[Signing] Gaudreau to Columbus (7 x $9.75 million)

[browna]

Not to defend JG here, but yes, I think he knew he wanted to be here for the extra dough, and to play on a good team for a good coach with fans that loved him, but he had already committed to his pregnant wife about being closer to her home and couldn't back out. Single JG would be partying in town tonight. It had nothing to do with him needing to leave this city.

The Flyers didn't seem interested these past years and maybe what really came down to these past week is Torts didn't want JG. Maybe something else went sideways in the hours ahead of FA and plan C was enacted.

Gross probably told JG not to address Calgary today, but he did, which is why it was some painfully awkward words.

I stand by my prediction that JG will be a Flyer by trade deadline 2025. And Gross won't be his agent.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by Calgary Highlander

I’m amused that Gudbrandson and Luke Philp have “Thank you” posts from the Flames’ social media account and nothing for Gaudreau.

Lines up with what’s been posted and how badly Johnny burnt this bridge.

They do. I know Backlund shared it.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

I think Johnny realized he needed to not be in a Canadian hockey market, and Columbus was perfect for playing in a low profile place.

It’s consistent with all the known facts.

So why didn't he have his agent inform the team, instead of carrying on with a negotiation for a contract that he knew he would never sign?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Locke

I dont know. Maybe it was supposed to be 'The Impossible Ask.'

Maybe it was done so that they could say: "We didnt walk away from Calgary, they wouldnt meet our demands! Its not our fault!"

I think someone should make a note to see if Gross is still Johnny's agent in a few weeks' time.

Or...and I hate doing this, but it is possible that Johnny and Gross had a plan, had an ask, it was met and then his Wife/GF vetoed it.

It is possible that they made an ask, got an acceptance and then a variable was introduced that could not be accommodated.

Its possible. You take the Calgary contract and your wife is pissed? Ugh...granted, again, I'd go back and say: "You should have talked about this together and sorted it out ages ago."

Whether it was the wife, the family, or whatever, this is the likely scenario IMO. He and Gross gave the ultimatum. The Flames accepted. Some time went by, Gaudreau walked away from the deal.

The most likely scenario as to why it changed in that time, seems pretty clear.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

If this is true Lewis Gross should be drummed out of the business. JG is a naive guy who maybe doesn’t know business norms. But Gross is obligated to advise him ethically. I wonder if agents have a governing association like doctors, accountants and lawyers do.

Honestly it felt like Gross didn’t love how it went down and was covering his own butt based on how fast Gross put out the message about the Flames “doing all they could to keep Gaudreau but it was a family decision”

Have never seen an agent do that before.

All Gross can do is advise, and my guess is he might have been advising Gaudreau to take the offer but in the end ge also can’t force him to sign it.

It makes a lot more sense now that Gaudreau gave Gross a number, Gross was able to get that number, and then Gaudreau (and his wife) decided that in the end they still didn’t want Calgary and reneged.

In that situation the only person you can blame is Johnny.

[iloveicedhockey]

Originally Posted by Calgary Highlander

I’m amused that Gudbrandson and Luke Philp have “Thank you” posts from the Flames’ social media account and nothing for Gaudreau.

Lines up with what’s been posted and how badly Johnny burnt this bridge.

He does have one from the flames. As far as I know, nothing from John but his members of his family have said a few things. I very much liked having the whole gang as part of the flames. They all seem like lovely people.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

If this is true Lewis Gross should be drummed out of the business. JG is a naive guy who maybe doesn’t know business norms. But Gross is obligated to advise him ethically. I wonder if agents have a governing association like doctors, accountants and lawyers do.

Gross obviously knows that is inappropriate (assuming this is how it played out). But if his client says no, what can he really do about it? If I'm Gross, and Gaudreau does this to me, I apologize to the other side. But there isn't a whole lot else he can really do.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Honestly it felt like Gross didn’t love how it went down and was covering his own butt based on how fast Gross put out the message about the Flames “doing all they could to keep Gaudreau but it was a family decision”

Have never seen an agent do that before.

All Gross can do is advise, and my guess is he might have been advising Gaudreau to take the offer but in the end ge also can’t force him to sign it.

It makes a lot more sense now that Gaudreau gave Gross a number, Gross was able to get that number, and then Gaudreau (and his wife) decided that in the end they still didn’t want Calgary and reneged.

In that situation the only person you can blame is Johnny.

He can’t force him to sign, just like I can’t force a witness to tell the truth. But I’m obligated to not cooperate if I know that’s going to happen, and if it ever happened in front of me I’d have to step aside right there (thankfully never).

