"Deadlines push decisions," Treliving said after the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft ended at Bell Centre. "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 just trying to get our player signed, and like I said, we'll keep working at it."
Gaudreau led the Flames with 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists) last season, tying with Florida Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau (30 goals, 85 assists) for second in the NHL to Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, who had 123 points (44 goals, 79 points).
The left wing, who turns 29 on Aug. 13, has spent his entire NHL career in Calgary. The Flames selected him in the fourth round (No. 104) in the 2011 NHL Draft.
"I think both sides are focused on trying to get a deal, and these things take time," Treliving said. "... Listen, Johnny's a real good player, so there's going to be lots of attention. But this isn't the first player that's gone, whatever, four or five days until free agency, and he won't be the last. So, I think it's real genuine on both sides that we're working to try to get a deal done."
Asked what the Flames would do if Gaudreau tells them to wait while he explores the market, Treliving said: "My hope is that we're going to get something done before it gets to that. If it gets to that, then you have to make decisions.
"Like I said, honestly, our focus is sort of banging away at this to try to get it done. If I didn't think that it was possible, then we'd probably turn our attention somewhere else. That's not to say it's a slam dunk, but when you think that there's a deal there to get done, you keep working at it."
Forwards Ryan Carpenter, Calle Jarnkrok, Trevor Lewis and Brett Ritchie and defensemen Erik Gudbranson, Michael Stone and Nikita Zadorov also can become unrestricted free agents. Forwards Andrew Mangiapane and Matthew Tkachuk and defenseman Oliver Kylington can become restricted free agents.
"Our whole focus has been getting these guys signed, and like I said the other day, we'll continue to do that -- in Johnny's case, up until we can't," Treliving said. "But we remain optimistic. They're important players, and that's what we're going to focus the next few days on."
Treliving said the Flames don't have to make a move due to defenseman Chris Tanev, who had surgery for a dislocated shoulder sustained against the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of the Western Conference First Round on May 13.
"The expectation is Chris is going to be ready for the start of the year, if not training camp," Treliving said. "… He's doing really well, so we're pretty hopeful in that timeframe. We don't expect it's going to be a situation where we have to go replace Chris for a portion of the year."
