Johnny Gaudreau has heard the whispers and wants to put the rumours to rest.
A Jersey boy who attended Boston College and spent all his life out east, it’s only natural people wondered if he’d cut short his time out west so he could play closer to home.
Instead of the eight-year, $60- to $64-million-type contract he’s likely staring at to stay with the Flames, perhaps he’d push more for a three or four year stint with an exit strategy.
Not so, says Johnny Hockey.
“I love it out here in Calgary and will be here for a lot of years to come — I don’t think that’s really a problem at all,” Gaudreau told the Calgary Sun.
“It’s difficult (being far from his family) but I think that’s part of being a professional athlete. I’m 22 years old and I’ve been away from home since I was 17, going back in the summer and I’m used to it by now.
“It won’t be long before I’m starting my own family. Obviously it’s great to be close to my family out east but it’s something as a pro athlete you have to learn to live with.”
Gaudreau’s parents have come to see him in Calgary several times the last two years and they also hook up with him when the club travels through New Jersey, Philadelphia and other nearby cities.
“During the season I only get to see them three or four times, so it’s difficult,” said Gaudreau, who will once again spend his offseason back east.
“One of the reasons I can stay in Calgary so long is because I can go home every summer and spend time with my family out east.”
Gaudreau said there is nothing new to report on his contract negotiations, insisting things have been on hold since before the trade deadline when his agent, Lewis Gross, flew into Calgary. Gaudreau is typically laid back when it comes to the process, suggesting he isn’t worried at all about it.
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For instance BJHockeyJunkie, who I can't remember if the poster has any real connection to Johnny or not, but seem to recall he/she does. Anyways, BCHJ was in here not too long ago insisting that there was no chance Johnny would sign anything but a 5 year deal that would take him to his first available UFA opportunity.
Plus there always seems to be a bit of hand wringing/pessimism over it, which is understandable I guess given he is from out east and seems to be real close with his family.
Anyways, glad to hear that he is planning on being here a long time, but I won't feel super great about it until he's signed a long term deal, hopefully 8 years.
You can't let him sign a five year deal. You trade him before u do that. His value is thru the roof and as much as I love the kid I'd rather move him now than lose him when he's 27
You can't let him sign a five year deal. You trade him before u do that. His value is thru the roof and as much as I love the kid I'd rather move him now than lose him when he's 27
You can't let him sign a five year deal. You trade him before u do that. His value is thru the roof and as much as I love the kid I'd rather move him now than lose him when he's 27
It's guaranteed money. He'll take as much as he can for the max term offered. Anything can happen. If he signs for five and has a career ending injury next year he will regret not taking more term and money.
For instance BJHockeyJunkie, who I can't remember if the poster has any real connection to Johnny or not, but seem to recall he/she does. Anyways, BCHJ was in here not too long ago insisting that there was no chance Johnny would sign anything but a 5 year deal that would take him to his first available UFA opportunity.
Plus there always seems to be a bit of hand wringing/pessimism over it, which is understandable I guess given he is from out east and seems to be real close with his family.
Anyways, glad to hear that he is planning on being here a long time, but I won't feel super great about it until he's signed a long term deal, hopefully 8 years.
Did BJHockeyJunkie always say Johnny would also sign here for sure coming out of college while the rest of the board was going crazy that he might pull a Shultz?
Did BJHockeyJunkie always say Johnny would also sign here for sure coming out of college while the rest of the board was going crazy that he might pull a Shultz?
Well okay sure but that was an easy call. BC hockeyJunkie is a Gaudreau fan, not a Flames Fan. She(?) has followed his career and made that prediction that alot of people did, he'd sign here. Only the truly panicky were legitimately worried.
When making the 5 year prediction she's looking at it from the sole perspective of Gaudreau, not the Flames. When you have the Flames assistant GM on record saying it definitely won't be 5 years, who do you believe here? The educated Gaudreau fan or one of the guys that will actually make the contract offer?
Gaudreau has no plans to leave Calgary anytime soon
