Contract talks between the Calgary Flames and star forward Johnny Gaudreau have been underway for months yet there doesn't appear to be an end in sight.
Gaudreau wants to be paid reasonably more than Sean Monahan - and rightfully so - while the Flames want Gaudreau's cap hit to at least be in the ball park of Monahan's.
As a result the two sides are still not close to an extension with the 2016-17 season just a month away.
Johnny Gaudreau isn’t going to be signed by the Calgary Flames anytime soon....
Sources say Gaudreau’s agent, Lewis Gross, is asking for a payday in the $8-million range while the Flames are pushing to pay between what Sean Monahan signed for ($6.375 million annual average value) and what captain Mark Giordano makes (a team-high $6.75 million AAV).
Eight million per season might be a little high - $7.5M like Vladimir Tarasenko makes is more reasonable - but I don't blame Gaudreau's camp for a) asking high and; b) wanting a good chunk more than Monahan.
Gaudreau is a more dynamic player, a better point producer, and better at both generating and suppressing shots at full-strength.
Gaudreau is unquestionably better than Monahan and his next contract should reflect that.
I don't blame the Flames for playing hardball and trying to knock his price tag down but when all is said and done I think they'll have to cave and at least make Gaudreau the highest paid player on the team. He deserves to be just that.
Recent posts: Backlund to replace Zetterberg on Sweden