Why did Flames star Johnny Gaudreau choose the Columbus Blue Jackets?

The now former Flames star dropped a bombshell on the league by switching teams, but the question now is, can one of the league’s best find success with a new franchise?

Johnny Gaudreau signs for Columbus Blue Jackets

According to reports, Johnny Gaudreau has signed a seven-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets worth $68.25 million. The news comes as an outright shock to the hockey world, after Gaudreau put pen to paper on a deal that will see him earn a little less than $10 million per season for the duration of the contract. With that, Gaudreau becomes the biggest star to be acquired by the Blue Jackets in their history.

It goes without saying that this is a major loss for the Calgary Flames, who Gaudreau left after a prolific 2021-22 campaign. Across the season, the left wing scored 40 goals and was a near miss for the Art Ross Trophy with 115 points. Indeed, Gaudreau’s partnership with Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk was electrifying to watch and even better in results, as they took the Pacific Division title. In the eight seasons that he played in Calgary to the tune of more than 600 games, he contributed over a point per game. It is understood, that Gaudreau informed the franchise of his intention to test the market - the day before free agency - prior to the finalization of terms with Columbus.

Why did Johnny Gaudreau pick the Blue Jackets?

Though it was clearly Calgary’s hope that Gaudreau would tie himself to the team for the long term, a potential move was always on the cards as he has long been linked with a move to the east. As a Salem native, the expectation was that he would sign with either Philadelphia or New Jersey - the Flyers and Devils were both reported to have tried to acquire him - but in the end Ohio was his choice. What’s interesting about Gaudreau’s selection is that it doesn’t appear to have been made on the grounds of money or any allegiance to a team, but rather his family. Far from his home town and apparently indifferent about the large amount of money offered by both Calgary and New Jersey. That being said, it’s curious to note that the team to which he is going is not exactly in the best shape

Still in the process of rebuilding after the departures of Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky a few seasons ago, the Blue Jackets are not exactly contenders at this moment in time. On the other hand, it must be said that they have handled the process well. The likes of young exciting prospects such as, Cole Sillinger, Kent Johnson, Adam Boqvist, Jake Bean and David Jiricek may well be the kind of supporting cast that can provide Gaudreau with the launchpad he needs to take the Blue Jackets to success in the near future.

What now for the Calgary Flames?

Despite several attempts to convince Gaudreau to stay, offering varying eight-year contracts, the Flames were not able to get a deal done with Geadreau, who according to reports simply wanted to do what was best for his family. That’s to say: find a new home. “It’s a disappointing day to say the very least,” Flames general manager Brad Treliving said after learning that Gaudreau would enter free agency. “I can assure our fans that we have done everything possible to keep John in Calgary. I want to wish him and his family the very, very best. He gave us 8 great years here.”