2023/2024 Trade Rumors and Speculation Thread

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Tbf, this Gaudreau stuff is pretty TMZ like. And I don't know why it should ve anybody business.

Anybody who makes millions of dollars in the public eye opens themselves up to this kind of reporting. I am not even the first person to report this. If you find that a person made a decision to put his marriage and family first over his hockey dreams as offensive and something that should not be made public then you probably have oversensitivity issues. Sometimes this place makes no sense, like 6 years ago people were posting about how Gaudreau was always out partying and doing a bunch of nose candy and that was perfectly fine, saying that he decided to focus more on his wife's desires over his own though is terrible, terrible I say!

[Jiri Hrdina]

This is what I strongly believe played out over those final days of Johnny's time with the Flames.

- The team and player had been negotiating for some time. At some point Johnny's camp outlined exactly what it would take for him to sign
- The Flames informed his agent that they would meet all of these requirements. At this point the Flames (and I believe the agent) though they had a done deal. Because of the size of the deal, of course Edwards was involved to approve it - and he approved agreeing to every term that Johnny was asking for. Make no mistake, they thought it was done. To the point that the Flames started to coordinate the press conference and other details to announce the signing.
- But that Johnny's camp went dead silent. Which was alarming because logistics needed to be worked out. Sure enough, hours later, Johnny informed the team that he would be testing free agent, which floored Calgary. I'm not sure if this came directly or if Johnny talked to BT himself. There is also speculation that at some point Edwards and Johnny talked directly with Murray tearing a strip off him.

All that stuff I believe is pretty close to being correct. The rest I'm less sure of but still somewhat confident that this is how it played out. I'm also not speculating as to why Johnny changed his mind, just that when it came time to put pen to paper, on a deal that met ALL his requirements, he backed off.

Johnny and his camp (himself, family and agent) were then stunned that interest in him including from specific teams (Philly) wasn't there. They badly mis-judged how he was perceived around the league and who would be interested. As other teams started to use their cap, panic started to set in. The first panic move was to go back to the Flames to try and get a deal done. But Edwards wouldn't entertain this at all. I suspect BT also felt badly burned and also had no interest. At that stage, the panic worsened for the Johnny side, and they started to worry about getting a much smaller deal than they thought, and efforts were made to "get the bag" where they could. They identified a team that had the strong motivation, cap room, and a player (Gudbransson) that could create a back-channel communication to let the Jackets know that Johnny was interested. And they grabbed that deal because that's the one that was out there for them.

That's how I think it all played out.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

This is what I strongly believe played out over those final days of Johnny's time with the Flames.

- The team and player had been negotiating for some time. At some point Johnny's camp outlined exactly what it would take for him to sign
- The Flames informed his agent that they would meet all of these requirements. At this point the Flames (and I believe the agent) though they had a done deal. Because of the size of the deal, of course Edwards was involved to approve it - and he approved agreeing to every term that Johnny was asking for. Make no mistake, they thought it was done. To the point that the Flames started to coordinate the press conference and other details to announce the signing.
- But that Johnny's camp went dead silent. Which was alarming because logistics needed to be worked out. Sure enough, hours later, Johnny informed the team that he would be testing free agent, which floored Calgary. I'm not sure if this came directly or if Johnny talked to BT himself. There is also speculation that at some point Edwards and Johnny talked directly with Murray tearing a strip off him.

All that stuff I believe is pretty close to being correct. The rest I'm less sure of but still somewhat confident that this is how it played out. I'm also not speculating as to why Johnny changed his mind, just that when it came time to put pen to paper, on a deal that met ALL his requirements, he backed off.

Johnny and his camp (himself, family and agent) were then stunned that interest in him including from specific teams (Philly) wasn't there. They badly mis-judged how he was perceived around the league and who would be interested. As other teams started to use their cap, panic started to set in. The first panic move was to go back to the Flames to try and get a deal done. But Edwards wouldn't entertain this at all. I suspect BT also felt badly burned and also had no interest. At that stage, the panic worsened for the Johnny side, and they started to worry about getting a much smaller deal than they thought, and efforts were made to "get the bag" where they could. They identified a team that had the strong motivation, cap room, and a player (Gudbransson) that could create a back-channel communication to let the Jackets know that Johnny was interested. And they grabbed that deal because that's the one that was out there for them.

That's how I think it all played out.

How does your agent fumble that bag about your perception in other markets that badly?

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

This is what I strongly believe played out over those final days of Johnny's time with the Flames.

