Derek Leung/Getty Photos
Calgary Flames left flit Johnny Gaudreau plans to test the free-agent market, popular manager Brad Trevliving informed reporters Tuesday.
Calgary Flames @NHLFlames
#Flames GM Brad Treliving is talking with the media this evening concerning Johnny Gaudreau’s set aside:
“Johnny Gaudreau is going to hit free agency, test the market … it’s a disappointing day to sing the very least.”
Frank Seravalli of Day-to-day Faceoff offered further details:
Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
Johnny Gaudreau informed the #Flames he’s maybe no longer returning to Calgary. Emotional conversation for either side, because the Flames rolled out the red carpet to retain him.
A extensive provide used to be presented, as we reported, but this wasn’t about money.
Eric Duhatschek of The Athletic reported that the Flames tried to signal Gaudreau, 28, to an eight-365 days contract extension. Calgary reportedly posted an initial provide of $76 million sooner than upping the ante to over $10 million per season. Seravalli reported the equivalent.
Frank Seravalli @frank_seravalli
My sense is #Flames hold assign a advice on the table for Johnny Gaudreau – north of $10 mil x 8 years – that might maybe maybe invent him no longer handiest very best-paid player in Calgary franchise historical past, but amongst richest in #NHL.
If Gaudreau walks, it seemingly is maybe no longer due to of money.
Alternatively, he will now officially change actual into a free agent on Wednesday at noon ET. Gaudreau can quiet hypothetically return to the Flames, but he would no longer be ready to ink an eight-365 days deal except he re-signs with the crew sooner than the free-agency closing date.
Per Pierre LeBrun of TSN, Gaudreau is coming off a six-365 days, $40.5 million contract. The Flames selected the ragged Boston College important particular person with a fourth-spherical draft secure in 2011.
Gaudreau’s 115 aspects (40 needs, 75 assists) used to be tied for 2d in the NHL final 365 days with the Florida Panthers’ Jonathan Huberdeau.
Treliving elaborated on why he believed Gaudreau made the choice to test free agency:
“I will be succesful to divulge our fans that we have done all the pieces capacity to retain John in Calgary … I desire to desire him and his family the very, very handiest. He gave us eight necessary years right here.
“It’s my right perception that this used to be a family decision and I admire that fully. John has every ultimate and we have nothing but admire for John the player and John the particular person.
“I firmly mediate there’s nothing extra we might maybe furthermore hold done. We admire it … I suspect this used to be an valid arduous decision for John … I suspect everybody operated with the coolest intentions.”
That used to be confirmed by Gaudreau’s agent, Lewis Corrupt:
Elliotte Friedman @FriedgeHNIC
Gaudreau agent Lewis Corrupt: “The Flames did all the pieces they might maybe maybe. This came down to a family decision.”
Darren Dreger of TSN commented on the matter:
Darren Dreger @DarrenDreger
Family always comes first. That applies to classy negotiations and player choices. Indubitably right here’s a extraordinarily sophisticated trip for every Gaudreau and the Flames.
Gaudreau used to be born and raised in Southern Sleek Jersey. Unsurprisingly, Duhatschek reported that the Philadelphia Flyers, Sleek Jersey Devils and Sleek York Islanders are opinion to be the foremost suitors for him.
And with that, Gaudreau joins a loaded free-agent class of 2022 that also consists of Colorado Avalanche heart Nazem Kadri, Dallas Stars defenseman John Klingberg and Sleek York Rangers flit Andrew Copp, amongst others.
