Flames finally re-sign star winger to six-year extension
THANKFUL IN CALGARY: Gaudreau will be in lineup for season opener in Edmonton
CALGARY — Happy Thanksgiving, Flames fans: Johnny Gaudreau is signed, sealed and skedaddling to Alberta.
The Calgary Flames announced, finally, on holiday Monday, that they have signed the star left-winger to a six-year extension, ending his contract standoff with the club.
Gaudreau will be in the lineup for Wednesday’s season opener against the Oilers at the new Rogers Place in Edmonton.
“Obviously, it’s an exciting, exciting day for us,” Flames GM Brad Treliving said. “This kid is a special player. He’s a special talent. We are aware of it in Calgary and if they weren’t before, the entire hockey world knows how good of a hockey player he is when you see what he did in the World Cup.
“Any time you can get a longterm deal done with a big, big core piece of your team, it’s a good day. It’s almost ironic it falls on Thanksgiving Day. It’s good news. Great news.”
Gaudreau’s new pact with the Flames reportedly carries an average salary cap hit of US$6.75 million per season, a nice chunk of change but not exactly a ransom for a guy who finished in a tie for sixth in the NHL’s scoring race as a sophomore. His initial ask was believed to be in the neighbourhood of US$8 million per campaign.
“As I have always said, I just want to play hockey,” Gaudreau said in a message posted to Twitter. “I want to be there for my teammates and for the fans of Calgary. I want to thank my family and my agent for all their support during this process. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Gaudreau was the offensive go-to guy for the Flames last winter, racking up 30 goals and 78 points in 79 contests.
He missed all of training camp in Calgary due to his contract stalemate, but did skate for Team North America at the World Cup of Hockey, potting a pair of goals and adding two assists in three outings at the international showdown.
He won’t have to worry about his next contract negotiation until after the 2021-22 season.
“He is ecstatic to get it done,” Treliving said. “Our preference and our desire the whole way was to get him signed for term. And Johnny’s, too. He loves it here. This gives him obviously financial security. Now, he digs in, has roots and helps build this team into a team that we all want it to be — a team that wins.
“Both sides were very consistent in wanting to do term. It was just finding numbers and a length that fit, and we finally got there.”
“Any time you can get a long-term deal done with a big, big core piece of your team, it’s a good day. It’s almost ironic it falls on Thanksgiving Day.” — Flames GM Brad Treliving