[sureLoss]

https://www.nhl.com/news/johnny-gaud...?tid=277548856

"I think we have three great years ahead of us," Gaudreau said from the Commonwealth Avenue Charity Classic Hockey game at Boston University last Friday. "I'm really looking forward to these next three years."

Gaudreau, who represented Boston College, his alma mater, at the charity game last week, put the opening at three years because the majority of Calgary's core players are signed for the next 2-4 seasons, including defensemen Travis Hamonic and Michael Stone.

Hamonic, acquired from the New York Islanders on June 24, has three years left on his contract. Stone signed a three-year contract with the Flames on June 30. Defenseman TJ Brodie and forwards Michael Frolik and Troy Brouwer have three years left on their contracts.

"When you look at a lot of the contracts on our team, a lot of them end in two or three years so that's a window and we can do something pretty great," Gaudreau said. "Who knows, if we do something great in the next three years, maybe guys will want to keep playing with us, keep playing in Calgary and we can keep going. I think it's a great direction."

Gaudreau's optimism comes from Calgary's somewhat surprising success last season, considering expectations under then first-year coach Glen Gulutzan and the additions general manager Brad Treliving made this offseason.