Calgary Flames and Johnny Gaudreau extend contract

The Calgary Flames and Johnny Gaudreau have entered into contract negotiations, Sportsnet Elliotte Friedman reported on Friday.

According to Friedman, Gaudreau appears to be on the verge of getting an increase from the cap of $ 6.75 million he has achieved in the past five years.

Calgary has entered into extension talks with Johnny Gaudreau. That’s purely my guess, but the Flames probably have to jump over Matthew Tkachuk’s $ 7 million a season. It’s $ 6.75 million now.

Gaudreau, 27, is entering the final year of his six-year contract which he signed after his entry-level contract. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2011 draft, Gaudreau played 520 games in the NHL, scoring 170 goals and 494 points.

Last year, he scored 19 goals and 49 points in 56 games as the Flames failed to advance to the playoffs.

According to Athleticism Hailey Salvian, she understands that « there were no serious negotiations between the Flames and the Gaudreau camp ».

It’s widely believed that if the Flames feel they can’t reconcile with Gaudreau on a new deal, they should trade it before being handcuffed for player protection. Sure, the Flames could stick with the status quo and let Gaudreau play his final year, but then they run the risk of losing him for nothing in free agency in the summer of 2022.

Zach Laing is Chief News Officer and Senior Columnist for the Nation Network. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or contactable by email at [email protected]