Will Johnny Gaudreau sign with the New Jersey Devils?
There is a good possibility for a variety of reasons. Although Elliott Friedman reported that “one executive saying his team heard an eight-year deal with an AAV of $10.5M”, Calgary Flames gave their best and final offer. But what the hockey world found out by 8pm ET last night was the Flames could not give him the geographical vicinity of being close to his family in South Jersey. The Flames did everything they could but in the end, Gaudreau simply wants to go home like how Zach Parise did in 2012.
The three choices that would intrigue Gaudreau: Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils
The Philadelphia Flyers would be Gaudreau’s sentimental choice because he grew up in South Jersey and as a Flyers fan. Unless the Flyers make some quick drastic cap saving moves while Gaudreau would be willing to take a major reduction in pay compared to the Flames’ best and final offer, it is unlikely that the Flyers would end up with Gaudreau.
Looks like Lou Lamoriello is all in and will do his best to make a serious offer to entice to Long Island. The Islanders technically have some cap space at around $11M at the moment but that does not factor in needing to sign their restricted free agents and take into consideration of Matthew Barzal’s contract extension after next season. At the very least, Lamoriello knows he should at least try and if all else fails, drive up the price knowing he mostly will be in the Metropolitan Division for years to come. Does Lamoriello have any magical tricks up his sleeve?
The Devils are in the best overall position here. They have the cap space, located within a two hour drive to Gaudreau’s family from Carney’s Point to Newark (30 mins by air if they use the Devils owner's helicopter and the Rock's helipad), and Johnny Hockey would be coming to a team stockpiled of young promising talent. Gaudreau would be reunited with former teammate Dougie Hamilton and knows the Devils are about to breakout of the rebuild.
What is interesting here is the speculation on social media that Calgary’s restricted free agent Matthew Tkachuk would want to leave Calgary now that Gaudreau is leaving. I am not buying that just yet. However, the Devils have inquired about Tkachuk supposedly at last week’s NHL Draft in Montreal but the Flames quickly stopped Fitzgerald from “kicking the tires” on any talk. But we live in a much different world since then. Although the Flames don’t want to make a “knee jerk reaction”, they maybe faced with a possibility of a complete rebuild in the near future.
Here’s hoping that Tom Fitzgerald navigates this craziness beginning at Noon ET today!
More Gaudreau Talk
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Sam Woo is co-host and executive producer of the Let's Go Devils Podcast which can be heard live every Sunday at 9pm ET and Wednesday at 8:30pm ET.
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