On the opening day of NHL free agency on Wednesday, star forward Johnny Gaudreau caught the hockey world off guard when he forewent expectations and signed a seven-year, $68.25-million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
While Gaudreau had informed the Calgary Flames he would test free agency, his choice to join the Blue Jackets has angered many fans in Alberta and prompted CBC Calgary news anchor Andrew Brown to send a message to Gaudreau on live television when closing the broadcast on Thursday night.
“And that’s the news for now, I’ll be back here at 11, unless a news station in Columbus offers me way less money… and I’ll probably go do that.