Franchise-level players that *didn't* surprise you when they left as UFA?

[Oilslick941611]

Gretzky.

When he left the uniform behind I never watched another game to watch him.

you mean when he left St Louis?

 

[I Hate Blake Coleman]

Gaudreau and Tkachuk.

That offense was carried by one line. The defense and goaltending weren't contender level.

They both should've been traded by the deadline before the playoffs.

 

[Adam da bomb]

Gretzky.

When he left the uniform behind I never watched another game to watch him.

Left which team?

 

[Brodeur]

I was hoping Zach Parise was going stay long term in New Jersey. I let myself get overly optimistic when he showed up for the 2011 Draft as a sign that he was interested in the Devils picks. But realistically the draft was in Minnesota, so it was an easy enough drive.

Bad sign was when he seemed to rebuff any long term offers and signed a 1 year deal prior to his arbitration hearing which walked him to free agency. The Devils named him captain for the season which seemed like a gesture that they wanted him around. New Jersey had a nice 2012 postseason run but Parise hit the market.

I vaguely recall there being rumblings that Parise/Suter were a package deal leading into free agency. It took three days for them to hash out a deal with Minnesota. I think Detroit was a desired spot but they couldn't make it work with the cap. Lou apparently kicked the tires but Suter had no interest in New Jersey. Minnesota made sense as Parise got married a few weeks after free agency and it was a bonus to be closer to family when he had kids of his own.