- The team and player had been negotiating for some time. At some point Johnny's camp outlined exactly what it would take for him to sign
- The Flames informed his agent that they would meet all of these requirements. At this point the Flames (and I believe the agent) though they had a done deal. Because of the size of the deal, of course Edwards was involved to approve it - and he approved agreeing to every term that Johnny was asking for. Make no mistake, they thought it was done. To the point that the Flames started to coordinate the press conference and other details to announce the signing.
- But that Johnny's camp went dead silent. Which was alarming because logistics needed to be worked out. Sure enough, hours later, Johnny informed the team that he would be testing free agent, which floored Calgary. I'm not sure if this came directly or if Johnny talked to BT himself. There is also speculation that at some point Edwards and Johnny talked directly with Murray tearing a strip off him.

All that stuff I believe is pretty close to being correct. The rest I'm less sure of but still somewhat confident that this is how it played out. I'm also not speculating as to why Johnny changed his mind, just that when it came time to put pen to paper, on a deal that met ALL his requirements, he backed off.

Johnny and his camp (himself, family and agent) were then stunned that interest in him including from specific teams (Philly) wasn't there. They badly mis-judged how he was perceived around the league and who would be interested. As other teams started to use their cap, panic started to set in. The first panic move was to go back to the Flames to try and get a deal done. But Edwards wouldn't entertain this at all. I suspect BT also felt badly burned and also had no interest. At that stage, the panic worsened for the Johnny side, and they started to worry about getting a much smaller deal than they thought, and efforts were made to "get the bag" where they could. They identified a team that had the strong motivation, cap room, and a player (Gudbransson) that could create a back-channel communication to let the Jackets know that Johnny was interested. And they grabbed that deal because that's the one that was out there for them.

That's how I think it all played out.

And then Murray wanted a new toy to replace Johnny and that is how we locked down Huberdeau for the same contract that they offered Gaudreau. And Murray actually thought he was getting a better player then Johnny.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

How does your agent fumble that bag about your perception in other markets that badly?

The agent may have been strongly advocating to getting a deal done in Calgary knowing that perhaps interest wasn’t as strong elsewhere

[Sylvanfan]

I'll say this. Gaudreau struggling makes me want to laugh at him Nelson Munz style and at least is kind of satisfying in the way an Oilers losing streak is. Sean Monahsn having some success makes me feel good and forget the Flames struggles. Tkachuck...I do resent some of his success because I'd rather it wss happening here and it's looking like a Gilmour-esque trade now that Weegar will have to salvage.

[GullFoss]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

This is what I strongly believe played out over those final days of Johnny's time with the Flames.

- The team and player had been negotiating for some time. At some point Johnny's camp outlined exactly what it would take for him to sign
- The Flames informed his agent that they would meet all of these requirements. At this point the Flames (and I believe the agent) though they had a done deal. Because of the size of the deal, of course Edwards was involved to approve it - and he approved agreeing to every term that Johnny was asking for. Make no mistake, they thought it was done. To the point that the Flames started to coordinate the press conference and other details to announce the signing.
- But that Johnny's camp went dead silent. Which was alarming because logistics needed to be worked out. Sure enough, hours later, Johnny informed the team that he would be testing free agent, which floored Calgary. I'm not sure if this came directly or if Johnny talked to BT himself. There is also speculation that at some point Edwards and Johnny talked directly with Murray tearing a strip off him.

All that stuff I believe is pretty close to being correct. The rest I'm less sure of but still somewhat confident that this is how it played out. I'm also not speculating as to why Johnny changed his mind, just that when it came time to put pen to paper, on a deal that met ALL his requirements, he backed off.

Johnny and his camp (himself, family and agent) were then stunned that interest in him including from specific teams (Philly) wasn't there. They badly mis-judged how he was perceived around the league and who would be interested. As other teams started to use their cap, panic started to set in. The first panic move was to go back to the Flames to try and get a deal done. But Edwards wouldn't entertain this at all. I suspect BT also felt badly burned and also had no interest. At that stage, the panic worsened for the Johnny side, and they started to worry about getting a much smaller deal than they thought, and efforts were made to "get the bag" where they could. They identified a team that had the strong motivation, cap room, and a player (Gudbransson) that could create a back-channel communication to let the Jackets know that Johnny was interested. And they grabbed that deal because that's the one that was out there for them.

That's how I think it all played out.

Wasn't there a credible rumor that the Flames circled back to Johnny offering him a 10.5 x 7 after free agency began and Johnny turned it down?

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by GullFoss

Wasn't there a credible rumor that the Flames circled back to Johnny offering him a 10.5 x 7 after free agency began and Johnny turned it down?

