Are we getting closer to a Johnny Gaudreau signing?
By Ryan Pike
7 years agoThe last time there was a significant update on the contract negotiations between the Calgary Flames and 23-year-old restricted free agent Johnny Gaudreau, it was that a deal wasn’t close and that the team and player were roughly $1.5 million apart.
But there has been a ton of chatter over the last two days which seems to point towards a looming reconciliation between the club and its leading scorer… and a shiny new contract.
First up? Gaudreau’s running buddy and center, Sean Monahan, on Sunday morning:
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, appearing on Sportsnet 960 The Fan on Monday following his article that quoted Gaudreau agent Lewis Gross stating that the Flames hadn’t talked to him in a month, ended his 20+ minute summary of the situation with a bit of a hopeful tone.
“I think Sean Monahan’s right. I think this gets done. I think both sides move and this gets done. I’m really curious, the one thing I’ve tried to ask people is what’s the number. What’s the real number here? And I can’t pin that down. I think Calgary wants it to start with a six, I think Gaudreau wants it to start with a seven, but at the end of the day, where is that? Is it 6.9? Is it 7.2? A lot of these I can look at this and say I kinda know what the numbers’ going to be. I’m not sure in this one where it is gonna be.”
Friedman also noted that he didn’t believe there was an appetite for a bridge deal.
TSN’s Darren Dreger, appearing on TSN Radio 1050 in Toronto earlier today:
“Inching closer to a deal, David. I’m not going to say that it’s
imminent. The timing of this is predictable, of course, it’s less about
the preseason and more about being in the lineup for the regular season.
This is a delicate one, it has been throughout this negotiation. I’m
sure Calgary would have preferred to get him at under seven million
dollars per year on an extension, a lengthy extension: I think it’s
going to be seven plus. But it sounds like it’s gonna happen within
days.”
The Flames have two preseason games remaining: Wednesday at home against Arizona and Thursday on the road in Vancouver. After that, they lock down their opening night roster on Tuesday and begin the 2016-17 season on Wednesday in Edmonton. Based on the chatter, it sure is beginning to sound like Gaudreau could be in their lineup when they hit the ice at Rogers Place.
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