Spoiler Alert: this is about Gaudreau so no need to read if you're done with it.

At 11pm Tuesday he said no to $84M
Within the next 12! hours he realizes/finds out that Flyers, Devils, (Islanders and Rangers?) are not interested in even making an offer for the biggest fish in the UFA sweepstakes. (Apparently, not one of them said " Give us a day to see if we can make it work somehow.")
Within the next 2-4 hours he calls Columbus and says something to the effect of: Will you give me a job? (Name me one superstar in ANY major sport who is known to have done that and then signed within hours? And remember Kekalainen "claims" he had no prior knowledge of Gaudreau's intentions.)
So then Kekalainen thinks (long and hard) before coming up with a number that he's not embarrassed to offer (under the alleged circumstances, why would he do otherwise?) which is 15M -almost 20%- less than the offer JG just turned down.
JG doesn't say: That's a bit low or give me some time to consider it or maybe Flyers might call me back, etc.
Instead, he immediately (within a couple hours) says: "Wonderful! I'll take it!"
So what's wrong with this picture? Imo, the pieces don't fit together very well.
It took him a year - or more - to decide he didn't want to stay in Calgary (or so he claims). But then it took him less than 24 hours to initiate contact with Columbus and actually sign the offer? (Side question: Does his agent get a commission for this?)
Treliving says his conversation with JG was "very emotional."
Well, if it was, then that might explain why anyone in their right mind would make a business/life decision involving tens of millions of dollars in less than 24 hours after having just turned your back on the previous 10 years of your life - albeit where things may not have been your idea of perfect.
Imo, this whole situation has the appearance being of a poorly thought out reaction to more pressure than a grown up kid could handle - (I think he is a kid at heart) - who just "wants to play hockey."
That's why after trying to understand what happened I feel sorry for him. Not because he decided Calgary wasn't for him but because he seems like a pretty decent person and this situation looks like he chose to deny his own needs and feelings trying to please other people.
It's happened before and it'll happen again. Often when there's a lot of money involved you get a lot of help. Too much help.
Good luck, John. I hope you have a happy birthday this Aug 13th.
I have a hunch that other people who know you are hoping the same thing, not least of all Brad Treliving.

Well said it was in, I always appreciate your insight.

I have always respected loyalty however misguided it may seem to me.
Your opening statement about not shi**ting the bed for draft picks and a rebuild is hard to understand.
Teams are built around the draft and trades.
How would you like to have Makar, McKinnon, McDavid or Mathews.... all draft picks.
When the Flames won their Cup in 89 a major trade right before the playoffs was instrumental.
It involved Brett Hull and Steve Bozek going to St.Louis for Rob Ramage and a goalie Rick Wamsley coming to Calgary.
Brett was quite upset about it.
BUT THEY WON THE CUP AND BRETT WENT ON TO HAVE A GREAT CAREER.
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH WINNING AND WINNING TEAMS TEND TO BE TREATED BETTER THAN LOSING ONES.
- Fan the Flame

He’s talking about tanking . He sees no honour in it.

Well said it was in, I always appreciate your insight.
- FlamesFan1230

Thanks for reading.
(I don't know sh!t about contracts and the CBA but I think I've learned a bit about human nature so that's how I relate to a lot of this stuff.)
And after thinking this through I don't see any way Tkachuk doesn't feel he'd be losing face if he stays - unless maybe they give him the C - but that would be a real gamble for an RFA and I imagine Treliving's riverboat days may be in the rear view mirror now.
My biggest shock of this season actually was Brady signing in Ottawa. I still don't understand that - unless he wanted to keep an overbearing father at a distance maybe. (And actually when you consider how much influence GG had in JG's development maybe Columbus rather than NJ or Philly really is his first choice for exactly the same reason.) We'll probably know eventually, if we still care of course.

Spoiler Alert: this is about Gaudreau so no need to read if you're done with it.

