Johnny Gaudreau Decided to Play in Columbus
The New Jersey Devils were one of the frontrunners to sign Johnny Gaudreau. In fact, at one point it came down to the Devils and New York Islanders to sign the top free agent on the board. Unfortunately, the Devils came up short when it was Gaudreau deciding to sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets for seven years at around $9.75 million a season.
The Devils were looking to bring the Jersey Boy home. But again, the Devils could not land the big free agent after landing Dougie Hamilton last season. It would be a tough sell because the Devils are not in contention to make the playoffs, not this season anyway. Not even the lure of more money, reports indicated the Devils went north of $9 million, was going to persuade Gaudreau to play in New Jersey. Then what could have it been for Gaudreau not to sign with the Devils?
-
Ep 68: Auston Matthews Extension, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Much More
by Full Press Coverage on September 1, 2023 at 2:23 am
Jim and Chris are back to chat about the Auston Matthews extension, the […]
Gaudreau was going to play with either Nico Hischier or Jack Hughes. He was going to have the ability to put up a similar amount of points as he did with the Calgary Flames. But the longer the time went on without Gaudreau signing, the less likely the Devils were going to sign him. And that is precisely what happened. Now the Devils are left wondering what went wrong. New Jersey has only themselves to blame as they look in the mirror for answers.
Competitive Level Matters
Heading into free agency the biggest knock on the Devils has been where they are from a competitive level. Having made the playoffs once since their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2012 is not an ideal way to attract free agents. And before anyone starts with they signed Dougie Hamilton last year stuff, Carolina was not going to re-sign him. Hamilton was offered what Carolina thought he should be paid based on their market value for him. The Devils went above and beyond that. Plus the way they structured his contract makes his contract moveable later on if they choose to do so.
While Hamilton was a nice signing for the Devils, they could not land another big free agent. That is because the Devils have yet to play meaningful games down the stretch of the season. As Johnny Gaudreau noted in his press conference, he is going there to win hockey games. And let’s face facts, the Blue Jackets are a little closer than the Devils though some do not want to admit it. Yes, Columbus finished 19 points out of the final playoff spot, but they are never out of any game.
Around Full Press Hockey
NHL: Lightning Extend Mikhail Sergachev, Anthony Cirelli and Erik Cernak
NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: Washington Capitals, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers
NHL: 2022 NHL Free Agency Tracker
NFL: Best Bets For 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year
Full Press Bets: Odds Favor The Avalanche To Repeat As Stanley Cup Champions
PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly: Ep 33: Stanley Cup Final Preview
Philly Just Didn’t Happen
Unfortunately, the Devils have been out of the playoff race early over the last couple of seasons. Last season, the Devils used seven goalies. That did not help matters. It also does not help when Hughes and Hischier get injured. However, there was progress. But maybe it was not enough progress to entice Gaudreau to come to New Jersey.
With Gaudreau, he wanted to play in Philadelphia. And yes they are not much more competitive than the Devils, but they are the team he grew up rooting for. However, the Flyers were not able to make the money work for Gaudreau. The market knew the Flyers had to move James van Riemsdyk, but the Flyers were unwilling to move a first-round pick as part of the package. Therefore, Gaudreau was looking elsewhere.
Another factor in the Gaudreau decision was the size of the Devils forwards. Let’s be honest, the group up front is small. In fact, these forwards are some of the smallest in the league. In Calgary, Gaudreau had linemates that were over 6′-1″. If he had signed in New Jersey, he would be playing with players that were 5′-11″ and under. Where is the protection for Gaudreau who is listed at 5′-9″?
Adding a small forward to the mix is probably not the best for a team. Especially when the top two centers on the team keep getting hurt. Even though the Devils need a scorer, the Devils needed size and Johnny Gaudreau just did not have it. Just look at how the Montreal Canadiens struggled when their forward group was small in size. It is hard to win that way. Colorado and Tampa Bay each have a bigger forward group than New Jersey.
Plan B – Palat
Finally, there has to be a realization that Gaudreau just did not want in at Newark. It is a tough commute for the players. Especially where they decide to live. There is no easy way in or out. Not to mention the stigma around the city. That is why you heard so many around the game say when the Devils made the Final in 2012, why couldn’t the Rangers have won. Nobody wants to go to Newark. It is just the reality of the situation.
So after all that, Tom Fitzgerald had to go to plan B and sign Ondrej Palat. Palat is still a top free agent on the board. Though he is not Gaudreau, he brings something Gaudreau doesn’t… winning. Palat knows what it takes to win. The Devils need that if they want to take the next step. But we will dive deeper into the moves Fitzgerald made in another article.
