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

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

johnny doesn't want to win, there's a reason why coleman outplayed him in the playoffs. Coleman is a winner johnny doesn't have what it takes to elevate his game when everything is on the line. imo.

The sad thing is we've all seen Johnny at the top of his game torching defenders.

That he doesn't bring/summon that ability at the most important moments is disappointing.

I always figured it was because he got too in his head, but maybe he just doesn't have that fire in him.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Just to confirm — has there been any verified source corroborating the whole “ultimatum was given to the Flames, met by the Flames, and then Johnny/Gross reneged)? Because some posters are talking about it like it’s fact.

I was just about to ask the same question.

I remember sometime after that 3rd (or 4th or 5th) hand account was posted someone claimed that Friedman and somebody else had reporting that supported the rumour. I was just listening to Fried's podcast and he says absolutely nothing about an ultimatum or reneg (though maybe he said something different elsewhere?).

FWIW, here is what Friedman said (pretty sure I've got it verbatim within quotes):

He twice said: [the Flames were confident] "it was going to get done"

"There was a time on Tuesday that the Flames [and other teams] thought he was staying, and then at the last second it changed."

ie. the Flames thought they were very close (not the first time we've heard something like that), but never actually thought it was 'done'.


The reporting of a 7 yr offer on the 13th also totally undercuts this rumour IMO.

The worst that can be said at this point is that Johnny took all of the time afforded to him and made a decision people don't like.

I suspect the decision was never really Calgary vs. Closer to Home, but rather Guaranteed $$$$ [which inherently = CGY] vs. More Risk/Reward + Closer to Home. Which is why he needed to know the actual $$ amount to make an informed decision.

[81MC]

Or, Johnny really loves his woman, and values her and her profession, and wants to have a family and made a tough decision using the time he has the right to.

He made the choice best for his life. Best of luck.

[Samonadreau]

This has Taraves vibes all over it. Worst cases he helps price Laine out of the market, they miss the playoffs anyways and then he has nobody to play with. Except an over the hill Voracek.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by powderjunkie

I was just about to ask the same question.

I remember sometime after that 3rd (or 4th or 5th) hand account was posted someone claimed that Friedman and somebody else had reporting that supported the rumour. I was just listening to Fried's podcast and he says absolutely nothing about an ultimatum or reneg (though maybe he said something different elsewhere?).

FWIW, here is what Friedman said (pretty sure I've got it verbatim within quotes):

He twice said: [the Flames were confident] "it was going to get done"

"There was a time on Tuesday that the Flames [and other teams] thought he was staying, and then at the last second it changed."

ie. the Flames thought they were very close (not the first time we've heard something like that), but never actually thought it was 'done'.


The reporting of a 7 yr offer on the 13th also totally undercuts this rumour IMO.

The worst that can be said at this point is that Johnny took all of the time afforded to him and made a decision people don't like.

I suspect the decision was never really Calgary vs. Closer to Home, but rather Guaranteed $$$$ [which inherently = CGY] vs. More Risk/Reward + Closer to Home. Which is why he needed to know the actual $$ amount to make an informed decision.

IMO the statement by Gross supports the rumour (he said Calgary did everything they could).

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

This has Taraves vibes all over it. Worst cases he helps price Laine out of the market, they miss the playoffs anyways and tgen he hS nobody to play with. Except an over tge hill Voracek.

It looks like they are going to need to clear $3-5 million, depending what Laine signs for. They are going to need to either dump someone or trade down to get a lower salary.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

It looks like they are going to need to clear $3-5 million, depending what Laine signs for. They are going to need to either dump someone or trade down to get a lower salary.

Overpaying Gudbranson is a real mystery when they still have Laine to go.

[Sandman]

Francis was right, he was never going to sign here. The problem is not that he wanted to go home to the States, the problem is that he strung management and us fans along until the 11th hour. He should have informed management a long time ago, so they could make other arrangements, instead of screwing the franchise. Perhaps he was plotting revenge ever since he was strong-armed by Tre into signing his last contract. Now he wants to "do something for Calgary to show his appreciation"? That just means he'll get the tech people from CBJ to put together a crappy video montage. Don't waste their time.

