimes I wonder why I'm a sports fan. That said, with all this mess, Saints szn can't come soon enough..

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

The thing is though...why do all of that for leverage and then throw all that leverage away.

Johnny didn't seem to leverage the Flames $10.5M offer at all in his negotiations - or else he's not signing for $9.7M.

If you're trying to do it for leverage your agent isn't going to the media and saying "The Flames did all they could and in the end this was a family decision"

He would have said "the Flames didn't offer enough money so we are going to free agency".

The whole stringing along the Flames for leverage thing makes no sense when you look at what actually happened and what was said before he even signed in Columbus.

TBF, if he said the bolded and ended up with this CBJ deal, Gross would look like even more of a jackass.

Originally Posted by GioforPM

"The door is closed" is my wording. But if you watched that presser, the door was closed.

The links are all in the other thread. The Flames, according to two sources, thought they had a deal done. Which lines up with the demands being met story, the Gross statement and things Treliving said.

I think you really really want to believe JG didn't dick around. But even his story indicates he did. Referencing flip flopping to the last second, etc.

and this stuff from Steinberg/Francis:

"If this was handled professionally then it would just be sour grapes to bitch and moan about him going somewhere else. But the 2 things I keep coming back to: deception and destination."

"I get it, until you have a deal signed you don't have a deal. I heard your earlier talk about it-- I know Elliotte talked about it-- I'm well aware of exactly how it all unfolded. The Calgary Flames believed they had a deal, right near the 11th hour."

He then specifically says no shame on the Flames because they bargained in good faith but had everything pulled out from under them at the 11th hour. He later refers to Gaudreau "yanking the deal at the end".

There's more evidence that the door wasn't closed than of any ultimatum. I recall "don't anticipate that happening" from Tre...do you have anything stronger? Do you think his [alleged] ghostwriter completely invented that bit about 7 years with CGY?


All of those quotes support multiple scenarios, including where things get close but just don't happen. None of them exclusively support the idea that Johnny told Gross to give an ultimatum and then reneged. We have exactly 1 piece of evidence supporting that scenario - the CP post (which I reiterate seemed to be a 3rd hand account at best).

Everything else is innuendo - "The Flames thought a deal was going to get done." that can certainly be used to connect many different dots that may or may not actually be there. We know Gaudreau yanked the 'deal' at the end. We don't know what that actually means - there are dozens of plausible fail points.


I just watched an interview where Steinberg concluded with "he really did do nothing wrong when it's all said and done."https://youtu.be/DlpbOls1g6E?t=592. A pretty significant difference from his high-school gossip session with Francis that you're quoting.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

TBF, if he said the bolded and ended up with this CBJ deal, Gross would look like even more of a jackass.




There's more evidence that the door wasn't closed than of any ultimatum. I recall "don't anticipate that happening" from Tre...do you have anything stronger? Do you think his [alleged] ghostwriter completely invented that bit about 7 years with CGY?


All of those quotes support multiple scenarios, including where things get close but just don't happen. None of them exclusively support the idea that Johnny told Gross to give an ultimatum and then reneged. We have exactly 1 piece of evidence supporting that scenario - the CP post (which I reiterate seemed to be a 3rd hand account at best).

Everything else is innuendo - "The Flames thought a deal was going to get done." that can certainly be used to connect many different dots that may or may not actually be there. We know Gaudreau yanked the 'deal' at the end. We don't know what that actually means - there are dozens of plausible fail points.


I just watched an interview where Steinberg concluded with "he really did do nothing wrong when it's all said and done."https://youtu.be/DlpbOls1g6E?t=592. A pretty significant difference from his high-school gossip session with Francis that you're quoting.

He did nothing wrong per the CBA.

I watched the same Treliving presser everyone else did. Watch how he said things as well as what he said. Everything points to what was said in that unsolicited, very detailed, post here.

[Itse]

I appreciate that he cares about what fans here in Calgary think, because he doesn't need to care anymore. He doesn't need our support anymore, or our money.

There was no need for him to write this (ghostwritten or not), so it says a lot that he did.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

What is so hilarious? It’s part of the hiring process. I can’t assume they would hire me or they can’t assume I would accept their offer until we have an accepted offer signed by me.

I don’t think it’s bad faith even if they offered everything I wanted. I may have better offer or my current employer may talk me out of it or maybe I chickened out last minute because I felt uncomfortable.

In addition to what Gio4PM said, what is hilarious is that you have been railing that BT f'd this all up and that he should have known, while also saying that this happens all the time and is totally normal business.

[Bonded]

Originally Posted by Fighting Banana Slug

In addition to what Gio4PM said, what is hilarious is that you have been railing that BT f'd this all up and that he should have known, while also saying that this happens all the time and is totally normal business.

It is because they are an Oiler fan and are trying their best to troll lol