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

[topfiverecords]

Raised in Jersey, college in Boston, played many times with a USA jersey on. Marries a girl from the US. His family is all American. Most of his friends are in the US. His identity is heavily tied to the USA. We’ve all known forever he would have a desire to go to a US team at some point.

In the end it was a choice between Columbus, NYI and NJ after Philly told them they were out. His wife’s preferred location seemed to be a heavy influence in the decision. Rosters and on ice future slights against NYI. Newark slights against NJ. 1/3 of the year they’ll be back in Philly a lot. 1/3 Johnny will be on the road for away games and when home location doesn’t seem super critical to him. Meredith and their child will be the ones spending the most time in Columbus so it’s a perfectly reasonable choice.

[Flamescuprun2018]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Within like an hour of the news breaking that Gaudreau was going to free agency he sent out this tweet through Friedman.

"The Flames did everything they could. This came down to a family decision."

Which was weird at the time because I’ve never seen an agent do that, and it actually potentially hurt his own clients negotiating power.

Thanks for this. Had forgotten that. Gross essentially admitting that the outcome was not my recommendation to Johnny as Johnny's agent but his decision. So sorry Flames don't pin it on me. Not how I like to do business.

[NOISIA]

Originally Posted by sss1

1.) Players do not want to play here, even if they are payed over market value.

This is such BS.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by sss1

Well everyone's sitting here cheering on Murray Edwards for this supposed victory in the negotiation ring but the only thing this highlights for me is:

1.) Players do not want to play here, even if they are payed over market value.

2.) We have ownership team who gets involved in the salary negotiations of even the most valuable team members. edit: and when I mean "get involved", I mean that they drive the outcome. How does this look for prospective free agents?

Ouch. Calgary takes the L here.

This is a tough pill to swallow for me.

[manwiches]

Originally Posted by NOISIA

This is such BS.

I patiently await the return of Makar, Morrisey, and Point.

I might be dreaming....

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[Izzle]

Originally Posted by NOISIA

This is such BS.

Totes BS.

It's 'paid' not 'payed'

[NOISIA]

Originally Posted by manwiches

I patiently await the return of Makar, Morrisey, and Point.

I might be dreaming....

Sent from my SM-N975W using Tapatalk

Hopefully haha.

The Flames have recently attracted Markstrom, Tanev, Coleman, Zadarov (came back). Even guys like Neal and Brouwer were highly thought of.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by topfiverecords

Raised in Jersey, college in Boston, played many times with a USA jersey on. Marries a girl from the US. His family is all American. Most of his friends are in the US. His identity is heavily tied to the USA. We’ve all known forever he would have a desire to go to a US team at some point.

In the end it was a choice between Columbus, NYI and NJ after Philly told them they were out. His wife’s preferred location seemed to be a heavy influence in the decision. Rosters and on ice future slights against NYI. Newark slights against NJ. 1/3 of the year they’ll be back in Philly a lot. 1/3 Johnny will be on the road for away games and when home location doesn’t seem super critical to him. Meredith and their child will be the ones spending the most time in Columbus so it’s a perfectly reasonable choice.

And that’s absolutely fine, I think everyone here can understand that. It was just the way it was handled.

[Kickazzflames]

If that story is how it went down.. It might make more sense how his top destinations somewhat fell apart. I'd imagine Murray made a few angry phone calls after. Just speculation of course.

[Hackey]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

You must be young and single.

A good woman would support you in your decision. If you're just doing what your wife wants, I feel sorry for you.

[manwiches]

Originally Posted by Kickazzflames

If that story is how it went down.. It might make more sense how his top destinations somewhat fell apart. I'd imagine Murray made a few angry phone calls after. Just speculation of course.

Just as the players talk, I would imagine owners talk too

if that is how it went down, you can bet Johnny is telling everybody how Edwards was mean to him.

Likewise, Edwards is probably telling other owners what a petulant child Johnny was.

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[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Locke

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.

Until noon yesterday the Flames had the only offer.

He took a risk and it didn't work out as well as he hoped. I'm not sure he views this outcome as substantially worse than the offer he refused.

[TheIronMaiden]

The Flames were never going to get assets for his rights even if he told them he was leaving right after the playoffs.

[Otto-matic]

Boy Gaudreau really screwed the pooch. If that insider info is legit which it sounds like - he deserves all the hate and scorn of the Flames/Devils fans. Playing his hands too early and burning the team that rolled out the red carpet for him and his family any time they came to Calgary or went to the All-Star Games.

I can see him only hitting 60-70 points this year. Its a tidal wave of new things for him - team, city and with a newborn on the way. His sleep patterns are going to be shot.

The media is going to chew him up if he doesn't produce.

[NOISIA]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

The Flames were never going to get assets for his rights even if he told them he was leaving right after the playoffs.

Why not? Philly gives a 3rd and they make sure they have the cap room.

[ComixZone]

‪I think it’s pretty fun that Johnny ended up exiting as a villain. It makes pro sports fun. In “life” nothing wrong was done, and best of luck to John and his family…but in the context of professional sports? This is fun. John burned us, he’s a villain. It’s the Flames Vs. The World.‬

I mean there are few slights in pro sports worse than Columbus Ohio being chosen ahead of your city, especially when you offered more money…yet John did that to us.

Best of luck to John Gaudreau the man and his family…but from a sports drama perspective? That dude is a villain now. He slighted my city, and that is an unforgivable act in this (silly) context.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Hackey

A good woman would support you in your decision. If you're just doing what your wife wants, I feel sorry for you.

A good man would support his wife and if you don't care about that, I feel sorry for your wife.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by TheIronMaiden

The Flames were never going to get assets for his rights even if he told them he was leaving right after the playoffs.

It doesn't matter if the Flames will get anything, it matter that he didn't tell them, and that is not negotiating in good faith.

[Otto-matic]

Also I wonder if that presser that Tre did abruptly was a calculated move to almost sink Johnny's allure to other teams.

[NOISIA]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

A good man would support his wife and if you don't care about that, I feel sorry for your wife.

It goes both ways. But you’re the yes-man.