Johnny Gaudreau Finished in Calgary

The Calgary Flames did everything in their power to keep superstar Johnny Gaudreau, in the end, family came first. Gaudreau informed the Flames of his very tough decision and hits the market as the best free-agent forward available.

Flames general manager Brad Treliving offered Gaudreau a maximum eight-year extension at $10 million per season, meanwhile it wasn't the money at all that's at hand here. Gaudreau will do what's best for the ones close. 

Look for the New Jersey Devils to come in with a huge offer, same goes for the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Islanders. Adding a 115-point winger for the next seven seasons helps any team.

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 highest-paid player in Calgary franchise history, but among richest in #NHL.

If Gaudreau walks, it likely won't be because of money.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) July 12, 2022

Flames GM Brad Treliving on media call says it's a disappointing day. Say Flames did all they could to re-sign Gaudreau. They had an emotional discussion.
``We did everything possible to keep John here,'' Treliving said, adding he feels it was a family decision which he respects.

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 13, 2022

Hard not to forget when Darryl Sutter called out Gaudreau during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and how much easier it made the decision to leave. Gaudreau goes down as one of the all-time great Flames and will receive a huge ovation the first time he returns. An emotional day in Calgary as management moves on without Johnny Hockey; cue the message board.

"Guys gotta put it away. That's their job."

Darryl Sutter, referring to Johnny Gaudreau's late-game breakaway the Jake Oettinger stopped. pic.twitter.com/acmKZiX3zW

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 8, 2022

Photo credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports