Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
All I know is this season is going perfectly for Gaudreau. He's playing himself into the top UFA player in free agency. He's going to cash in and I wouldn't be surprised if a team like the Islanders that lacks elite forward offers him a deal in the area of what Panarin got. I don't know what happened between his agent and Treliving this summer but the cost to secure Gaudreau long term is going to be a lot higher at the end of the season than it was in the offseason. I don't know what Treliving has planned but it's not looking good for the Flames who really have no leverage anymore.
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I don't think Brad had any plans if Gaudreau was able to get into his final year without a contract, and he was likely trying everything before the season started with Gaudreau's camp sitting pretty and waiting. You're right that this is now an elite UFA upping his value with each passing game.
He will be coveted by all the top teams that can fit him in and will likely be in the Panarin range. Zero reason for him to give anything to the Flames now, he will be on the UFA offer tour and will get some great ones out east.