Tkachuk on his decision

[Bonded]

Yeah. I kind of thought New Jersey was out of it. They would have had the best youth/futures package.

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by chemgear

Wait, didn't Treliving say it was X number of teams -2 right off the bat in his comments today? Am I mistaken?

Originally Posted by sureLoss

The article says a list was given but was quickly narrowed down to 3. So sounds like Tkachuk gave a larger list but maybe only 3 were actually viable for the Flames and Tkachuk

I went back to the interview, around 5:30 to 6:30. "There was two teams right off the top that couldn't fit . . . it was really X -2 to start off with."

So the list was 5 I guess.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/960/flames-...rad-treliving/

[Eric Vail]

Originally Posted by MrMike

So that had to be Florida, Carolina and St Louis I’d imagine.

What a haul for only having 3 teams to negotiate with.

Tampa was probably one that there was no chance of it working with.

[SuperMatt18]

I do wonder if he thought that 2 of their top 5 players would be in the deal. I think Florida will be worse than they were last year.

It’s funny for all the talk of Tkachuk’s intangibles I think he’s actually a more effective player when he doesn’t get into that stuff. His play last year was his best season and he didt get into nearly as much of it.

In the playoffs his game was worse once he started getting into that stuff and fighting.

[MrMike]

The other two teams I’m guessing are Tampa and probably Rangers or Vegas.

[CF84]

Originally Posted by Philly06Cup

Might as well throw Adam Fox in the conversation too. Scouts knew he was unlikely to play for a small market and was looking to play in NY. What a respectful guy, letting the organization know his intentions from the beginning. Very respectful, giving the Flames so much notice. Apparently around here, giving ample notice is the ultimate sign of respect and honor and dignity and legacy and reputation and blah blah blah.

That you would even throw Fox into the conversation says all anyone needs to know.

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

He does know he has chosen a team that has only left the 1st round twice in franchise history right?

And a team that lost the leading scorer, a top pairing Dman and won't have a 1st round pick for about 4 years.

[AltaGuy]

Originally Posted by Philly06Cup

Might as well throw Adam Fox in the conversation too. Scouts knew he was unlikely to play for a small market and was looking to play in NY. What a respectful guy, letting the organization know his intentions from the beginning. Very respectful, giving the Flames so much notice. Apparently around here, giving ample notice is the ultimate sign of respect and honor and dignity and legacy and reputation and blah blah blah.

I'm definitely not "happy" that Tkachuk took this route. But this is the difference between acting like a professional and not. Gaudreau hemmed and hawed, and Tkachuk did not. In almost any professional setting, uncertainty sucks the most.

For what it's worth, Gaudreau handled things less professionally than Fox too: Fox was clear about his intentions and played by the (dumb) rules. He sucks, but you're right that it's not dissimilar to Tkachuk, who used the rules to get what he wants.

I don't like what Tkachuk or Fox did, but I like what Gaudreau did even less.

[drewtastic]

Originally Posted by Philly06Cup

With one year left on his RFA, instead of even trying to negotiate a contract or extension, he said no way trade me plez, here are 6 teams (allegedly). I cannot fathom how people can consider that respectful. His previous contract, he backloaded it so that if he performed like a ~7M player, the flames would have to sign him for at least 9M or let him go. Guy was planning his exit even 3 years ago. How is that respectful.



Johnny was seemingly torn between wanting to stay and doing right by his family -- but somehow that is disrespectful, since he took a long time to make up his mind.



If the Flames get an elite prospect in the future, I would 100/100 times take the 2nd 'disrespectful' attitude over the 1st 'respectful' one who does everything to leave immediately.

I’m with you.

To me, Tkachuk was an exceptional draft pick who was only going to play for us for just a little while. I’ve always considered him to be business savvy (similar to his Dad) and figured he’d bolt out of Calgary as soon as he could. And hey-fair enough. It was wonderful watching him play for the Flames and he provided a number of magnificent moments for the fanbase during his tenure. But I never thought he’d be around long term anyway.

While I also therefore don’t share the “he deserves special acknowledgment for the way he left” (especially as compared to Gaudreau) sentiment, I do give him credit for being direct—as a businessman—in his intentions. This definitely helped the Flames recoup a massive return.

