Monday, the Blue Jackets of Columbus visit the Flames for the only duel between the two formations presented in Canada this season. The two teams met on December 9 in Columbus.
Johnny hockey
returns to play where he played eight full seasons and one game early in his career.
In 602 games with the Flames, he scored 210 goals and had 399 assists for 609 points. In the playoffs he added 33 points in 42 games.
An unrestricted free agent at the end of last season, he chose to join the Blue Jackets. He signed a contract for $68.25 million, an average of $9.75 million per season.
The Flames Reportedly offered him more money, but the 29-year-old preferred the USA team’s offer.
Monday morning, he repeated that his decision was the most difficult decision he had to make in his life, but that he had to make it for the good of his family.
I thought for a month whether I should leave or not. I loved my time here, loved the team, the city and the team supporters
he said.
Third ex to return
Johnny Hockey
is the third ex-star player of the Flames to return to Calgary this season after Matthew Tkachuk and Sean Monahan.
On November 29, the crowd gathered at the Saddledome gave a mixed reception to Tkachuk, who left Calgary in conditions almost similar to those of Gaudreau.
The 25-year-old striker’s contract was still valid for one season, but he informed the management of Flames that he was not going to sign with the team long term.
Rather than lose him for nothing, general manager Brad Treliving traded him to the Panthers from Florida.
During the presentation of a tribute video, the public applauded the American player warmly, but he was booed every time he touched the puck during the game.
A few days later, on December 1, it was Sean Monahan’s turn to return to the Saddledome.
Unlike his two ex-teammates, Monahan did not choose to leave Calgary, he was instead sent to Montreal in order to free up space on the payroll of Flameswhich allowed them to agree with free agent Nazem Kadri.
During his return, not only was the striker not booed, but he was even applauded several times, especially when he was presented as the second star of the game.
Mikael Backlund believes that the ex-number 13 of the Flames will receive the same kind of reception as Tkachuk.
I believe he will get booed, considering how things ended here, but I hope people appreciate the tribute that will be given to him. He has long been an important player for us and has done some great things
he points out.
Flames player Elias Lindholm isn’t sure what kind of reception fans are giving Johnny Gaudreau. It’s even
he said,he has done a lot for the team, the community and the city. I hope he has the kind of night he deserves.
For his part, the head coach Darryl Sutter is convinced that the fans will be happy to see Gaudreau back in Calgary. I believe he will be well received, he had quite a career here
he mentions.
As a preventive measure, to prepare him well, Gaudreau’s teammates booed him as soon as he touched the puck during morning practice.
Play against Johnny
Lindholm had the best season of his career last year playing on the line of Tkachuk and Gaudreau.
It was fun to play with him, he is talented and made my life easy on the ice
, he says, adding that it will be difficult to contain him because of his speed. According to him, he will have to be watched closely and given him as little space as possible, otherwise Gaudreau could make some of his former teammates look bad.
Last season, the American forward amassed 115 points to finish tied with Jonathan Huberdeau for second in scoring in the National Hockey League (NHL). It was his best production of his career.
This season in his new uniform, he has amassed 44 points, including 15 goals, in 46 games. He ranks first in team scoring and 43rd in the NHLtied with four other players.