“Chance to be one of greatest in franchise history” – Johnny Gaudreau wishes to remain with Calgary Flames and win Stanley Cup


“Chance to be one of greatest in franchise history” – Johnny Gaudreau wishes to remain with Calgary Flames and win Stanley Cup

Johnny Gaudreau

American ice hockey player Johnny Gaudreau expressed his desire to continue playing with the Calgary Flames in future as well. The New Jersey native forward can notably become an unrestricted free agent on July 13 after completing the final season of a $40.5 million, six-year contract ($6.75 million average annual value).

The Flames were earlier eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday after a loss in Game 5 of the best-of-seven Western Conference Second Round to the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 in overtime. 

YouTube video

We want him to be a Calgary Flame,” general manager Brad Treliving said on Saturday with a focus on granting Gaudreau’s wish, as quoted by NHL.com. “He’s been one his whole career. I think he’s got a chance to be one of the greatest ever to play in the history of the franchise, and there have been some great ones.”

FS Video

“Been here for 11 years but haven’t got to that ultimate goal”

Johnny Gaudreau
Johnny Gaudreau

The 28-year-old Gaudreau, who had a National Hockey League (NHL) career-high 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists) this season, said he wants to win the Stanley Cup with the Flames but will meet with his agent within a week to help determine his next step.

Also Read | “Doesn’t always work like that” – Connor McDavid nets decider as Edmonton Oilers eliminate Calgary Flames to advance to Western Conference finals

“I’ve been here for 11 years and haven’t got to that ultimate goal,” Gaudreau said. “It’s been a while since they’ve won here (1989). So I think that would be pretty special, to win a Cup here. It’s something that I kind of dreamed about my whole life, and Calgary is a great place to do it.”

Whether I’m here for next year or not, who knows what happens?” he added. “But when my time does end here, I hope people remember me as a good person off the ice. … I just want people to know how grateful I am for them welcoming me here. Hopefully, it’s a few more years here and they can get stuck with me.”

Also Read | “Going to have an evaluation” – Bruins star Brad Marchand undergoes hip surgery; expected to be out for 6 months