At 11pm Tuesday he said no to $84M
Within the next 12! hours he realizes/finds out that Flyers, Devils, (Islanders and Rangers?) are not interested in even making an offer for the biggest fish in the UFA sweepstakes. (Apparently, not one of them said " Give us a day to see if we can make it work somehow.")
Within the next 2-4 hours he calls Columbus and says something to the effect of: Will you give me a job? (Name me one superstar in ANY major sport who is known to have done that and then signed within hours? And remember Kekalainen "claims" he had no prior knowledge of Gaudreau's intentions.)
So then Kekalainen thinks (long and hard) before coming up with a number that he's not embarrassed to offer (under the alleged circumstances, why would he do otherwise?) which is 15M -almost 20%- less than the offer JG just turned down.
JG doesn't say: That's a bit low or give me some time to consider it or maybe Flyers might call me back, etc.
Instead, he immediately (within a couple hours) says: "Wonderful! I'll take it!"
So what's wrong with this picture? Imo, the pieces don't fit together very well.
It took him a year - or more - to decide he didn't want to stay in Calgary (or so he claims). But then it took him less than 24 hours to initiate contact with Columbus and actually sign the offer? (Side question: Does his agent get a commission for this?)
Treliving says his conversation with JG was "very emotional."
Well, if it was, then that might explain why anyone in their right mind would make a business/life decision involving tens of millions of dollars in less than 24 hours after having just turned your back on the previous 10 years of your life - albeit where things may not have been your idea of perfect.
Imo, this whole situation has the appearance being of a poorly thought out reaction to more pressure than a grown up kid could handle - (I think he is a kid at heart) - who just "wants to play hockey."
That's why after trying to understand what happened I feel sorry for him. Not because he decided Calgary wasn't for him but because he seems like a pretty decent person and this situation looks like he chose to deny his own needs and feelings trying to please other people.
It's happened before and it'll happen again. Often when there's a lot of money involved you get a lot of help. Too much help.
Good luck, John. I hope you have a happy birthday this Aug 13th.
I have a hunch that other people who know you are hoping the same thing, not least of all Brad Treliving.
- itwasin

Good grief man 🤦

Thanks for reading.
(I don't know sh!t about contracts and the CBA but I think I've learned a bit about human nature so that's how I relate to a lot of this stuff.)
And after thinking this through I don't see any way Tkachuk doesn't feel he'd be losing face if he stays - unless maybe they give him the C - but that would be a real gamble for an RFA and I imagine Treliving's riverboat days may be in the rear view mirror now.
My biggest shock of this season actually was Brady signing in Ottawa. I still don't understand that - unless he wanted to keep an overbearing father at a distance maybe. (And actually when you consider how much influence GG had in JG's development maybe Columbus rather than NJ or Philly really is his first choice for exactly the same reason.) We'll probably know eventually, if we still care of course.
- itwasin

Man, you WILDLY speculate about what’s going on inside peoples minds and act like you know….you don’t KNOW poop from wild honey.

Man, you WILDLY speculate about what’s going on inside peoples minds and act like you know….you don’t KNOW poop from wild honey.
- HonkyTonkMan

Some people don't want you to say this, some people don't want you to say that. Some people think if you mention some things, they might happen. Some people are really fu,cking stupid!

Did you ever notice that? How many really stupid people you run into during the day? Goddamn there's a lot of stupid bastards walking around. Carry a little pad and pencil with you - you'll wind up with thirty or forty names by the end of the day.

Look at it this way: think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize that half of them are stupider than that.

-George Carlin.

I land in Frankfurt then train to Berlin for a few days to wander the streets again ( it’s been over 10 years). Then train to Hamburg for a punk festival and fly home. Short trip, only 10 days including travel.
- HonkyTonkMan

Oh, which one? Was just aware of Damage Done Fest end of August, Bad Religion was scheduled 7th Aug but seems got cancelled.

Important for you to know: There is currently a special (local) train ticket (just 9 Euro/month!) which you can use in whole Germany, incl. trams/buses in all cities.

More background facts on Gaudreau's situation....
Meredith Gaudreau is a pediatric neonatology nurse. She attended the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur graduating with a B.Sc in Nursing with a Nursing major and Chronic Illness minor. She received her Master’s degree in Pediatric Nursing from Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions in 2020.
She has reportedly been working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) department of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
(Does that sound like she'll be a stay at home mom and hockey wife?)
Coincidentally, Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus is rated as the 10th best NICU pediatric hospital in the US. It is also a pediatric teaching hospital.
There is no similarly rated hospital in Philadelphia or in the New York / New Jersey area.

He’s talking about tanking . He sees no honour in it.
- HonkyTonkMan

In some perverse way he is saying there is no honour in winning.

Spoiler Alert: this is about Gaudreau so no need to read if you're done with it.

