To Calgary | By Johnny Gaudreau

[Stuntman Mike]

I'd like to wish Johnny all the health and mediocrity in the world, with long relaxing off seasons.

I'll never eat a ham and cheese sandwich again without thinking of him, thanks for the memories.

[djsFlames]

I would be alright with Johnny's decision if it didn't trigger all this other #### for the team to deal with that ultimately will put them into a rebuild.

His decision ####ed us.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by devo22

you know it's a well-written PR piece when some people at least pause to think. But at the end of the day, it's still nothing more than that, a well-written PR piece that still contradicts itself. And the whole "closer to home" thing is understandable on some level, but also hilarious when you think about all the players from Russia, Sweden, Finland etc. on the Flames roster and the league in general.

it is what it is. I wish him all the best in his personal life and to his family, but hockey-wise he can still go pound sand.

Some people are bought off by cheap words . This al rings hollow and just trying to save face.

[Fighting Banana Slug]

It's fine. I wasn't expecting anything more than this. I wish it was handled differently, and that is on Johnny, but obviously geography and his dad's health are the big reasons he left.

I hope for middling success for you in the midwest, Johnny.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Red_Baron

If only Brayden Point and Cale Makar felt the same way.

*sigh...

I think the equivalent would be moreso Lucic wanting to live in Alberta as a Surrey boy

[mogwai]

Is this thank you or damage control piece? I understand it is difficult for Johnny - but you can't be nice to everyone (including yourself). He got to sacrifice what would be his preferred choice (which I still think would to be to extend with the Flames) - with a motivation along the lines "have to be good son/husband/father" (can I even say got manipulated?). Let him spend rest of his career trying to convince himself it was right thing to do - but it certainly looks like this can be biggest regret when he looks back at his playing years.

[nfotiu]

I am always suspicious of anyone having a career year on a contract year. I wonder if he would have had as good a season this year if he signed a big deal last year. Or would he have had another middling season, and have everyone thinking we over-paid.

[FBI]

Next time our management says "we aren't discussing the negotiations during the season, don't ask any questions", I hope the media asks them questions every fricken day.

[Major Major]

How this probably went down based on his interviews the last week.

Johnny: Hey, I want to say goodbye and get over it to the people of Calgary. I've included some notes if you can please polish them up for a piece in the players Tribune.

Ghost writer: Dear god, I can't use any of this. I took the liberties of researching a bit about your life. Here, how does this look?

Johnny: ya, whatever. Is this over yet? Longest email exchange of my GD life.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

Some people are bought off by cheap words . This al rings hollow and just trying to save face.

Some people are always going to think this. But at the end of the day it’s just a hockey player who chose a different team when they had the chance, and whether you think his explanation is genuine or not (I think it is) you’ll get over it either way soon enough.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I would be alright with Johnny's decision if it didn't trigger all this other #### for the team to deal with that ultimately will put them into a rebuild.

His decision ####ed us.

A healthier way to look at things:

It was unlikely that the team as it was constructed was ever going to be as good as it was last year again. Even with how good they were, they were still some distance back of the pack leaders.

Change is good. Good will come of this all at the end of the day, assuming the Flames don’t just stick their heads in the dirt and ignore the fact that they’re actively turning the page into a new era.

[Zarley]

I think it's a genuine article. He gave Calgary 8 great seasons and doesn't owe us anything.

He clearly could've handled the departure better but I think everyone knows he's an easy-going, simple guy who was probably being pulled in many directions. I don't doubt that he's a good person.

[CSharp]

You had me at being closer to family, Johnny. I really do believe that's your true intent and so do many of the die-hard Flames fans here in Calgary. But, why didn't you allow the Flames to get assets back with the few select teams that you were willing to sign with? Instead, you waited until the last moments, which pretty much screwed the Flames organization over. I think if you're really up front about your true intentions in the first place, the Flames organization and the fans would've accepted your decision no matter what. If you wanted to be traded, even with the offer at hand, the Flames would've provided you with the best options that you would've wanted and you could've landed even closer to home either as a Flyers or as a Devils.

[Super-Rye]

After how everything went down the last couple weeks i just cant give him the benefit of the doubt anymore.

Everything he's said since leaving has come across PR driven. Saying the things he thinks people want to hear him say.

The kid was about to be hockey royalty in this city and has completely flipped the script on that with how hes handled this. He has basically put on a clinic on how not to leave a city. And in turn he's damaged a team that was finally going to contend for a cup. Something this city has been patiently waiting for for a really long time.

I will straight boo this kid when he gets back. He has earned it.

Johnny Hockey is dead. Long live Johnny Twoface.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Locke

Lord knows I do...

I have a Tkachuk, Monahan and a Bourqe jersey...all will be irrelevant soon.

[TBone290]

Originally Posted by PepsiFree

Some people are always going to think this. But at the end of the day it’s just a hockey player who chose a different team when they had the chance, and whether you think his explanation is genuine or not (I think it is) you’ll get over it either way soon enough.

I really don't know what else people need to see or hear to get that closure. He's done numerous interviews and now, this piece. Take it or leave it.

[Great Save Tanev]

People make decisions with emotions, then justify with logic. It’s a nicely written article but doesn’t connect all the dots. Think there might have been something else influencing the “last minute” decision.

[oldschoolcalgary]

After my dad had health issues a year or two ago, I think I've become a lot more conscious of my parents getting older and their own mortality... so I definitely understand his position on wanting to be closer to family

I do think Johnny was conflicted and take him for his word on that...deep down, though, I agree that he probably was always leaning to go for all of the underlying reasons that he mentions...

looking for a reason to stay rather than a reason to leave are two different mindsets.

Its a disappointing end to his Calgary Flames career, in the end he made the best choice for him and his family.... its a shame though that it came down to the wire like that, as it really does hamper the Flames moving forward.

I know for some people, no explanation would be enough for them...

though I couldn't ever cheer for Columbus, I hope he finds that life balance he's looking for...

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

I would be alright with Johnny's decision if it didn't trigger all this other #### for the team to deal with that ultimately will put them into a rebuild.

His decision ####ed us.

it's ok. this isn't the change we wanted, but it's the change we needed. this version of the Flames had basically 0% chance of winning a championship no matter how long it kept the stars together, given the level of competition.

this is a case where if you really care about bringing the cup back, you have to take the future mystery box. I'm just going to think of this whole thing as Johnny's parting gift of 4D chess to get the Flames where they need to be someday.

[Zoller]

Originally Posted by CSharp

You had me at being closer to family, Johnny. I really do believe that's your true intent and so do many of the die-hard Flames fans here in Calgary. But, why didn't you allow the Flames to get assets back with the few select teams that you were willing to sign with? Instead, you waited until the last moments, which pretty much screwed the Flames organization over. I think if you're really up front about your true intentions in the first place, the Flames organization and the fans would've accepted your decision no matter what. If you wanted to be traded, even with the offer at hand, the Flames would've provided you with the best options that you would've wanted and you could've landed even closer to home either as a Flyers or as a Devils.

Why would he want to make the team he is going to give up assets to get him? That would just make his future team worse