i was expecting holtz or nemec this is just insulting

Johnny had his choice between NI and CBJ, and he took less money to come to Columbus. There’s no rescue involved here. He already rescued himself.

We know Johnny wanted to be here, and Fitzy ghosting him was probably not the most professional move. But NJD was never the place for him. We could have signed him last summer, but opted against it. We would not add assets now for him now.

I would recommend Calgary.

The Devils offered $9m early on, thinking they were raising the price on NYI and PHI. But our GM never called his agent back afterwards. Once Gaudreau had decided NJ, they couldn’t get ahold of Fitzgerald. Then Columbus jumped in with $9.75m and he chose that. (He told the story of that day in a couple interviews later on).

Neither are really available for trade. When Holtz’s name came up in Meier trade talks, our GM’s response was “if Holtz, it’s just Holtz”. Sharks opted for the package deal. He made the Nemec pick (#2 last year) available for one guy last year, Tkachuk, but at the time (before the draft), Calgary was still trying to re-sign him. Once news came that Tkachuk wanted out, Devils weren’t on his list of teams, so didn’t make another offer.

Please move on, Devils fans. This isn't healthy. This is like being obsessed with a girl who briefly flirted with you at a bar and then married someone else. Seek therapy.

Devils offered over 10 million and fitz thought he had a deal when last second the jackets called and Johnny went there. Fitz said it himself. This is delusional. Like when a dude gets rejected by a girl and then calls her names and says he didn’t like her anyways

I believe you are mixing up the Flames last offer and the Devils last offer. The Devils bid a lot less than Columbus (Lebrun). We were offering 'just over $9m' so around $9.1m. Flames had offered $10.5m.

On UFA Day Fitzgerald spoke to Gaudreau at 12:15 and offered a number, just above $9m, but never sent a contract or called the agent back.

Gaudreau said later, "The day of, I was only really talking to two [teams]. I was pretty much signing with a different team [NJD]. I thought I was gonna get another call from these guys [NJD] and it was nothing like that at all. I was like, 'What’s going on here?' I’m super thankful that Columbus called during that late hour in the afternoon because I wanted to get a deal done with the Devils when Columbus called and I was like, 'Oh, I 'll go there,' and then my agent got it done and it was awesome."

It was reported later that Gaudreau really wanted to sign with Philadelphia, but an offer never came.
It was also said that Fitzgerald really just wanted to drive the price up on Philadelphia (and NY Islanders).

Both articles you linked said the devils were still trying to get a deal done when they heard he signed with the jackets. Idk why this is such a sore spot with devils fans. He signed with another team who cares? The devils will be good without him

Sore spot?! Not a sore spot at all. Half of Devils fans didn’t want him then. All are happy now we didn’t since we have made subsequent moves that will likely be more helpful to team.

I think some with an ax to grind have been peddling this story that Fitzgerald was fixated on Gaudreau, offered him more than Columbus, and lost when JG went elsewhere. Truth is, NJ put in their offer. Said take it or leave it. And Columbus came in with more $$ and got the player. Good for Gaudreau. Good for Columbus. Good for New Jersey. Everyone is happy.

Revisionist history. I understand it hurts and you’re just trying to feel better, but that is not the story he told.

It doesn’t hurt at all as I never wanted to sign him in the first place (I was pretty consistent here about that).

And that is the story that he told, many members of the media told and our GM told…not sure which part you are refuting.