[sureLoss]

Sorry to add to the off topic Gaudreau talk, but technically he did not burn an ELC year from a Flames perspective.

Gaudreau being 21 yeas old as of September 15, 2014 meant he had to sign a 3 year ELC per the CBA.

If he had waited till next year to sign, as a 22 year old as of September 15, 2015 would mean he would have signed a 2 year ELC per the CBA.

So regardless if he signed in 2014 or 2015, his ELC would still have ended after the 2015-2016 season (assuming he would burn 1 year of the 2 year ELC like he did this year). He just got a year's signing bonus + salary for 1 NHL game in terms of advantages to signing this year.