When NHL free agency begins on July 13, Calgary Flames All-Star Johnny Gaudreau will be arguably the best available player on the market.
With just days to spare, the Flames and general manager Brad Treliving hope to avoid Gaudreau hitting the open market altogether.
"Deadlines push decisions," Treliving told NHL.com's Nicholas J. Cosonika on Friday after the NHL Draft. "We're creeping up on one. But I genuinely think that everybody's heart is in the right place. We want to get the player signed, and I think he wants to be in Calgary. But they're big decisions. They're life decisions, right?
"So, he's earned this opportunity, if he doesn't sign with us, to look at the market in however long it is. That's something he's got to consider. For us, it's trying to get our player signed, and like I said, we'll keep working at it."
Treliving said he thinks "both sides" want to get a deal done but is also aware the six-time All-Star will receive a lot of interest if he hits free agency.
Gaudreau finished last season with career highs in games (82), goals (40), assists (75), points (115), and plus/minus (+64).
Drafted in the fourth round (No. 104) in 2011 by the Flames, Gaudreau has played his entire nine-year NHL career in Calgary.
Gaudreau's 609 career points ranks him fifth in Flames franchise history, behind Theoren Fleury (830), and three Hall of Famers, Joe Nieuwendyk (616), Al MacInnis (822), Jerome Iginla (1,095)
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