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3 potential landing destinations for Calgary Flames Johnny Gaudreau

By Nathan Bannerman

Feb 20, 2019; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; New York Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss (1) makes a save as Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) tries to score during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2019; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; New York Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss (1) makes a save as Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) tries to score during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Calgary Flames, Johnny Gaudreau
Oct 15, 2019; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) battles for the puck with Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Justin Braun (61) during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Flames won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: Could the Flyers swoop in and take Gaudreau?

Almost every athlete will tell you they want to play some part of their career at or close to home. Johnny Gaudreau is no different.

"“It would be sweet to play here (Philadelphia) some day – you never know in sports – a lot of support back here in South Jersey and the Philly area, they follow me pretty well.” -Johnny Gaudreau From Daily Hive’s Rob Williams in 2017."

Wouldn’t you love to play in a place that watched you grow up? Who helped you develop the skills you needed to make it this far? Most likely, yes.

One of the issues for the Flyers is their lack of cap space. They’re sitting with just over $5 million. But they could also want a sign and trade with Calgary. They have nine draft picks in 2023 and could offload a contract like Travis Sanheim who has one year left on his contract. Sanheim also played for the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen, so he’s already familiar with the area.

Philadelphia finished the 2021-22 season with a dismal 25-46-11 season. It parked them in the bottom four of the NHL and will be selecting fifth in the 2022 NHL Draft. This pick could be sent to Calgary.

The Flyers finished with 210 goals scored, while the league average was 255. Adding a proven 40-goal scorer would boost and solve one dire need. It certainly wouldn’t solve all Philly’s problems, but it would help.

Keep an eye on Philadelphia this offseason to see if they clear cap space before the draft or free agency.

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