Philadelphia Flyers
Johnny Gaudreau Ripped for Leaving Calgary and Going to CBJ
Johnny Gaudreau, the electric left winger who wanted to play for the Philadelphia Flyers, is getting criticized by some members of the Canadian media for having the gall to leave their country for Columbus.
“Clearly it’s his prerogative, but the deception and the destination are what now stick in the craw of Flames fans and an organization that deserved better from the former face of the franchise, wrote Eric Francis for SportsNet in Canada.
He added: “As is his right, his ABC approach (Anywhere But Calgary) saw him turn down $84 million (eight years at $10.5 million) to accept a $68.25 million deal (7 x $9.75 million) in a city that is still a 75-minute flight from home.
“That doesn’t sit well with a fan base and franchise that waited patiently, in good faith, for a “negotiation” that held up everything else on the Flames’ to-do list.
“So, we wondered, why did it take so long before he pulled the plug at the 11th hour, giving the Flames no time to trade his rights?”
The headline on the story: “Columbus? Really? Gaudreau won’t ever be viewed the same in Calgary.”
The full rant is here.
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In the story, Gaudreau called Calgary a “special place for me,” said it was “time to make a change,” and that it was something he and his wife, Meredith, “talked about for a long time.”
Gaudreau wanted to come to Philadelphia, according to his dad, Guy.
But Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher, inexplicably, never talked to his agent because he said he didn’t have enough cap space and that, in order to get more room, he would have had to deal someone he wanted to keep.
So the NHL’s second-leading scorer last season will play in Columbus, and the Flyers will struggle to score goals.
Again.
The Philadelphia Flyers were next to last in the NHL last season, averaging 2.56 goals per game. Only Arizona (2.51) was worse.
In other words, bypassing Gaudreau — who would have been a great piece to build around during a much-needed rebuild — is not causing fans to rush for Flyers season tickets.
Au contraire.
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Philly dodged a bullet there.
My kid was a %70 student in Canada he went to American high school a year and became a %90 student
Back to Canada after a year and down below %70 its uncompareable
Great athletics though 2nd to none .they never even knew about getting ass kicked in war of 1812 so why would Johnny’s wife want Jr taught in Canada ?
Plus hed need learn French and figure out the funny coloured $$$ and God forbid missing out on a possible shooting or so .
Colombus I spent a week there one night the gloomiest apitimy of rustbelt lol and they give up on Calgary jajaja and Banff
Ok good luck
My apologies as a Canadian. Calgary has a knack for overstating themselves and belittling others. Edmonton is usually their target because they kick their ass in just about everything. Columbus is a target of their insecure approach to life. Calgary is the best place in the world to live. If you don’t believe me just ask a Calgarian. They honestly believe this. They are the Bugtussle of the NHL and the rest of us are just Hooterville to them.
in all seriousness this Calgary reporter is joke. No one takes him seriously . Homer Francis is known for his over the top reporting on all things Calgary.
This article just gives a little insight on what makes the Battle of Alberta so intense. Edmonton just loves kicking their ass and sending their embedded reporters under a coatpile.
Imagine living just 2 hrs away from this attitude.
And yes Philly did dodge a bullet. Johnny hockey is a 7 MM player at most with a horrible playoff performance record. He chokes and disappears when needed most.
Pass on Tkachuk as well. Another overpaid Calgary hyped player
You said it was “inexplicable” that Fletcher didn’t talk to Gaudreau’s agent, then went on to explain why he didn’t in the same sentence. It would be better to say it was “indefensible”. Don’t worry, my editing services are free.
It didn’t make sense going after Johnny Hockey because the Flyers couldn’t afford him. They would have had to probably trade Provy and Konecney to open up cap space which I’m not against but trading either of those two after both of them having bad years, wouldn’t have been a wise decision. Chuck Fletcher has turned the Flyers into the MN Wild. Before Fletcher came here the Flyers were not in that bad of shape. They had cap space and some good prospects. Since he came to town, it’s been all down hill. Dave Scott, Homer, Clarke and Fletcher all have to good before this franchise turns around