It just shows that winning and having the right atmosphere matters to players when choosing where they want to play in free agency. The Devils need to change that in order to bring in the top free agents. Because that is how Columbus landed Johnny Gaudreau.
-
Ep 68: Auston Matthews Extension, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Much More
by Full Press Coverage on September 1, 2023 at 2:23 am
Jim and Chris are back to chat about the Auston Matthews extension, the […]
-
Ep 67: Karlsson Trade, Matt Dumba Signs, NHL News and Notes
by Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2023 at 2:21 am
Jim and Chris discuss the big Erik Karlsson trade to Pittsburgh, the Matt […]
-
Ep 66: Vladimir Tarasenko, Patrice Bergeron Retires, RFAs, and More
by Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2023 at 11:59 pm
Jim and Chris return to discuss Vladimir Tarasenko signing in Ottawa, […]
-
Around the NHL: Mike Babcock Resigns as Head Coach In Columbus
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 1:48 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
-
Around the NHL: From Columbus to Montreal To Calgary To Atlanta
by Full Press Coverage on September 16, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Vox Media NHL Analyst Bruce […]
-
California Dreamin' in Los Angeles with Daryl Evans and the Kings
by Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Kings Radio Color Commentary […]
-
Ep 86: David Krejci Announces Retirement
by Full Press Coverage on August 14, 2023 at 10:28 pm
Ian and Chris react to David Krejci's retirement. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Ep 85: Offseason Reset: Lucic, Bergeron, Krejci, and More
by Full Press Coverage on July 23, 2023 at 2:10 pm
Ian and Chris discuss the changes the Bruins have seen over the last few […]
-
S5Ep3 - Mike Babcock Out in Columbus and Steven Stamkos Drops The Hammer in Tampa
by Jim Biringer on September 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
-
S5Ep2 - What Carey Price Meant to the Montreal Canadiens
by Jim Biringer on September 19, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back for the fifth season of the Final Word on Hockey […]
-
Minnesota Wild Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 22, 2023 at 4:10 pm
Hunter Logan Previews The Minnesota Wild Stack the Pucks gives a […]
-
Dallas Stars Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 21, 2023 at 3:45 pm
Hunter Logan Previews The Dallas Stars Stack the Pucks gives a breakdown […]
-
Colorado Avalanche Preview
by Broken Controller Media on September 20, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Hunter Logan Previews The Colorado Avalanche Stack the Pucks gives a […]
-
Episode #144: 22-23 AHL Awards Show
by Full Press Coverage on July 14, 2023 at 10:00 pm
The 2022-23 AHL season has come to a close, and what better way to […]
-
Episode #143: Dessert > Desert
by Full Press Coverage on June 24, 2023 at 5:54 pm
On this episode of The Calder Farmstead, Sean and Sarah wrap up the […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-22 - Recapping prospect camp and a player signing.
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Prospect camp, signing, Jujhar Khaira Learn more about your ad choices. […]
-
Full Press Canadiens 9-22 - Intra-squad scrimmages
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Josh Gosse and Jesse Poirier speak about the latest Montreal Canadiens […]
-
Leafs Digest - 9-22 - Nylander MOVED to Center, Murray and Muzzin OUT for Season | Toronto Maple Leafs News and Updates
by BCM on September 22, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Zack Phillips reacts to Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach, Sheldon Keefe, […]
-
ROP Special Commentary: The Case For Karl
by Charlie Saunier on September 22, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Special Commentary: The Case For Karl Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 9-21 - Training camp, Prospects, Preseason
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Previewing training camp, looking at prospects. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Blackhawks - 9-21 - Kyle Davidson’s Presser Takeaways
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Reacting to what Blackhawks general manager, Kyle Davidson said to media, […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talk
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teams
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/18 - Week 2 Headlines; Monday Night Football Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines from Sunday's action, some […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talk
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
Ep 183: Week 3 Preview vs Saints
by Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:11 am
In this episode, Kyle Senra is joined by Courtney Burrows (luvtractor3) […]
-
Ep 134: NFL Week 2 Studs And Duds
by Full Press Coverage on September 20, 2023 at 7:07 pm
Ian and Braden give their Studs and Duds for the second week of NFL […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teams
by Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
9/18 - Week 2 Headlines; Monday Night Football Predictions
by Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:05 pm
Ian and John discuss some of the headlines from Sunday's action, some […]
-
Ep 133: Week 2 Overreactions
by Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 2:03 pm
Ian and John overreact to what they saw in Week 2 of the NFL. Learn more […]
-
Ep 182: Week 2 Instant Reactions
by Full Press Coverage on September 18, 2023 at 1:52 am
The Green Bay Packers lost a close 25-24 game at the hands of the Atlanta […]
Comments 1