At 11pm Tuesday he said no to $84M
Within the next 12! hours he realizes/finds out that Flyers, Devils, (Islanders and Rangers?) are not interested in even making an offer for the biggest fish in the UFA sweepstakes. (Apparently, not one of them said " Give us a day to see if we can make it work somehow.")
Within the next 2-4 hours he calls Columbus and says something to the effect of: Will you give me a job? (Name me one superstar in ANY major sport who is known to have done that and then signed within hours? And remember Kekalainen "claims" he had no prior knowledge of Gaudreau's intentions.)
So then Kekalainen thinks (long and hard) before coming up with a number that he's not embarrassed to offer (under the alleged circumstances, why would he do otherwise?) which is 15M -almost 20%- less than the offer JG just turned down.
JG doesn't say: That's a bit low or give me some time to consider it or maybe Flyers might call me back, etc.
Instead, he immediately (within a couple hours) says: "Wonderful! I'll take it!"
So what's wrong with this picture? Imo, the pieces don't fit together very well.
It took him a year - or more - to decide he didn't want to stay in Calgary (or so he claims). But then it took him less than 24 hours to initiate contact with Columbus and actually sign the offer? (Side question: Does his agent get a commission for this?)
Treliving says his conversation with JG was "very emotional."
Well, if it was, then that might explain why anyone in their right mind would make a business/life decision involving tens of millions of dollars in less than 24 hours after having just turned your back on the previous 10 years of your life - albeit where things may not have been your idea of perfect.
Imo, this whole situation has the appearance being of a poorly thought out reaction to more pressure than a grown up kid could handle - (I think he is a kid at heart) - who just "wants to play hockey."
That's why after trying to understand what happened I feel sorry for him. Not because he decided Calgary wasn't for him but because he seems like a pretty decent person and this situation looks like he chose to deny his own needs and feelings trying to please other people.
It's happened before and it'll happen again. Often when there's a lot of money involved you get a lot of help. Too much help.
Good luck, John. I hope you have a happy birthday this Aug 13th.
I have a hunch that other people who know you are hoping the same thing, not least of all Brad Treliving.
- itwasin

We will never know. To me it seems there was never any intention of staying. Canada needs nurses and Childrens Hospital in Calgary probably could have found her a cushy job if it meant JG would be involved in fundraising and charity work.

Tre was angry, he was composed but you could tell he fully expected JG to stay.

To me it does not add up. But it’s done and I hope Tre can make the team better from the experience.

If we could use Tkatchuk and Corronato to upgrade center/defenseman depth, than you do it.

If they can keep Tkachuk and find a way to convince Shiefly to stay I would be against the retool. But a lot has to go right before both of those things happen.

I land in Frankfurt then train to Berlin for a few days to wander the streets again ( it’s been over 10 years). Then train to Hamburg for a punk festival and fly home. Short trip, only 10 days including travel.
- HonkyTonkMan

Which punk festival??

I soooo want to get over to Wacken open air one of these years.

More background facts on Gaudreau's situation....
Meredith Gaudreau is a pediatric neonatology nurse. She attended the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur graduating with a B.Sc in Nursing with a Nursing major and Chronic Illness minor. She received her Master’s degree in Pediatric Nursing from Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions in 2020.
She has reportedly been working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) department of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
(Does that sound like she'll be a stay at home mom and hockey wife?)
Coincidentally, Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus is rated as the 10th best NICU pediatric hospital in the US. It is also a pediatric teaching hospital.
There is no similarly rated hospital in Philadelphia or in the New York / New Jersey area.
- itwasin

So basically he's wussy whipped...

Well all of us married guys are, just sayin.

AGENT: Johnny, we just got an offer from Col---

Gaudreau: I'll take it...

AGENT: ---umbus...

Gaudreau: FUCK!!

AGENT: Johnny, we just got an offer from Col---

Gaudreau: I'll take it...

AGENT: ---umbus...

Gaudreau: FUCK!!
- LordHumungous

AGENT: Johnny, we just got an offer from Col---

Gaudreau: I'll take it...

AGENT: ---umbus...

Gaudreau: FUCK!!
- LordHumungous

I second this

Was just looking at the Flames roster on Hockeybuzz and Monahan is showing up as a buyout?! Did I miss something?

