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Calgary Flames: Where Is Johnny Gaudreau’s Contract?

By Ramina Shlah

Mar 9, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) controls the puck during the warmup period against the Nashville Predators at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) controls the puck during the warmup period against the Nashville Predators at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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As days go by and we inch closer to the season opener, everyone is asking the same question: Where on earth is Johnny Gaudreau’s contract?

The season starts in just a few days and Calgary Flames fans are getting more and more anxious everyday that Johnny Gaudreau doesn’t have a contract. Gaudreau, after being drafted 104th overall in the 2011 NHL Draft, finished 7th overall for points last season. Gaudreau currently has the most points-per-game of all players in his draft year with 0.89. He surpasses first and second overall picks for that year, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Gabriel Landeskog, who each sit at 0.71 and 0.69 points-per-game respectively. NHL.com did a re-draft of the 2011 NHL draft ranking Johnny Hockey for first overall pick. I’d say that’s a pretty big jump from 104th overall to first. Good job kid.

So we’ve got to ask the question to the Calgary Flames: What’s the hold up?

First Problem: $$$

According to multiple different sources, Gaudreau’s agent, Lewis Gross, is asking for $8 million. This was a problem for the Flames because there was supposedly a $1.5 million salary gap between what the Flames could afford and what Johnny was asking for. However according to NHL numbers, the Flames could actually afford $8 million for Gaudreau and still be able to float bodies between the Flames’ AHL team The Stockton Heat and Calgary. But this raises another issue. The Flames were trying to avoid paying him more than Flames captain, Mark Giordano, who has a salary of $6.75 million.

Related Story: Calgary Flames Updates, September 2016

Now we need to look at another problem. As we saw, Gross is asking for $8 million, but the Calgary Flames don’t want to give Johnny $8 million. Right now. Gaudreau just turned 23 years old in August and isn’t even in his prime yet. He has only played 2 seasons in the NHL and he’s already one of the Flames’ top players. Just imagine what this kid is going to do in a couple of years when he gains that extra bit of experience he needs.

But that brings up another concern.

Second Problem: Still $$$

The Flames want him in a long-term contract, however they don’t want to give him that $8 million right now when he’s still not at his prime. But say in a couple of years when Gaudreau will be 25 and reaching that prime, he’ll be wanting and deserving of that $8 million. But the Flames of course aren’t going to  only give him a short 3-year contract then try to resign him in three years. Imagine a player like Johnny Hockey becoming a free agent at the ripe age of 26. I mean his nickname is Johnny Hockey for a reason.

Sep 21, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Team North America left winger Johnny Gaudreau (13) beats Team Sweden goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (30) to score in the first period during preliminary round play in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Team North America left winger Johnny Gaudreau (13) beats Team Sweden goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (30) to score in the first period during preliminary round play in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /

Johnny Gaudreau has said multiple times how he isn’t involved in any contract talks. He’s leaving everything up to his agent and what his agent thinks is best for him. So it might be safe to say that it’s not necessarily Gaudreau that’s asking for that $8 million. However, we can’t completely ignore the fact that he’s in talks with his agent daily.

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Yes, this kid has mentioned how he loves Calgary and wants to play here for a long time. And yes, the Flames have also mentioned how they will do anything to keep Gaudreau in Calgary for a long time. They realize how valuable he is to this franchise, especially right now when they are still in a rebuild. However, it is still a business and as much as Gaudreau claims he loves to be here, this is all still a business. He’s a pro-athlete and of course he’s going to want the most amount of money as possible.

Gulutzan Is Having Déjà Vu

Calgary Flames new head coach, Glen Gulutzan, has seen this before. Back when he was a coach for the Dallas Stars in the 2012-2013 season, forward Jamie Benn was a restricted free agent coming off of an entry level contract. Him and  Stars’ boss, Joe Nieuwendyk, could not come to terms, and Benn ended up being a no show for camp. As a result, Benn was required to miss that opening week for the team, and they went 2-2-1. They finished the season going 22-22-4 (lockout year) and didn’t make playoffs.

I can’t help but think of the 2014-2015 season for the Flames. We ended up making playoffs by just barely clinching a spot in the second last game of the regular season against the LA Kings. If Flames ended up losing that game in regulation and the Kings won, who knows what would have happened. Or maybe they lost just one other game in the season. That’s why I can’t help but think of that. If Gaudreau doesn’t play the first week, could that ultimately decide how our season will turn out?

Next: Battle of Alberta: Reviving A Dead Rivalry

There are too many what-ifs. All we know and need is that Gaudreau gets signed like. Three weeks ago. So all we can hope for is that the Flames sign Gaudreau soon.

Really soon.

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