Eight year, $80-million-plus deal may not be enough to keep Johnny Gaudreau with the Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames have put an offer on the table: eight years, $80-million.
This according to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, who reported Tuesday that the deal might not be enough to entice the Flames’ franchise player to stay in Cowtown.
My sense is #Flames have put an offer on the table for Johnny Gaudreau – north of $10 mil x 8 years – that would make him not only highest-paid player in Calgary franchise history, but among richest in #NHL.
If Gaudreau walks, it likely won't be because of money.
Simply put, Gaudreau has been one of the best to ever do it for the Calgary Flames and as Seravalli noted above, money might not be enough for the player to want to stay. The 28-year-old has played his whole career in Calgary, overachieving based on his status as an undersized, fourth-round draft pick.
All he’s done throughout his career is produce points and this past year was his best. He played in all 82 games in the regular season scoring career highs in goals (40), assists (75) and points (115).
The market would be robust for Gaudreau if he were to hit free agency. Teams like the Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders are all possible destinations, Seravalli reported Tuesday.
A native of Salem, New Jersey, Gaudreau could considering a homecoming, with the Flyers being his true hometown team since he’s a South Jersey native. Calgary’s off-season plans have been held in limbo as the team waits to see what Gaudreau’s decision will be.
Gaudreau’s potential could have a major trickle-down effect on the rest of the roster, too. Would Matthew Tkachuk ask for a trade if his star linemate leaves? Could the Flames become players for any of the other high-end offensive free agents?
We’ll know sooner rather than later, as at 11:59 p.m. ET, the Flames lose the ability to sign Gaudreau to an eight-year deal.
Nevertheless, the Flames could very well be on the brink of a rebuild.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.