On the Calgary Flames and Johnny Gaudreau …
Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet: Johnny Gaudreau’s agent, Lewis Gross, said that they are not asking for a trade from the Calgary Flames.
“We have no intention of asking for a trade at this time,” he replied. “He wants to stay in Calgary.”
Talks have been quiet between the Flames and Gaudreau’s camp the past few weeks.
“Our last conversation with the Flames was on Sept. 9,” he said. “We were told we’d get a call in two days. It hasn’t happened. Next Friday will be a month.”
Flames GM Brad Treliving said they won’t be negotiating in the media.
“We’re not going to negotiate this publicly. We’ve said several times that we are optimistic this is going to get done. We want Johnny here.”
Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun: GM Treliving won’t have Gaudreau’s contract negotiations played out in the media. Aside for getting a contract done, they need to get it done with ‘no hard feelings’ on either side. Gross’s comments yesterday didn’t help the situation by trying to put it back on the Flames.
Having no contract talks in the past three weeks shows the Flames aren’t interested in the idea that a RFA is worth close to $8 million a season, which Gaudreau is asking for. You can’t blame him for wanting it, but a player out of an entry-level deal with two years experience and no rights, can’t expect to get more than $7 million a season.
Gaudreau not having a contract could also be holding the Flames up in adding some additional depth to the organization, possibly defenseman Kris Russell.
Gaudreau may deserve more than Sean Monahan’s $6.35 million, but not much more than Mark Giordano’s $6.75 million.