It was already juicy, but when Johnny Gaudreau bypassed what is believed to be an eight-year, $84-million offer from the Calgary Flames on Tuesday evening, he set the stage for what promises to be a wild Wednesday.
Will it be the Flyers, Islanders, Devils — or a mystery team for the South Jersey native? Point-per-game players almost never make it to market, let alone a 115-point play driver who finished second in league scoring last season like Johnny Hockey. Wherever he lands, he’s very likely to be leaving money on the table. But this decision wasn’t about money. It was about family.
The intrigue surrounding No. 1 marquee attraction Gaudreau is just one facet of the frenzy.
Everything is happening, including Evander Kane re-signing with the Edmonton Oilers overnight on Wednesday. Darcy Kuemper (Washington), Jack Campbell (Edmonton), Claude Giroux (Ottawa) and Andrew Copp (Detroit) are all believed to be spoken for before the market opens at 12 noon E.T. — though Jacob Markstrom moving to Calgary a few seasons back should remind us all that it’s never done until it’s done.
Silly season is here. There will be no shortage of dollars doled out and fortunes changed for franchises. Who’s available? Here is Daily Faceoff‘s final Top 75 Free Agents ranking:
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