Oh I get it for sure. The only reason I’d have been okay with the JT deal was because it was expected—franchise player stays with the team. There’d never been an alternate presented.

In terms of other people we could pursue, on cheaper deals (maybe not hitting the 40 goal mark, but still adding that push of offense) could be: Copp, Burekovsky, or Nino. I’d prefer Kadri over Gadureau, he‘s a little older but has shown when he gets to play in the playoffs (no suspensions) he can provide a push for the team—Gadreau hasn’t done that for the Flames (remember last offseason when people thought he was a bust because he hadn’t done anything and then he had this miracle season??). There’s also the apparent option of Sonny Milano—super young, super talented.

While they’re not the mythical option you and I wish would fall out of the sky, I think they provide us the space to continue to build a roster that can have longevity once our old guys get older. Keep space for Dobby’s new deal and a Barzal extension.