Iirc he did say he wanted to be closer to home. Rings a bit hollow now, no?
I'm not sure what would be considered hollow about it. He wanted to play at home in front of his friends and family. He got to do that for a full season (and represent his country at the Olympics for the last time). He never said he wanted to stay there forever.
It is also completely reasonable for someone to try something for a year and then to make a different decision a year later.
Especially since it was just coming out of the heart of the Covid lockdown and now the US is basically back to normal (my opinions and feelings about that notwithstanding). This and the Bergeron contract look like one last kick at the
can Cup and was probably something they discussed at Tuukka Rask's wedding recently.