Seravalli: Gaudreau has informed the Flames he will not return

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Wait so I can't have a different definition of how a man should carry himself than you?

That's not allowed? Darn. News to me.

So you don't agree. Fine. But blowing your top over it doesn't look great. Another aspect of being a strong man in his center (imo) is not getting perturbed over people not seeing things the way you do.

I just had an opinion. I don't have all the information either. Its based on just reading between the lines, but I could be wrong about how it unfolded too. I didn't attack you though, and you behave as if I did.

Might want to work on your reactivity.

I'm not perturbed over this at all.

You were the one that seemed to be mad about the situation and questioned Gaudreau's manhood and called him immature because he doesn't share your opinion on how he should have made his decision.

So if anything you were the one that was perturbed first over someone not sharing your opinion (the wrong opinion for that matter) on what it means to be a man or how a decision like this should be made by the leader who is a man or something like that.

Gaudreau made this decision with the consultation of his family and his agent. He made the decision that he thought was best for him and his family. It wasn't about money, it was about what was best for him.

You were the one that challenged that and started saying he was immature and his parents were making decisions for him. That he wasn't a man, etc.

And people called you out because it was an embarrassing take.

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Lol if you think Gaudreau will never get a mean comment in Philly or NY

Just wait until he has a down year at that salary in those markets

Originally Posted by StoneCole

Philly fans are so progressive and welcoming and would never slander a player who left.

I don't dispute that there will be awful comments from Philly or NY fans. There will be, as there would from every single fan base.

What I believe is the difference is that outside of Canadian markets, NHL players can largely escape from the noise and lunatics. Is there anywhere Gaudreau could go in Calgary to escape? Not likely.

Boston is a hockey hotbed by American standards and Iginla goes about his daily life there as a relative unknown, regular individual.

[Buff]

edit: I'm late to the party and don't need to pile on

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by sticktrick

I think Gaudreau liked in playing Calgary and would still like to play here considering his attachment to some teammates, etc. But, his sights were always focused on going back and playing with the Flyers when his UFA window opened and now that he has a baby on the way and finally the opportunity to be close to his family, etc. Flyers need to move money to make him fit and I'd bet that's what's going on. If that doesn't pan out, no doubt he's contemplating his other options in the Eastern conference. If Philly were in NJ's situation with the cap, the deal would have been done first thing this morning, IMO

Maybe, but based on the reports, I don’t think the Flyers are even in the running. They made some huge decisions earlier this offseason that took them right out of the Johnny sweepstakes IMO (Ristolainen, DeAngelo).

In my opinion, I believe Johnny wanted to come back to Calgary all along. If it was just up to him, he’d be a Flame again. But unfortunately for us Flames fans, Johnny’s family has considerably more influence. They want him back just as much as we do. Throw in the wife’s family as well who probably want her back and it’s not even a contest anymore.

My belief is that Treliving really needed to re-sign Johnny last offseason, prior to Johnny’s wedding. The second Johnny said he never wanted to leave and was open to re-signing, that’s when the deal needed to be closed because right now, a pregnant Meredith yields considerably higher sway now than when she was just Johnny’s fiancé IMO.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Personally, I have 0 issue with him deciding to leave and wanting to be closer home.

I just don't like how it came together and how he handcuffed us in the process.

Be conflicted, make a determination sooner...that's really all.

I'm undecided as to whether to "cheer him on" on another team or if I hope he doesn't win a cup without us...likely land somewhere in the middle.

But thankful for all the memories and moments Johnny brought us.

[djsFlames]

Absolutely grateful for his years here. It was a ride, and this team would not have been as fun without his unique skill set here.

Hard to say as a self respecting fan that you're fine with how either side went about reaching this conclusion though.

Flames needed to be assertive to get an answer sooner, and manage some assets out of it, and Gaudreau needed to be more transparent and honest with his long time club, especially going into the draft, where the team could have made moves into anticipation of him departing.

Johnny was way too casual about this in regards to his dealings with Flames, while the Flames entire future and offseason hinged on this decision.

Brad gave a respectful presser, but I can't imagine what it was like in the front office behind closed doors.

[OptimalTates]

Why blame Gaudreau though? It was the Flames that would be handcuffed by his decision, it was up to them to set the limits so they wouldn’t be. They were the ones trying to sign him afterall.

Treliving could have set a deadline, he didn’t, its on him.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by NegativeSpace

Just my take on things, but I think that the Flames were plan B for a while but he did not communicate that to the team. Instead, I think that he said all the right things and led the team to believe that he was willing to stay in Calgary long term. I suspect that Johnny was waiting for something to come along that would make his decision easy. The Flames completely make an outrageous offer - he stays. The Flames low-ball him - he leaves. The FA market low-balls him or he has no teams in the east - he stays. None of those happened.

In my view, he waited until the last minute to see if something would happen that would make his decision for him and he did not have to disappoint anyone. When that didn't happen (i.e., there is significant interest in the east at significant contracts and the Flames were making a significant offer) he was left with disappointing someone. I wish that he was honest with the Flames that they were plan B (the impression I got from Treliving's presser did not indicate that information was conveyed earlier as he seemed quite upset - just my impression before anyone argues). If Johnny did tell the Flames that they were plan B early, then I agree that it was an error not to trade him.

