According to sources, Johnny Gaudreau, the premier name in this year's NHL free-agent market, will join the Columbus Blue Jackets.
According to multiple reports, the deal covers seven years with an average annual value of $9 million for the star who only played for the Flames. It was reported by SportsNet.
The Flames had three forwards who scored 100 points in the regular season, with Johnny Gaudreau leading the way.
As soon as the Flames exited the playoffs, there was a lot of speculation that Johnny Gaudreau, a smooth skater in the offensive zone with a flair for the dramatic, would listen to offers from Eastern teams.
The New JerseyDevils, New York Islanders and PhiladelphiaFlyer were expected to be among those teams, but they weren't the only ones that were interested in him. The Blue Jackets entered the picture later in the day, not long after the Flyers said they were no longer in the chase of Gaudreau.
At the end of the season, the Flames made sure they'd be in that mix, when Brad Treliving spoke of the team's commitment to keep Johnny Hockey. "We're going to move heaven and earth, and do everything we can to get Johnny back here," he said after the Flames were eliminated from the playoffs.
In his end-of-season media availability, Johnny Gaudreau spoke glowingly of the Flames and the community as a whole. Everyone is so welcoming and really wants me to come back here." It's wonderful. That is what you would like to hear. He said that he wanted people to think of him as a teammate. At times it's overwhelming but it's great to hear. I think it's great. Everyone wants me to come back. It's wonderful.
On Tuesday night, just before free agency began, Gaudreau told his former club that he was leaving.
In his last 207 regular-season games, Gaudreau has authored 222 points, had 14 points in 12 playoff games, and can easily anchor a top line on most teams. The Blue Jackets didn't make the playoffs and finished with 81 points in the highly competitive Metropolitan Division.
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