There’s been all sorts of rumours but I think that overture was the other way

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

That's really weird about Gaudreau. For anyone who has been paying attention, what's the problem? Is he not working hard and making mistakes? Is he just not gelling?

I never held it against him leaving. He gave the Flames his best years and didn't owe us anything. It didn't seem like a great career move though by likely losing some career earnings and leaving a city where he was a rock star and would have been in the rafters one day.

I doubt he would come back, but I would take him back.

Probably the product of apathy and a bad team. The few games I’ve seen of Columbus, they’re awful in all areas of the ice, but especially in the defensive end. They get routinely hemmed in their own zone, so they spend entire shifts defending which is a big waste of minutes that would otherwise be spent generating in the offensive zone. I mean, I haven’t looked into it, but I can only imagine that his offensive zone time has been cut severely since changing teams which would leas to a significant dip into his offensive production.

I think that’s why Gaudreau needs to be paired with a really strong 2 way centerman. Someone who can kill plays, stop the cycle and play a connected brand of hockey. He probably doesn’t even need a center who can drive play as he’s always been the guy who stirs the drink. He just needs someone to help hide his deficiencies in the defensive zone and who can help support his transition up ice and can also finish in the slot at a high level. That’s probably his ideal centerman, not Boone Jenner who’s probably a #3C on a deep team?

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

That doesn't check out with anything I have heard at all. Johnny Gaudreau had every intention of signing with Calgary, he even ok'ed his agent on the final day of free agency to sign a contract. Then his wife put her foot down and that was that, he never tried to circle back to the Flames, that was never an option. He didn't choose Columbus either, another choice made by his wife. I am not degrading him here I am just telling you what happened, he had a choice between is hockey dreams and his new wife and soon to be family and he chose the latter. I think this is a guy who internally is torn, he loves his wife and being a dad yet he threw away everything he dreamed of accomplishing his whole life, he basically threw away becoming a hockey legend in a great hockey market to appease his wife and her family and so he has totally embraced that and has put hockey on the backburner. He didn't train pretty much at all this past offseason, he was too busy playing family guy and so he looks like #### out there, always gassed midway through shifts, not putting in anything but a go through the motions effort on the ice. He doesn't care about winning or the game now because I imagine that would eat him up inside because he isn't where he wanted to be. I do know Guy Gaudreau thinks he made a big mistake and I get the impression he is not a big fan of his daughter in law or her family.

Yeah these events are pretty consistent from what I’ve heard as well which was insinuated by Derek Wills, Pat Steinberg and etc. Gaudreau even told his parents the prior offseason that he’d stay with the Flames if the offer was in the ballpark of what he was looking for.

I don’t think Columbus was ever on Johnny’s radar. He even admitted in his presser that he never didn’t know anything about Columbus, hated the cannon and never even explored the city, just stayed in around the hotel. Not to mention they were horrible and were rebuilding, so all in all, doesn’t really sound like a destination for a top free agent who had better teams/cities to pick from.

From day one, I was pretty convinced it was more so his wife’s decision. I even had a bad feeling about it back when I heard he was marrying a Philly girl instead of a Calgary girl. It’s hard to even blame her as I’d probably feel the same way being uprooted from my friends and family and having to live on the other side of the continent in the cold prairies all pregnant and alone. It was probably also very enticing that her best friend in Gudbranson’s wife was heading to Columbus too and the money was close, so naturally, Columbus was the best choice for her. Shoot, I think most people would sell that idea to their spouses too.

[jayswin]

nm

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

You are dragging his family into this.

Basically saying his wife ruined his life and his family hates her? Confirmed by TMZ Frank? The same guy who had Love as cosch and Lindholm signed?

People can believe what they like I don't care. I trust my information and it matches with what his camp said the shots Treliving took. His dad didn't look very devestated either. I've known a lot about Johnny through people here in Calgary and I can say with 100% confidence that his wife was probably the best thing to happen him and his career.

Yeah, his wife was happy with Calgary, Johnny wanted to be closer to his partying lifestyle in the New Jersey/Philly area, along with family. His wife didn't want to be right in the party zone with Johnny, so Columbus was the compromise after some other options weren't there.

New Jersey would have been Johnny's pick if it was just him deciding (well, after Philly didn't make an offer).

[Paulie Walnuts]

It's also hilarious to read the double standard with Johnny and. Huberdeau.

All his struggles are because his team sucks and they can't defend. Isn't he supposed to be a star to stir the drink?