I think Tkachuk is a cancer. Not an insider but I travel quite a bit and have seen the team at the airport many times. Tkachuk was always off by himself. Always last through security. He always stuck out as being the loner.
- TurdFergeson

Sounds like Dougie Hamilton

More background facts on Gaudreau's situation....
Meredith Gaudreau is a pediatric neonatology nurse. She attended the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur graduating with a B.Sc in Nursing with a Nursing major and Chronic Illness minor. She received her Master’s degree in Pediatric Nursing from Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions in 2020.
She has reportedly been working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) department of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
(Does that sound like she'll be a stay at home mom and hockey wife?)
Coincidentally, Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus is rated as the 10th best NICU pediatric hospital in the US. It is also a pediatric teaching hospital.
There is no similarly rated hospital in Philadelphia or in the New York / New Jersey area.
- itwasin

Is it shocking that he took his wifes career into account while selecting where he would sign.

Is it shocking that he took his wifes career into account while selecting where he would sign.
- Reveen

One thing for certain is Gaudreau will never win a cup playing for the Blue Jackets. From the presser in Columbus Gaudreau looked like what the hell I just did do.

More background facts on Gaudreau's situation....
Meredith Gaudreau is a pediatric neonatology nurse. She attended the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur graduating with a B.Sc in Nursing with a Nursing major and Chronic Illness minor. She received her Master’s degree in Pediatric Nursing from Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions in 2020.
She has reportedly been working in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) department of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
(Does that sound like she'll be a stay at home mom and hockey wife?)
Coincidentally, Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus is rated as the 10th best NICU pediatric hospital in the US. It is also a pediatric teaching hospital.
There is no similarly rated hospital in Philadelphia or in the New York / New Jersey area.
- itwasin

I was thinking the opposite - if they signed away from Philly, then she could retire and wouldn't have to face the wrath of his family, thanks for sharing your view.

From personal experience I was shocked when I found out players' agents pay for large purchases their players make.. there's truth to that they get too much help. I don't feel sorry for Gaudreau, the money & fame's changed him, and I'm glad he's off the team, I'd rather give Pelletier, Coronado, and Philips a chance. I'm can already see JG doing a tell all interview about his decision and portraying himself as a victim.

Safe to say Brad's rebuild has basically failed - with only Tkachuk still standing. Management needs to have an honest conversation whether it's possible to win the Cup with our current assets. It's against Brad's interests because they'll very likely bring in a new GM & the owners are old and might not want to wait another 5-6 years.

We will never know. To me it seems there was never any intention of staying. Canada needs nurses and Childrens Hospital in Calgary probably could have found her a cushy job if it meant JG would be involved in fundraising and charity work.

Tre was angry, he was composed but you could tell he fully expected JG to stay.

To me it does not add up. But it’s done and I hope Tre can make the team better from the experience.

If we could use Tkatchuk and Corronato to upgrade center/defenseman depth, than you do it.

If they can keep Tkachuk and find a way to convince Shiefly to stay I would be against the retool. But a lot has to go right before both of those things happen.
- DuranDuran

Matthew Dumba's a UFA next year IIRC, pray that he wants to be a white knight for us after this and come back home..

If Hanifin's in on it then package him with Valimaki or Kylington. I'm liking the Kylington story but he doesn't have the prototypical Sutter-build.

I actually view Lucic, Toffoli, Tanev, Tkachuk, Lindholm, Backlund, Andersson as the good guys.

Is it shocking that he took his wifes career into account while selecting where he would sign.
- Reveen

Not to me. But if it's at the expense of giving up his window of opportunity on winning the Cup and playing in his home town and getting millions more in salary then yes absolutely. In a nutshell, how is it possible that Treliving could have been so surprised unless a) his agent was just as surprised as Tre was or b) his agent did know that JG would refuse to sign with the Flames - in which case how is it possible that both the Flyers and Devils were so unaware thy didn't make any serious offer at all? And why did he sign within a few hours of getting a single offer - no back and forth, no nothing except Where do I sign? If I was signing a contract for even 100k I'd be looking at it for days before I felt comfortable signing it.
Or maybe the pressure of performing finally got to him which puts me in mind of Henry Ford's quote:
Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.

In other news Carpenter is gone to Rangers and Jarnkrok to the Leafs.

In other news Carpenter is gone to Rangers and Jarnkrok to the Leafs.
- stoops2u

Damn, I just bought their Jerseys. Both were such memorable players......

I actually was hoping Jarnkrok might stick around and redeem himself.