Wonder how Johnny Hockey feels about his decision...
Well, you asked....
'I love the team here': Johnny Gaudreau focused on positives in Columbus
Johnny Gaudreau was confused, if not amused. It was Saturday night in Long Island, and every time the Blue Jackets winger touched the puck, Islanders fans at UBS Arena booed him.
"I was talking to my coach after the third shift, and I was like, 'I don't get it,'" Gaudreau told ESPN. "I didn't talk to [the Islanders] once throughout the whole free agency."
Such is life for Gaudreau. It's been four months since the 29-year-old signed a seven-year, $68.2 million deal with Columbus -- turning down the Calgary Flames, his team for the previous nine years, and several other organizations, whether their interest was real or perceived.
And the hockey world is still obsessed with it.
It's in part because the Gaudreau-Columbus marriage seemingly came out of nowhere. The other part? It's rare to see moves like this in the NHL.
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Columbus (4-9-1) has stumbled out of the gate, hampered by a brutal series of injuries. But Gaudreau -- who has 12 points in his first 14 games, including all six of his goals at home -- focuses on positivity.
Choosing Columbus was inherently about what was best for Gaudreau the person. And even if his tone has shifted a bit one month into the season -- settling into the team's current reality -- his free agency decision was always a long play.
"I'm here for the long run," Gaudreau said. "I obviously want to make the playoffs this year but if it doesn't happen yet, you have to learn from those things. I'm not putting it past our team to get out of this funk, but I also know whatever happens, we have a lot to look forward to."
Entire article:
https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/35025563/johnny-gaudreau-focused-positives-columbus
