Throughout this process, Tkachuck has come across as the polar opposite of Gaudreau. From how he went about securing his next contract to choosing a location to saying goodbye in a timely way, he's just smart and savvy.
Totally. I don't care if Gaudreau meant no ill will, the way he went about it was brutal - intentionally or not - and it cast some serious shade on Calgary and made it look like a very undesirable market. Flames were basically the laughingstock of the league for a week from how badly that was bungled. I'm still blown away how that turned out, he's dead to me.
Matthew has been the complete opposite. Still don't love that he wanted out, but at least he went about it the right way and was up front about everything. No chance I world boo him at the Dome, I'd still happily cheer him on in pregame intros. Johnny, on the other hand, I will boo until my throat is sore.
I don’t doubt Tkachuk when he says he wants to win and be a big part of it but I don’t think it’s the same way as MacKinnon or Crosby who took their teams on their backs literally, especially MacKinnon.
I think Tkachuk passed on a great opportunity here and we’ll see if Huberdeau signs or passes as well cause the Flames still have a good team here.
Also MacKinnon still under 7m in his final year before free agency and Crosby under 9m in his contract. Those are the types of players you pay the big money to. That’s why so few teams wanted Gaudreau, they just don’t want to give those big deals to guys they doubt can win it for them.
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Unless sitting in your own pool of sweat is your type of thing.
I'm quite used to living in a city where the lowest humidity throughout the year is 70%. It's not that bad.
Besides people are talking about how Miami is nice in the winter but not so much the summer It's obviously just a matter of personal preference, but I see that Miami winter as very desirable in comparison.
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Throughout this process, Tkachuck has come across as the polar opposite of Gaudreau. From how he went about securing his next contract to choosing a location to saying goodbye in a timely way, he's just smart and savvy.
If you look at hockey purely from an emotional fan level, I can see how some would be upset with Tkachuk. But looking at it at the business level he's been nothing but class. I imagine he's going to have a very successful career post-retirement whatever he chooses to do
So this is maybe relevant and maybe not because I'm in a very different field of work.
After finishing my degree/training in Calgary I moved to the US for 2 years for more training. Two different states for a year each. Both locations offered me jobs before I left. But I was always intent on coming back to Canada. Did not care about whether they offered me more money or a better opportunity to advance my career. I did not like the politics of the US or I just preferred the comfort of being "home". The evil you know I guess.
Also I'm from Winnipeg and never wanted to return there either. Ended up in Calgary and so far so good 10 years later.
I guess whether Gaudreau or Tkachuks situations, I understand it. We all have biases, whether founded or not. Although, I don't think there were any message boards lamenting my "scorning" of those locations and moving back to Canada.
Last edited by TheSkinner; 07-24-2022 at 07:40 PM.
I think you're reading too much into one quote from Francis' interview and not considering the full context of that statement. To me, it didn't come across as the Panthers offered a better chance to win vs. the Flames, but that the Panthers were the best choice of the teams he was willing to consider signing with.
Based on what he also said about his 3-year bridge being structured in a way that would allow him to re-evaluate his life and career, I think we can infer that leaving Calgary was always the plan. He just doesn't want to admit that publicly.
This is years in the making. But he’s honourable because he told us. Stand up guy.
I am sad Tkachuk wouldn’t re-sign here. He was the first player jersey I got after Iginla and I hoped he would be an all-time Flame. It seemed pretty obvious he was always looking to get out when he signed his last deal and would only go 5 years on a long term deal. Leaving wasn’t a hard choice for Tkachuk it is what he always wanted to do.
I like the return but also wonder if Treliving could have made a better deal at the draft of the Devils pick was on the table. At the end of the day I am happy Tkachuk worked with the team and the Flames got some great assets in return. Also I am happy Tkachuk went to Florida and not a conference rival or another Canadian team.
He has handled his departure in a more professional and businesslike manner than Johnny did. That's for sure. Part of that is also likely because it was an easier decision for him as a result of never intending to stay. Leaving in a professional and businesslike manner at a time when his value was maxed is all good, but that's it. It's not something I find particularly endearing though. It's just being businesslike.
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"If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?"
I think we are giving Tkachuk far too much credit...of course he told them he wanted to go he is coming off a career season.
He did the best thing for himself. He basically got to pick his destination while cashing in on his career year.
Lets say he stuck with the Flames this season without Gaudreau...what would his point total have been? Media was calling him a top 5 talent lol
He did what was best for himself...it just happened to work out for the Flames too thanks to some good GM work (and some poor GM work)
Gaudreau was coming off an average/poor season with one year left on his deal, he knew he could up his stock
Tkachuk in his heart of hearts knew better
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Putting the Flames in a bad position of a 1 year contract? Say he plays his best because it is a contract year and gets just 70 points without Gaudreau instead of 100. Who loses there? The Flames, perhaps. But more importantly, Tkachuk? Yes.
And the highest bidder made themselves worse by signing him. He is not better than Huberdeau + Weegar. That team doesn’t have a first round pick for the first half of his contract.
His priority is money, not winning. Good for him. Great hat flipper, great interview. Good riddance
Quote:
Originally Posted by dino7c
I think we are giving Tkachuk far too much credit...of course he told them he wanted to go he is coming off a career season.
He did the best thing for himself. He basically got to pick his destination while cashing in on his career year.
Lets say he stuck with the Flames this season without Gaudreau...what would his point total have been? Media was calling him a top 5 talent lol
He did what was best for himself...it just happened to work out for the Flames too thanks to some good GM work (and some poor GM work)
Gaudreau was coming off an average/poor season with one year left on his deal, he knew he could up his stock
Tkachuk in his heart of hearts knew better
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I think we are giving Tkachuk far too much credit...of course he told them he wanted to go he is coming off a career season.
He did the best thing for himself. He basically got to pick his destination while cashing in on his career year.
Lets say he stuck with the Flames this season without Gaudreau...what would his point total have been? Media was calling him a top 5 talent lol
He did what was best for himself...it just happened to work out for the Flames too thanks to some good GM work (and some poor GM work)
Gaudreau was coming off an average/poor season with one year left on his deal, he knew he could up his stock
Tkachuk in his heart of hearts knew better
I think Gaudreau was more loved by the fans as well. He was 'our guy' that we followed from the start as the tiny guy drafted in the mid-rounds who became a star and the hope of better things to come after Iginla left. So when he leaves - it hurts more than Tkachuk who while good was never the beloved star.
There just wasn't the same emotional attachment to Tkachuk as their was to Gaudreau so people are more hurt by Gaudreau leaving than Tkachuk.
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