The Flames suck and can't defend and it's all Huberdeaus fault. People saying they flat out hate him.

One guy actually cares a lot and got himself involved in the community bought a house in the city.

The other guy rented a place every year had poor off ice habits and his father was more involved in the community than him.

Heck he said one day he will bring his daughter to the city to show her Banff.

But yes let's let's dump a struggling star for a guy who screwed us over and doesn't even care.

The team doesn't miss Gaudreau they miss Tkachuk.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

How does your agent fumble that bag about your perception in other markets that badly?

His agent is also Conroys agent. I think he apologized or put out something to take the heat off the Flames.

He was likely embarrassed and you don't want to build poor relationships with management.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

It's also hilarious to read the double standard with Johnny and. Huberdeau.

All his struggles are because his team sucks and they can't defend. Isn't he supposed to be a star to stir the drink?

The Flames suck and can't defend and it's all Huberdeaus fault. People saying they flat out hate him.

One guy actually cares a lot and got himself involved in the community bought a house in the city.

The other guy rented a place every year had poor off ice habits and his father was more involved in the community than him.

Heck he said one day he will bring his daughter to the city to show her Banff.

But yes let's let's dump a struggling star for a guy who screwed us over and doesn't even care.

The team doesn't miss Gaudreau they miss Tkachuk.

The team misses both players. They both played a different style but meshed well together. I’m not sure why you think it’s a big deal that Johnny didn’t buy a house? Lots of players in the league don’t live in the city they play in. They call their off season destinations as home. Look no farther than zadarov who calls florida home.

[FormerPresJamesTaylor]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

Please type in paragraphs!!!!

Thanked for this

[TOfan]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

There’s been all sorts of rumours but I think that overture was the other way

This would be consistent with what we saw publicly. During Treliving’s press conference I don’t recall him saying ‘we will give it another shot tomorrow’, he made statements along the lines of he’s going to free agency and moving on. This was probably in the wake of the Edwards/Gaudreau conversation. It did not sound like the Flames were still negotiating.

Honestly, this could be a book or a long form podcast. I’d love to read/hear a first hand account of what truly went down.

It’s been well over a year and I’m still fascinated. The implications of this decision deeply changed the Flames. I think they’ve taken a significant hit and until the next home-grown superstar comes along, it’s going to be hard to forget. I also think it’s hard to not connect where the Glames are today with drawing a straight line to Gaudreau’s decision, there’s a lot of scar tissue. He really hurt the franchise, and you could argue himself as well.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

It's also hilarious to read the double standard with Johnny and. Huberdeau.

All his struggles are because his team sucks and they can't defend. Isn't he supposed to be a star to stir the drink?

The Flames suck and can't defend and it's all Huberdeaus fault. People saying they flat out hate him.

One guy actually cares a lot and got himself involved in the community bought a house in the city.

The other guy rented a place every year had poor off ice habits and his father was more involved in the community than him.

Heck he said one day he will bring his daughter to the city to show her Banff.

But yes let's let's dump a struggling star for a guy who screwed us over and doesn't even care.

The team doesn't miss Gaudreau they miss Tkachuk.

I don’t know . Gaudreau had at least a couple superstar type years here and I was entertained watching him

Until Huberdeau does that, he will never be appreciated the same way…and yeah we only paid him 10.5M

[Spurs]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

It's also hilarious to read the double standard with Johnny and. Huberdeau.

All his struggles are because his team sucks and they can't defend. Isn't he supposed to be a star to stir the drink?

The Flames suck and can't defend and it's all Huberdeaus fault. People saying they flat out hate him.

One guy actually cares a lot and got himself involved in the community bought a house in the city.

The other guy rented a place every year had poor off ice habits and his father was more involved in the community than him.

Heck he said one day he will bring his daughter to the city to show her Banff.

But yes let's let's dump a struggling star for a guy who screwed us over and doesn't even care.

The team doesn't miss Gaudreau they miss Tkachuk.

Gaudreau outscored him by 20 points with a lot less talent around him. If Hubredeau had put up 75 points last season, while people would still be disappointed, there would be a lot less anger towards him. If he had led the Flames in scoring by 20 points there would also be a lot more sympathy for the argument that there isn't the talent around him like you see Gaudreau getting.

[Erick Estrada]

Johnny's gone. He made a life decision that I respect and don't hold any grudges. The only thing that is really noteworthy of his or Huberdeau's struggles is that it appears that it's bad business to sign 29/30 year old forwards to 7/8 year deals. The reality is that very few of these guys are able to age like Joe Pavelski and for some players it can end really fast in their early 30's.