I hope Johnny dips below a ppg for the rest of his career and gets booed by the fans for not being worth his contract. In case you didn't notice, I'm still pissed.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Sandman

Francis was right, he was never going to sign here. The problem is not that he wanted to go home to the States, the problem is that he strung management and us fans along until the 11th hour.

By all accounts, he also strung his agent along. Why would he bother doing that? What advantage did he stand to gain?

[combustiblefuel]

Still hasn't even posted a thanks calgary message or video.
I stand by my " #### him" statement pages earlier
Gudbranson released on right away and he was here a season.

Never seen a player not thank the fans after a decade plus in their system.

[jonesy]

Originally Posted by FormerPresJamesTaylor

Must be the wife
-Loser Hockey Fans

Must be treliving, no pulse on situation - ok to say
Must be Gross, he is incompetent - ok to say
Must be Johnny, he is dishonest - ok to say
Must be the city and fans, they scared him off - ok to say
Must be other flames players, they bullied him - ok to say
Must be his wife - she coerced him - you are a loser

I don't get it.

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

johnny doesn't want to win, there's a reason why coleman outplayed him in the playoffs. Coleman is a winner johnny doesn't have what it takes to elevate his game when everything is on the line. imo.

I really don’t think this is true. We are talking about a guy who did nothing but win in his college career

[Hockey_Ninja]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

Still hasn't even posted a thanks calgary message or video.
I stand by my " #### him" statement pages earlier
Gudbranson released on right away and he was here a season.

Never seen a player not thank the fans after a decade plus in their system.

Where? I haven’t seen it

[The Cobra]

Let’s say that a week before UFA, Johnny informs the flames he is not coming back.

Realistically, what steps could the Flames have taken that would have made any material difference than where they are today?

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Let’s say that a week before UFA, Johnny informs the flames he is not coming back.

Realistically, what steps could the Flames have taken that would have made any material difference than where they are today?

They probably would have been able to deal his rights for a pick. My bet is Jersey or the Isles would have stepped up in that regard.

There also wouldn't have been the same level of shock and/or bad blood I'm guessing.

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Let’s say that a week before UFA, Johnny informs the flames he is not coming back.

Realistically, what steps could the Flames have taken that would have made any material difference than where they are today?

Flames might have been more open/motivated to take the package that was reportedly offered for Tkachuk. The shock of thinking it’s done in the 11th hour and being told it’s not has totally paralyzed this team for the off-season so far which I don’t think would have been the case had the Flames known Johnnys decision around the draft. Hell, they might have been able to work with Philly to see if something made sense for both teams to get Johnny his dream of playing for the Flyers. Disappointing turn of events all around.

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

Let’s say that a week before UFA, Johnny informs the flames he is not coming back.

Realistically, what steps could the Flames have taken that would have made any material difference than where they are today?

None. This needed be dealt with before the NTC kicked in. All the warning signs were there and even some of the media who followed the team closely were certain he was not really interested in being in Calgary long-term. You have to make the moves to keep the organization healthy and sustaining itself. Did they learn nothing from the Iginla debacle? No. It's why we are here today with the current situation.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

None. This needed be dealt with before the NTC kicked in. All the warning signs were there and even some of the media who followed the team closely were certain he was not really interested in being in Calgary long-term. You have to make the moves to keep the organization healthy and sustaining itself. Did they learn nothing from the Iginla debacle? No. It's why we are here today with the current situation.

Ohhh the media KNEW. But the management of the organization, who directly discuss contracts, had no idea. Okay.

Just like Fox, he probably told the flames he had no interest in staying. So just like fox they negotiated in good faith right down to the wire

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

None. This needed be dealt with before the NTC kicked in. All the warning signs were there and even some of the media who followed the team closely were certain he was not really interested in being in Calgary long-term. You have to make the moves to keep the organization healthy and sustaining itself. Did they learn nothing from the Iginla debacle? No. It's why we are here today with the current situation.

I agree with this. I’d be curious to see that list of five teams he was accepting also. Firstly, I doubt Columbus was in there. Secondly, if that’s a collection of teams that there’s no way to make a trade with because you’re intent on free agency, you know exactly what you’re dealing with.

It’s all hindsight now though. He’s made his choice and the Flames just have to move on to other issues.

[Scroopy Noopers]

“Build a team around draft picks” they say. Until it comes time to sign one of them, then you better bail a year early.