Darryl Sutter Explains Why Tkachuk and Gaudreau Left Flames

Darryl Sutter’s comments on Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau have shed new light on the Calgary Flames’ dramatic 2022 offseason, when the franchise lost two of its biggest American stars.

Tkachuk and Gaudreau both departed Calgary during the same offseason, leaving the Flames facing a significant change to their roster. Speaking on the Cam & Strick podcast, former Flames head coach Sutter reflected on the circumstances surrounding their exits and suggested that management should have recognized the possibility earlier.

Darryl Sutter says Flames should have seen departures coming

Sutter explained that both players were American and believed they had become increasingly isolated while playing in Canada, particularly during the pandemic period.

“You know those American kids. They were basically stranded in Canada. Nobody could come and see them. They couldn’t go out. Like friggin’ Matthew — he’d beat me to the rink in the mornings and stay there all day. There was nothing to go on to. I felt so sorry for those kids, and the writing was on the wall.”

According to Sutter, the circumstances surrounding the players’ lives away from hockey were an important factor in understanding why they eventually decided to move elsewhere.

He believed the Flames’ management should have recognized the situation before the offseason arrived rather than being surprised when both players ultimately moved on.

“Canada was not their thing”

Sutter emphasized that he did not believe Tkachuk and Gaudreau left because they disliked Calgary or their teammates. Instead, he felt their decisions were primarily influenced by their desire to return closer to home.

“[Calgary] Management should have known right away that those kids weren’t coming back. That shouldn’t have been a surprise in July. They were both on expiring contracts and Canada was not their thing. They didn’t leave because they didn’t like Calgary or the team. They wanted to go back home, and I didn’t blame them.”

The comments provide Sutter’s perspective on one of the most significant roster changes in recent Flames history.

Johnny Gaudreau leaves Calgary for Columbus

Johnny Gaudreau ultimately left Calgary as an unrestricted free agent and signed with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Gaudreau had spent his entire NHL career with the Flames before making the move. His departure represented a major blow to Calgary because he had established himself as one of the team’s most productive and recognizable players.

His decision also demonstrated how difficult it can be for NHL franchises to retain star players when personal and geographical considerations become important factors in free agency.

Matthew Tkachuk moves to Florida

Matthew Tkachuk’s departure unfolded differently. The forward made it clear that he was not prepared to sign a long-term contract with Calgary, leading the Flames to trade him to the Florida Panthers.

The trade eventually became one of the defining transactions of the 2022 NHL offseason.

Tkachuk quickly established himself as an important player in Florida and continued to develop his reputation as one of the league’s most influential forwards.

Two major departures changed the Flames

Losing Gaudreau and Tkachuk during the same offseason forced Calgary to rethink its roster and direction.

Both players had played major roles for the franchise, meaning their departures created significant holes in the lineup. The Flames had to respond through trades, free agency and internal development.

For Sutter, however, the departures were not necessarily difficult to understand. His comments suggest that the players’ personal circumstances were just as important as their professional situations.

Matthew Tkachuk and Brady react to Macklin Celebrini’s contract

Matthew Tkachuk has continued to remain closely connected to the wider NHL community, including through his relationship with his brother Brady Tkachuk.

The brothers recently discussed Macklin Celebrini’s new contract with the San Jose Sharks.

Celebrini agreed to a five-year, $94 million contract extension with an average annual value of $18.8 million, making him the league’s highest-paid player based on annual salary at the time of the deal.

Brady Tkachuk praised Celebrini’s new contract and suggested that the young star deserved the money he received.

“Macklin Celebrini, just shout out. Just give a round of applause. This contract, in my opinion, already undervalued. This guy deserves absolutely every cent.”

Matthew Tkachuk jokes about Celebrini’s signing bonus

Matthew Tkachuk focused on another eye-catching aspect of Celebrini’s agreement: the signing bonus.

“I think the craziest thing for me to see is the signing bonus and if that’s all coming on July 1st. Oh my God, that is going to be one hell of a party.”

The brothers’ reaction highlighted the scale of Celebrini’s contract and the growing financial expectations surrounding young NHL superstars.

The lasting impact of the 2022 Flames departures

The departures of Gaudreau and Tkachuk remain an important chapter in Calgary Flames history. Both players were entering important stages of their careers, and their decisions forced the franchise to make major changes.

Sutter’s latest comments add another perspective to that period. Rather than viewing the exits simply as hockey decisions, the former coach believes the players’ desire to return home played a significant role.

Ultimately, Gaudreau chose Columbus while Tkachuk found a new home in Florida. Their departures demonstrated that NHL players’ decisions can be shaped by factors extending far beyond contracts, team performance and on-ice ambitions.