Fans were already buying jerseys and making them Gaudreau jerseys in June, but free agency opened and there was a problem, and that problem was that the Flyers had no cap space to sign Gaudreau.
Gaudreau ended up shocking the hockey world and signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets instead. Fans were not happy with this decision and they knew that Gaudreau's first choice was the Flyers, and this turned into anger towards Flyers General Manager Chuck Fletcher who didn't even offer Gaudreau a contract.
Since then, Flyers fans have been completely against Fletcher and want him gone in Philadelphia. As of right now the Flyers are $2.5 million over the salary cap and already need to shed some salary to get below the limit before the season.
They've been working on a trade for James Vans Riemsdyk to get his $7 million cap hit off the books, but even offering him for free has not worked for the Flyers. It's easy to see why the fans are upset.
Johnny Gaudreau was playing in a charity game at the Flyers practice facility this past weekend and a Flyers fan decided to bring a homemade sign (see below).
.@mossgoalie1 got Johnny Gaudreau to sign his «Fire Chuck Fletcher» sign pic.twitter.com/rhZ3L4rXiD� Travis Ballinghoff (@travieballin26) August 14, 2022
This fan asked Gaudreau to sign it, and he did without hesitation. This definitely shows you how Gaudreau felt about not even being offered a chance to play for the Flyers.
POLL | ||
Should the Flyers have signed Gaudreau? | ||
yes | 189 | 56.6 % |
no | 145 | 43.4 % |
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