Thoughts: A second stint for Gaudreau in Calgary?

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

It looks as though there's trouble in Ohio paradise as Johnny Gaudreau is on par with Huberdeau this season in production and was benched in the Blue Jackets' most recent game.

The idea was floated around by the guys at BB and the twitterverse that the new regime Flames could make amends with Gaudreau's camp and see him come back for another round with the Flames a la Jokinen, Cammalleri..

Not sure what a deal would look like, (some even suggesting a John for John swap with salary retention to even out the cap hits) and we don't know what Kek's mindset is, but what would the appetite be around here for this?

Do you believe in second chances after a sour departure? Is Gaudreau even worth it still after 30?

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Hahaha....OMG, #### no.

He left in the worst possible way, leaving the team high and dry. That's his right, but there's no way I would give him a second opportunity to #### this team over.


People will often tell you about their character with their actions. I don't want him anywhere near the team going forward. I'll stick with Huberdeau thank you.

[cral12]

a. it's not happening
b. I'd be all for it
c. with Gaudreau's skating ability, his contract will age better that Huby

[Yeah_Baby]

[Hack&Lube]

Already discussed ad nauseum and to death in the last two days in the Trade thread.

The only thing I want to do is to flip Lindholm to Columbus marketed as a way to bring Johnny back to his highs playing with Lindy but I think we all know Tkachuk was driving the line now.

[The Fonz]

JG @ $10.1M for 5 more yrs, or
JH @ $10.1M for 7 more yrs

I'll take the shorter contract.

[Badgers Nose]

Absolutely not. I don’t think there could be anything more pathetic for either party.

Gaudreau needs to grow up, be a pro and be the guy Columbus paid for.

Flames have committed to Huby and need to do whatever it takes to make that work. If he evolves into a complete player Flames fans will love him even without 80pts every season.

[Igottago]

Its kind of a neat thought, which is why the idea has been out there, but ultimately the Flames need to usher in a new era of stars. I don't see how getting him back actually helps the organization become a winner.

[Bonded]

Gaudreau is a better contract to rebuild around, so I'd take it lol

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Its kind of a neat thought, which is why the idea has been out there, but ultimately the Flames need to usher in a new era of stars. I don't see how getting him back actually helps the organization become a winner.

The only benefit is it's 2 less years of a big contract. OTOH Huberdeau might turn out to be a better guy with the kids. He already has a good relationship with Pelletier.

[jg13]

Does Gaudreau have a NMC? If so there is 0% its happening. He looks extremely comfortable playing out his retirement contract in arguably the smallest market in the league.

[Hack&Lube]

Its highly probable given all the inside info that's been discussed recently that Gaudreau burnt that bridge with Murray Edwards. He's never going to be let back in so this discussion is moot.

[AustinL_NHL]

I am fully of the belief that his wife had most/everything to do with it and that Johnny himself never wanted to leave Calgary so if the opportunity presented itself, I think that would say a whole lot about how much Johnny really loved Calgary and regrets his decision.

Hell, you can swap his and Huberdeau's contracts too if that's what gets it done. We went from Johnny Hockey to Johnny Do Nothing.

I think his performance this season is much more justified and expected than Huberdeau's (this is what I said about his current season elsewhere):

Left Calgary (he really didn't want to) because he chose the family life over the hockey life and started focusing even moreso on family this past summer (for good reasons). Was extra disappointed when the Flyers didn't even attempt to clear room so chose his wife's preferred destination (for career reasons). Plus he doesn't have a hard coach, which both him and his father have agreed in the past is the only way to get the best outta Johnny (hence why he's one of the few NHL stars to have ever played under Sutter that enjoyed it).

I think in a year or 2, if Columbus is in a better position competitive-wise, Johnny's focus will be able to re-shift towards hockey (i.e. training + better mental approach). But right now, there's too many distractions/reasons on-ice and too many important things happening off-ice that it wouldn't make sense for him to shift his attention back to hockey when he's just entered a new main focus in life (family) with his career taking a backseat.

[Muta]

I would totally do it, I hold no ill will towards him (same with Tkachuk). He gave us fans years of entertainment, and is still at a productive age. Team hasn't been the same without him, and IMO, any perceived villainy from that summer 2022 situation is completely overexaggerated.

[EM11]

Pure fantasy to think that he could step back into the Flames lineup and be that guy again. He'll probably never be the guy for any team, but it would especially never work here and he could never meet the insane expectations that would accompany such a desperate move.

[1qqaaz]

Johnny Gaudreau: 7 more years at 9.75 mill
79 points in 91 games as a Blue Jacket

Jonathan Huberdeau: 8 more years at 10.5 mill
61 points in 90 games as a Flame

I don't think these are relatively close. Taking Johnny back for a 1 for 1 would be a no brainer. Don't allow spite to affect decision-making for such major trades.

[TrentCrimmIndependent]

Personally, I think the "pathetic-ness" of reuniting with Gaudreau would be easier to stomach than the 7.5+ remaining years being married to Huberdeau.

I think he's probably better and more engaged in Calgary where he and his family are local celebrities than in Ohio.

That said I don't think it happens because I also think the Jackets would feel better about riding it out with Johnny than taking a swing at Huberdeau also, so its probably a moot point.

It's probably more likely that the BJs make an offer for Lindholm to get Johnny going.

[getbak]

This is starting to feel like the Cammalleri situation.

Undersized, fan-favourite who scores a lot of goals and wears #13 signs as a free agent elsewhere and becomes an instant favourite there. Then, the relationship with the coach sours. People start joking about the Flames reacquiring him and dumping a disliked contract back the other way...

Watch out for Gaudreau being pulled off the bench in the middle of the game tonight.

[DazzlinDino]

Sounds crazy but I would do it if things were not working here for Hubby. Would both parties agree??Maybe. I bet if Johnny came back Lindy would stay. Add some youth and speed and we might be in better shape. I also think trading Lindy to Columbus might be an option if the return is right.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The only benefit is it's 2 less years of a big contract. OTOH Huberdeau might turn out to be a better guy with the kids. He already has a good relationship with Pelletier.

That's a huge benefit and certainly a net win for the Flames. I think Huberdeau is completely useless as a Flame and that's unlikely to change, so if they can rid themselves of that contract they should do it.

I just wouldn't want the Flames to think "Johnny G is back, lets build a winner around him"...this team needs to rebuild and look to the future in either case.