It’s Gaudreau’s leaving that stings more for me. I viewed Gaudreau as a lifelong Flame, not necessarily to one day become as great as Iggy, but to craft his own remarkable legacy and have his jersey retired. It just seemed that he was meant to bleed Flames red. He seemed to genuinely love his time in Calgary, on and off the ice. And I believe him when he says it was a painful decision that took until the very last moment.

Nevertheless, I also don’t begrudge Gaudreau’s choice. In the first place, he’d MORE than earned the right to explore free agency. In the second, I accept his rationale for leaving, especially because he is obviously super tight with his family. (Just watch Ryan Leslie’s Instagram interview with Johnny and Guy—hard not to love those guys. And, like many of us, I’ve had a bunch of fun interactions with “Uncle Hockey” on twitter…it’s clear Johnny’s family loves engaging with his entire NHL ride...)

As a guy who is also very close to his immediate and extended families, Johnny’s rationale resonated very deeply. If anything, I gained more respect for him out of this whole thing.

[Mathgod]

Originally Posted by Philly06Cup

Might as well throw Adam Fox in the conversation too. Scouts knew he was unlikely to play for a small market and was looking to play in NY. What a respectful guy, letting the organization know his intentions from the beginning. Very respectful, giving the Flames so much notice. Apparently around here, giving ample notice is the ultimate sign of respect and honor and dignity and legacy and reputation and blah blah blah.

lol

Chucky gave the Flames 6 quality years of service, established himself as a star, and worked with the team to maximize the return they could get for him. Equating this situation to Fox is beyond absurd.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by drewtastic

I’m with you.

To me, Tkachuk was an exceptional draft pick who was only going to play for us for just a little while. I’ve always considered him to be business savvy (similar to his Dad) and figured he’d bolt out of Calgary as soon as he could. And hey-fair enough. It was wonderful watching him play for the Flames and he provided a number of magnificent moments for the fanbase during his tenure. But I never thought he’d be around long term anyway.

While I also therefore don’t share the “he deserves special acknowledgment for the way he left” (especially as compared to Gaudreau) sentiment, I do give him credit for being direct—as a businessman—in his intentions. This definitely helped the Flames recoup a massive return.

It’s Gaudreau’s leaving that stings more for me. I viewed Gaudreau as a lifelong Flame, not necessarily to one day become as great as Iggy, but to craft his own remarkable legacy and have his jersey retired. It just seemed that he was meant to bleed Flames red. He seemed to genuinely love his time in Calgary, on and off the ice. And I believe him when he says it was a painful decision that took until the very last moment.

Nevertheless, I also don’t begrudge Gaudreau’s choice. In the first place, he’d MORE than earned the right to explore free agency. In the second, I accept his rationale for leaving, especially because he is obviously super tight with his family. (Just watch Ryan Leslie’s Instagram interview with Johnny and Guy—hard not to love those guys. And, like many of us, I’ve had a bunch of fun interactions with “Uncle Hockey” on twitter…it’s clear Johnny’s family loves engaging with his entire NHL ride...)

As a guy who is also very close to his immediate and extended families, Johnny’s rationale resonated very deeply. If anything, I gained more respect for him out of this whole thing.

Of out all the interviews and letters and statements that have come out recently I've come to realize that Gaudreau is the one who actually had loyalty to this city. The unfortunate part was that his indecision and being torn between his wishes and that of family was that he dragged it out to the last minute - often something emotional people do when faced with things they care deeply about.

Matthew Tkachuk has basically described how he was always just a hired mercenary since his last contract. For better or for worse, his business-like focus did end up benefitting the team much more in the end.

[dino7c]

better than Fox and Gaudreau sure but that is a pretty low bar

He gets a pass because the return is so good I would have made this trade it if he wanted to stay...still a slap in the face for the city though

There really isn't enough of a reward for drafting and developing these days...might need to be addressed. League loves parody but there are markets with major advantages.


I also think Tkachuk is over rated big time so I'm glad the Flames didn't give him 80M+...and that isn't a new revelation

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Of out all the interviews and letters and statements that have come out recently I've come to realize that Gaudreau is the one who actually had loyalty to this city. The unfortunate part was that his indecision and being torn between his wishes and that of family was that he dragged it out to the last minute - often something emotional people do when faced with things they care deeply about.

