The Calgary Flames biggest priority this offseason was to resign their two star players, forwards Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau..Less than a week ago, Gaudreau left for the Columbus Blue Jackets for less money than the Flames offered..Hockey pundit and former Flames player Mike Commodore stated Gaudreau and his family were sick of “endless lockdowns, restrictions, mandates, vax passport, and curfews.”.The Flames only players over 100 points last season were Gaudreau and Tkachuk..Gaudreau had 115 points with 40 goals and Tkachuk had 104 points with 42 goals..Star players leaving Canadian teams are expected to increase, according to many NHL insiders and analysts..The reason players are leaving is the constant uncertainty of the COVID-19 government mandates and regulations..Tkachuk decided not to pursue arbitration, however, the Flames used their option to head to arbitration..“The Flames have filed for club-elected salary arbitration with Matthew Tkachuk. This provides us the opportunity to continue to work with his representatives towards a contractual resolution while removing the possibility of an offer sheet,” said the Flames on their Twitter account..Tkachuk, a restricted free agent, turned down a one-year $9 million offer and a long-term contract with the terms not disclosed to the public..The Flames General Manager, Brad Treliving, wants to do a long-term deal with Tkachuk, but going to arbitration opens the door for a trade, which could bring a different star player to Calgary..It's not a good sign the Flames and Tkachuk needed to go to arbitration as it means they are far apart on compensation. .Sportsnet Flames insider Eric Francis said Tkachuk’s “days in Calgary are over.”.“Less than a week after losing Johnny Gaudreau, the team now very much appears on the brink of having to part with Matthew Tkachuk,” wrote Francis..“That’s the most reasonable way to interpret news late Monday the Flames filed to take Tkachuk to salary arbitration. In all likelihood, Tkachuk has indicated to the Flames what many have feared for years — he isn’t interested in extending his stay in Calgary.”.The Flames are not the only team that should be worried about their star players leaving Canada..Austin Matthews with the Toronto Maple Leafs becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2024 and Vancouver Canucks forward JT Miller wants to move to an American team, possibly for next season..NHL players leaving the Canadian teams because of how the federal and provincial governments handled the COVID-19 pandemic is speculation, but it affects how the players and their families can live their lives if players have a chance to live in Florida with no restrictions or Canada where mandates could come back at any moment..There is no way that does not affect decisions on where to lace up the skates for the upcoming NHL season.
