** Update: As per Frank Seravalli, Gaudreau has informed the Flames that he won’t be signing there. Seravalli writes:
Johnny Gaudreau informed the #Flames he will not be returning to Calgary. Emotional conversation for both sides, as the Flames rolled out the red carpet to keep him. A massive offer was presented, as we reported, but this wasn’t about money.
The Calgary Flames are doing their best to keep Johnny Gaudreau a part of their roster for the long haul. The forward is just hours away from testing free agency and while he said he’s open to coming back to Calgary on a long-term deal, it seems clear he wants to see what’s out there for him and many believe he’ll head back east and sign with a team like the Philadelphia Flyers or New Jersey Devils. But, the Flames are putting up a fight.
According to Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, Calgary has made one final run at the dynamic winger before he takes a look at offers from other teams. Seravalli writes, “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 the highest-paid player in Calgary franchise history but among richest in #NHL.” He adds, “If Gaudreau walks, it likely won’t be because of money.”
That’s the multi-million dollar question. Is Gaudreau likely leaving because of the money? Or, does he so badly want to play in a different city that he’s willing to leave $10 to $20 million on the table. Remember, the Flames are the only team that can offer Gaudreau that extra year. All other teams can only give him a seven-year extension, and that’s a big deal for a player who is 28 years old and will be 35 when that seven-year deal expires. This could be the last contract he signs depending on how productive he is as his career winds down.
Calgary stayed positive for a long time that they could get a deal done with the player. They have to be feeling less-than-positive now, assuming Gaudreau turns this down. And, if he ends up in a city like Seattle instead of going back east, that’s really an issue for the Flames who thought he’d be a Flame for years to come. And, if GM Brad Treliving doesn’t find a replacement in the event Gaudreau bolts, Matthew Tkachuk might not be far behind. Then what? Do the Flames start to get desperate? Or, do they tear it down and start again?
Next: Mackenzie Weegar Trade Watch Officially On Out of Florida
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