Matthew Tkachuk has basically described how he was always just a hired mercenary since his last contract. For better or for worse, his business-like focus did end up benefitting the team much more in the end.

I defended Goodrow for the past 6 years against posters like Estrada and Timbit who wanted to run him out of town since year 2.

I could accept his decision to leave for his family to be close to home if he signed with the Devils, Isles or Flyers. but then to leave the Flames for the BJs and for less money? eff off! Coupled with that huge cringe press conference, and releasing his I like Calgary 1 week too late I'm ok with booing him whenever he returns like Adam Lindros.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by dino7c

better than Fox and Gaudreau sure but that is a pretty low bar

He gets a pass because the return is so good I would have made this trade it if he wanted to stay...still a slap in the face for the city though

There really isn't enough of a reward for drafting and developing these days...might need to be addressed. League loves parody but there are markets with major advantages.


I also think Tkachuk is over rated big time so I'm glad the Flames didn't give him 80M+...and that isn't a new revelation

The Flames and Brad definitely dodged a bullet with Chucky. There is no way we should pay him anything over $8mil/per.

Panthers paying Bennett $4.4 and Tkachuk $9.5..... going to look SO bad moving forward. And Reinhart @$6.5 lol

[Locke]

Call me jaded but I hardly believe anything hockey players say, and even more when talking about Tkachuk.

He's a professional with a lot of experience and guidance but seriously? All roads out of Florida run through Tampa. By the time Tampa sucks so will Florida.

"A better chance to win!" ??

In Florida? Its as much a lottery as anywhere else.

I dont buy a word of it.

Although...the way he engineered his exit gives me a lot of respect for him. I've always felt that Chucky was a Professional. Essentially a Mercenary. He will do whatever you pay him to do.

He comes from a Professional Hockey family, they understand that Pro Hockey is an opportunity, not necessarily a career.

So he made his call and he gave his team an opportunity. Its really no skin off his ass and actually makes everything better for all parties. Thats what a Professional does.

[liamenator]

Never liked cheering for him. Never felt like he clicked with the team or the town. Made enemies of teammates, ghosted every playoff. He's a pro, he's savvy, and he has a good PR team, but I look forward to booing the hell out of him as he toils in mediocrity in south Florida.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Johnny Makarov

I defended Goodrow for the past 6 years against posters like Estrada and Timbit who wanted to run him out of town since year 2.

I could accept his decision to leave for his family to be close to home if he signed with the Devils, Isles or Flyers. but then to leave the Flames for the BJs and for less money? eff off! Coupled with that huge cringe press conference, and releasing his I like Calgary 1 week too late I'm ok with booing him whenever he returns like Adam Lindros.

I was of the same mindset, but from recent interviews like the Leslie live interview with Johnny and Guy today - I've changed my mind because of how emotional Guy has said Johnny was about things (cried a lot and will probably cry on his return here), and how travelling across the continent into another country has been difficult for them as a family. Columbus works for them since its close but not so close (speculation: its not so close that his childhood Jersey shore crew don't become an entourage) and so that he has his own space to raise his family while his mom and dad can easily visit with a short flight. I'd be disappointed if he's booed on his return. Ultimately, I think Gaudreau was a mix of emotion-fueled indecision with not being able to really articulate his thoughts on the first day.

[PuckDemon]

Originally Posted by Mathgod

lol

Chucky gave the Flames 6 quality years of service, established himself as a star, and worked with the team to maximize the return they could get for him. Equating this situation to Fox is beyond absurd.

I don't really fault Fox either. He bet on himself and won. His trade value helped us land Lindy and Hanifin. Maybe if Chucky had the NCAA loophole he would have done the same.

[Tacoman]

The two things that happen in the playoffs is that it gets more physical and the pace goes faster. The last six years have shown that having your two best players with fatal flaws in those two categories was a recipe for disappointment. Chucky can feel he’s got a better chance to win elsewhere but I also think we have a better chance to win with bigger, faster players like we’ve added.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by PuckDemon

I don't really fault Fox either. He bet on himself and won. His trade value helped us land Lindy and Hanifin. Maybe if Chucky had the NCAA loophole he would have done the same.

I think we were just lucky that Carolina thought they had a chance to sign Fox. Other GMs might have seen the writing on the wall that he would Lindros everybody except the NYR and given us garbage in return.