It’s obvious the 30-year-old Gaudreau could’ve had much more success, team-wise and personally, if he’d gone to the Devils or Flyers.
Both New Jersey and Philadelphia also missed the playoffs this season, but with Gaudreau on board, those teams would’ve benefitted from his talent with the puck. You can even make the case they would’ve been post-season teams with him on their side.
Of course, not many people would've predicted the Flyers finishing four points out of the playoffs, let alone being in post-season position for most of the year. But even last season, when they were well out of the playoffs, they were still 16 points better than Columbus. This season, Philadelphia could have used Gaudreau to lead by example by producing at a higher rate than Cam Atkinson or even Sean Couturier, elevating the younger players in the process. Take Atkinson's or Ryan Johansen's cap hit off the books, and there'd be room right now for Gaudreau on Philadelphia.
As for the Devils, they looked on their way to becoming a Stanley Cup contender after last season. While this year saw the team take a big step back, there's still potential for them to get better goaltending and return to where they were. But with the Devils adding Timo Meier last year, Gaudreau may have lost out on the opportunity to try to win a Cup in New Jersey.
Even sticking with the Flames would’ve given Gaudreau a better shot at the Stanley Cup playoffs, although probably not a Cup. But although he has a full no-trade clause in the next two seasons, Gaudreau must wonder if the grass is greener elsewhere.
Columbus is still looking for a new GM (and probably a new coach). Whoever gets the gig running the Jackets might go to Gaudreau, hat in hand, and attempt to convince him to consider a trade that can help his career and get the Blue Jackets more assets.
Sure, there’s a possibility the Jackets’ new management team can jump-start Columbus’ playoff aspirations and keep Gaudreau around, but take a good look at the Metropolitan Division and ask yourself – which teams are going to fall out of post-season contention and open up a playoff spot for Columbus to take next year?
The New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes are locks to make the playoffs. The Devils, New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins are going to be in that mix as well. And the Flyers and Washington Capitals intend to be improved teams. That leaves precious little room for the Blue Jackets to leapfrog over and turn themselves into a playoff team in 2024-25.
At this time next year, we’ll likely be having the same sad conversation about Columbus. And that would be three straight wasted seasons of Gaudreau’s service.
Shouldn’t every naturally competitive player want to avoid that fate? Shouldn’t Gaudreau be looking at somewhere else on the East Coast where he can be close to family and friends and play for a legitimately above-average team?
To ask the question is to answer it: Gaudreau can engineer a trade to any team he wants to and free up valuable salary cap space the Blue Jackets can use to improve their defense and goaltending.
Columbus also may move its first-round draft pick in 2024 for more immediate help, but this Jackets team is hardly one or two players away from being bona fide playoff contenders. Gaudreau can’t do all the heavy lifting on his own, but being Columbus’ highest-paid player, he’s in a position where fans and media can’t help but lay much of the blame at his feet. He’s still a crafty and creative performer, but he’s not a generational talent, and if he does play elsewhere, the pressure on him to produce might not be as pronounced.
In any case, Gaudreau has to be aware that Columbus isn’t a good match for him – at least, not at this point in his career. Things might have been different if he had been drafted and developed by the Blue Jackets. But now? Nope.
From the team’s and player’s perspectives, the Blue Jackets are at a fork in the road with Gaudreau. Trading him could bring back a nice haul of younger players and prospects, and that’s what the Jackets need more than anything.
It seemed like a good idea at the time to bring him in, but those days seem like forever ago. The status quo isn’t the ideal solution, and now it’s a matter of cutting their losses with an investment that went sideways.
Gaudreau’s days in Columbus should be numbered, and if carried out properly, it could pay dividends for the Jackets and Gaudreau himself.
Source : thehockeynews.com
