Johnny Gaudreau settled on Columbus after his first choice team, never offered him a deal
Everyone in the hockey world was shocked when Johnny Gaudreau made the decision to sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets on a 7-year deal. When Gaudreau announced he'd intended to test the free agent market and not return to Calgary, most people assumed he was headed to New Jersey or Philadelphia.
According to Elliotte Friedman, Gaudreau actually had hoped to join the Flyers. Apparently all along the Flyers were Gaudreau's first choice, but that deal never came together. Actually, an offer never even came from the Flyers.
Friedman on 32TP says Gaudreau wanted to go to Philly, that was his no.1 choice. Friedman was told Philly was never going to be in on Gaudreau but he refused to believe it, but they never were. Flyers were 40 pts out of the playoffs, does Gaudreau alone solve that problem?
Ellis situation complicated things, if they don't have him they need to find d-men. They decided they were better off filling other holes in their roster than spending all their cap on Gaudreau. Flyers feel Torts can make a difference, players will have fresh start under him.
Ellis situation complicated things, if they don't have him they need to find d-men. They decided they were better off filling other holes in their roster than spending all their cap on Gaudreau. Flyers feel Torts can make a difference, players will have fresh start under him.
Chuck Fletcher also went on record of saying that the he wasn't willing to make an offer because it would be "tough" for him to have to move contracts to create room. So it appears, despite what Gaudreau is selling, Columbus wasn't on the top of his list of locations.
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