The Calgary Flames had a stellar 2022 season, but the summer was one of nightmares with the departures of both Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau. Now, veteran Blake Coleman has revealed what went into the crazy summer that led to the teams current situation. For years, Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk starred for the Calgary Flames, and after winning the Pacific Division in 2021-22, it looked like they were set up to be major contenders moving forward. Unfortunately, the summer saw things unfold a little differently, with Coleman diving into the shock decision of Gaudreau to sign in Columbus. <q>«It's tough for me,» Coleman said. «I just signed a six-year deal. I wasn't expecting guys to jump and abandon ship, especially with how good we were that first year. We had a good team. I knew it was a possibility with the way Johnny hadn't signed throughout the year. I had heard rumblings of frustration with how things had been. The summer before, he wanted to extend and all these things, so I guess I knew it was a possibility. I think I always hoped that how good of a team we were and that window was going to be wide open for a while would keep them around.»</q> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/CamandStrick/status/1796223572786270287'> </a></blockquote></div> Obviously the move was a shock for everyone in Calgary, but especially Coleman, who believed he was signing with a contender when he landed with the Flames. Most already believe this, but Coleman confirmed his belief that if Gaudreau didn't depart as a free agent, the now Florida Panthers star would have remained with the Flames in a long-term capacity. <q>«I think if Johnny stays, I don't know if [Tkachuk] leaves. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm good buddies with both of those guys. I have a ton of respect and love for those guys. I wish they were still my teammates, but at the end of the day, I also get that you have to do what's best for you and your family, and that's what they did.»</q> It's impossible to 100% know what would have happened if Gaudreau had stayed, but given their lack of success since that point, it's safe to say that everyone in Calgary wishes that summer had gone very, very differently. Source: Hockey Feed <a href='https://www.hockeyfeed.com/nhl-news/truth-comes-out-on-matthew-tkachuk-as-flames-blake-coleman-opens-up-on-former-teammate?utm_source=facebook-post&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=hockey-feed&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0gWN69Q2Pq46NngJ5-v1OYUK9uvqdWXDuqyuF2Z9Mvbz0q3DQnPyZCFgs_aem_ATZWmrRJ5dfavSZ1JDs04NAsW8LM6GBFwJjKxkisuAkIyNtZw7osv-E2staIErQf9Zr5s8Oao4t-drs8FcymCgDV' class='lien_marqueur' target='_blank' rel='noopener'>Truth comes out on Matthew Tkachuk as Flames' Blake Coleman opens up on former teammate</a>