So if Gross withdraws from representing him on that basis I retract my opinion. But I doubt it went down that way.

[midniteowl]

It's really easy to blame the wife. He's been negotiating with the Flames for how long now? His wife just all of a sudden last minuet to veto the deal? She must've told her husband she doesn't want to stay in Calgary?

[JohnnyB]

If that account is indeed accurate, it is really brutal. I mean, if you were actually planning to burn that bridge that's about as good a job as you could do if it.

At least the other players on the team will ultimately all know that the team management was willing to do what it takes to keep the team together and try to win. I don't think it's that bad a look for Treliving wrt the rest of the players if that's the way it went down.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by iloveicedhockey

He does have one from the flames. As far as I know, nothing from John but his members of his family have said a few things. I very much liked having the whole gang as part of the flames. They all seem like lovely people.

I saw his big sister, baby sister and his uncle tweeted and thanks the Flames.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

He can’t force him to sign, just like I can’t force a witness to tell the truth. But I’m obligated to not cooperate if I know that’s going to happen, and if it ever happened in front of me I’d have to step aside right there (thankfully never).

I don’t think Gross knew that was going to happen though.

Hell I don’t think even Johnny knew that was going to happen.

The reason there was probably such a long radio silence from Johnny’s camp and the Flames is that there was probably a “Family” discussion going on between Gaudreau and his wife about signing that offer from the Flames.

Johnny didn’t look very comfortable today with being a Columbus Blue Jacket that’s for sure.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

It's really easy to blame the wife. He's been negotiating with the Flames for how long now? His wife just all of a sudden last minuet to veto the deal? She must've told her husband she doesn't want to stay in Calgary?

I don’t think anyone is blaming her so much as saying maybe Johnny acted at best without consulting and at worst against her wishes. Either way she put her foot down in the hypothetical.

[memphusk]

Originally Posted by Shazam

CBJ is going to be awful for his career.

Disagree. He doesn't need anyone to shine, but he will draw them.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

I don’t think Gross knew that was going to happen though.

Hell I don’t think even Johnny knew that was going to happen.

The reason there was probably such a long radio silence from Johnny’s camp and the Flames is that there was probably a “Family” discussion going on between Gaudreau and his wife about signing that offer from the Flames.

Johnny didn’t look very comfortable today with being a Columbus Blue Jacket that’s for sure.

Again, if my client does something unethical I am required to quit. I can’t reveal it, but it gets kind of obvious. And maybe Gross didn’t know when the demand was made, but when JG said “I’m going to retract that” I would have said “you’re on your own”.

[Southside]

If this is accurate, perhaps Johnny was sort of blacklisted? I know the owners are a bit of an old boys club. Is this possibly why Philly and New Jersry backed away, they knew Johnny was a weasel and didn't want to entertain him? And yeah, sounds like Johnny's wife has her hand deep up his ass.

[Strange Brew]

An “impossible ask” is playing games. You tell the Flames and everyone else you will be testing free agency and to line up their best offers.

[greentree]

Curious, since this signing has Gaudreau expressed any gratitude to the Flames organization and fans for their many years of support? For believing in him, drafting him etc etc?

[Locke]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

It's really easy to blame the wife. He's been negotiating with the Flames for how long now? His wife just all of a sudden last minuet to veto the deal? She must've told her husband she doesn't want to stay in Calgary?

I know. Thats why I hate doing it. Its conjecture and it isnt fair. I dont know anything about her or their relationship etc.

But he didnt get to 'go home.' He didnt get his preferred team. He didnt get his max term. He didnt get the most money. So whatever it was...it seems more than likely to have been personal. So what personal issue was it?

But right now look at the pieces that dont fit and see what could make that happen?

The Calgary Flames had the best offer. Hands down.

Now there are a multitude of reasons for not taking the best offer. But what are they? What are those variables and how likely are they to be the reason to turn down a contract and bail on a considerable amount of money and lifetime security.

Honestly? If it was his wife that put her foot down and said that this scenario would make her life miserable and he turned it down based on that....I'd certainly respect that.

You only have to work with these people...you have to live with her. That is a perfectly cromulent reason.

But then if you know these things, then act accordingly.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by greentree

Curious, since this signing has Gaudreau expressed any gratitude to the Flames organization and fans for their many years of support? For believing in him, drafting him etc etc?

Prob far too distracted checking out all the beautiful views in Columbus he was talking about earlier. Or looking over the BJ's roster so he knows who he's even playing with now