This sounds right. And I agree he probably left the team with the wrong impression as a result.

[agulati]

Nothing yet. Any chance whatsoever that he pivots back in our direction? I know I know slim to none.

[littlereddevil]

Originally Posted by DiracSpike

Players don't want to play in Canadian markets because they don't like cold, small, heavily taxed cities. Not because of mean comments. Have you met an east coast hockey fan? They're crazy and much more mean than Canadian fans. My friend lives in NYC and can't wear his Flames jersey to any of the games when the team is in town because of how stupid people there are.

To be fair, it depends where you live in the States. If you live in California, your cost of living is easily higher than anywhere in Canada.

But remember that these players are multimillionaires. They're basically set for life unless they make some really dumb financial decisions with all of their earnings, the point about taxes isn't that important.

We also have to remember that Canada's approach to COVID may have also impacted Gaudreau's decision to re-sign or not with Calgary. For a long time he was unable to see his aging parents and partner. My sister's partner is American, and they were forced to live apart for a while, with it being very difficult for her partner to come to Canada for a while. You try living away from your partner for a while and not end up feeling lonely. Even though these are pro athletes, remember that they also have personal lives too that are important. Canada just isn't as desirable of a location anymore for people to live, and even after COVID things don't seem so cheery. Can you really blame a player with no roots here for wanting to return closer to home to be with their loved ones?

I think Gaudreau and other American players (that would likely follow his lead) have families too and maybe they realize that winning the Stanley Cup isn't the be all end all (and who knows, maybe a young and upcoming team where they sign will eventually win the Cup). They have other priorities in life.

Sort of difficult to justify living thousands of kilometres away from family, especially when your parents get older and start to have health problems, or you are starting your own family, just to pursue that slim chance of winning the cup while playing in the same division as McDavid. I'm sure this was a very difficult decision for Gaudreau to make, but ultimately we have to respect his decision. I just wish that he had made his intentions clearer with this organization 1 year ago so the Flames could have at least gotten back some value for him in a trade.

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Originally Posted by OptimalTates

Why blame Gaudreau though? It was the Flames that would be handcuffed by his decision, it was up to them to set the limits so they wouldn’t be. They were the ones trying to sign him afterall.

Treliving could have set a deadline, he didn’t, its on him.

I'm obviously working on very limited information but my sense from reports and watching Tre yesterday was he was misled. They were counter-offering and etc. which intimated and suggested this as $-decision.

But absolutely, Tre and management learned a valuable lesson here. Set a deadline and stick to it, period.

[Pickle Juice]

Originally Posted by agulati

Nothing yet. Any chance whatsoever that he pivots back in our direction? I know I know slim to none.

I was wondering the same thing and if it has ever happened in the past?

[flamesrule_kipper34]

Originally Posted by agulati

Nothing yet. Any chance whatsoever that he pivots back in our direction? I know I know slim to none.

0. Kadri hasn't signed yet either...all it means is either the agents are driiving up the bidding and/or finalizing terms/structures.

In Johnny's case I think he can take his sweet time IF he's landed on a destination (e.g. Devils) and they just want to work out the final structure.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by flamesrule_kipper34

I'm obviously working on very limited information but my sense from reports and watching Tre yesterday was he was misled. They were counter-offering and etc. which intimated and suggested this as $-decision.

But absolutely, Tre and management learned a valuable lesson here. Set a deadline and stick to it, period.

Sure seems like it...counter offer wasn't really an offer at all.

[Flamesfan05]

Johnny is probably not getting close to what the Flames were giving him

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

Johnny is probably not getting close to what the Flames were giving him

In AAV maybe, but in total dollars I highly doubt it

[Manhattanboy]

Originally Posted by flamesrule_kipper34

Personally, I have 0 issue with him deciding to leave and wanting to be closer home.

I just don't like how it came together and how he handcuffed us in the process.

Be conflicted, make a determination sooner...that's really all.

I'm undecided as to whether to "cheer him on" on another team or if I hope he doesn't win a cup without us...likely land somewhere in the middle.

But thankful for all the memories and moments Johnny brought us.

I wonder if he received poor advice from his agent in terms of process, timing etc - in that he could have wound up in the same place at the end of the day while giving the Flames other options.

Perhaps another agency would have handled things differently.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by agulati

Nothing yet. Any chance whatsoever that he pivots back in our direction? I know I know slim to none.

I mean, what if you're talking about a ~15 million dollar discrepancy in the NYI/NJ offers from Calgary's?

How much of a haircut is he willing to take for family proximity comfort?

[flamesrule_kipper34]

And just to add to people still pining for Johnny to pivot back to Calgary.

1. Tre was very clear that is not something he expected (testing free agency vs. leaving Calgary)

2. His agent and himself would have talked thru that outcome because it costs him a year and I just don't see that...i.e. he can only sign 7-year terms now.

His agent must have a good handle on the market and they're trying to squeeze out the best deal period while having him close to home, that's all.

[Matty81]

It's a surprisingly small market but if he has two teams competing he still has some leverage. If the Isles weren't in on him Jersey could basically give him a take it or leave it offer around 9 X 6 and strongarm him.