Devils GM reportedly was convinced Gaudreau would sign with New Jersey this offseason
The Columbus Blue Jackets ended up winning the Johnny Gaudreau sweepstakes after he chose them over teams including the New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, and New Jersey Devils. ESPN's Greg Wyshynski decided to ask the question of whether or not Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald believed that Gaudreau would become a Devil or not this summer.
"Yeah, I would say that. I thought because of the conversation that I had with him and his wife, Meredith, that we really connected. I know Johnny Gaudreau. My older boy played with him at Boston College. That same son was his brother's roommate for all four years. I know his mom and dad well. I felt that we were going to be a destination for him. But I'm guessing for were other teams that were in on him. We put our best foot forward. He chose to go to Columbus for the reasons he chose. We wish him all the best."
Seeing him on a line with Jack Hughes would have been great for the game of hockey, but maybe he can help rejuvenate Patrick Laine's game in Columbus. It will be interesting to see just how far Gaudreau can push the Blue Jackets into contention.
I asked @NJDevils GM Tom Fitzgerald if there were times on Wednesday when he was convinced that Johnny Gaudreau would become a Devil. pic.twitter.com/kludXbpznk� Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) July 15, 2022
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