Gaudreau says he'd like to remain with Flames, win Stanley Cup in Calgary

Johnny Gaudreau said he would like to remain with the Calgary Flames.

Calgary is focused on granting that request, general manager Brad Treliving said.
"We want him to be a Calgary Flame," Treliving said Saturday. "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's been some great ones."
The forward can become an unrestricted free agent July 13 after completing the final season of a six-year, $40.5 million contract ($6.75 million average annual value). The Flames were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Thursday when they lost Game 5 of the best-of-7 Western Conference Second Round to the Edmonton Oilers 5-4 in overtime
Gaudreau 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.
"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."
The 28-year-old had an NHL career-high 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists) this season, tied with Florida Panthers forward Jonathan Huberdeau (30 goals, 85 assists) for second in the League. Only Oilers forward Connor McDavid had more (123 points; 44 goals, 79 assists).
"Whether I'm here for next year or not, who knows what happens?" Gaudreau said. "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.
"My next-door neighbors, pretty sure they were shoveling my snow all year just to get me back. You go to Starbucks, you go out to eat, everyone is so welcoming and really wants me back here. And it's great. That's what you want to hear. That's what you want people to think of you, that they want you on their team. It's a little overwhelming at times but it's great to hear. I love it."

Gaudreau has played 602 NHL games since being selected by Calgary in the fourth round (No. 104) in the 2011 NHL Draft. His 609 points (210 goals, 399 assists) are fifth in Flames history behind Jarome Iginla (1,095), Theo Fleury (830), Al MacInnis (822) and Joe Nieuwendyk (616).
"In my talks with him, trying to have him understand what a legacy he could leave in Calgary if he stays," forward Blake Coleman said. "You could probably already put his jersey up in the rafters. Eight more years of Johnny, he'd be cemented forever."
Gaudreau played first-line left wing with center Elias Lindholm and right wing Matthew Tkachuk, who each also had an NHL career-high in points this season. Tkachuk was second on the Flames with 104 points (42 goals, 62 assists); Lindholm was third with 82 points (42 goals, 40 assists).
"It would be amazing to have him back," Lindholm said of Gaudreau. "He's had an unreal year. I was fortunate to play with him and we had a lot of fun, but you never know. Would love to have him back. He's our best player, and if we lose our best player, it's tough."
Tkachuk can become a restricted free agent after coming to the end of a three-year, $21 million contract ($7 million AAV).
Like Gaudreau, Tkachuk has only played for the Flames in the NHL since being selected in the first round (No. 6) of the 2016 NHL Draft. Also like Gaudreau, the 24-year-old said he would be open to signing a long-term contract to stay.
"Absolutely. I've loved it here," said Tkachuk, who played his sixth NHL season. "I've grown up here. ... It's cool. Not only cool to go places and have people come up and talk about the sport, and talk about what you mean to them and everything. But just how happy that the team makes them feel and how great they've made my life here."
Gaudreau led Calgary with 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 12 games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He had five assists in the first two games against the Oilers in the second round but was held to one goal in the final three.
"I didn't sit in the locker room and keep my jersey on or stare up in the stands," Gaudreau said. "That's something that I didn't really think of. … I do have a big decision. And we'll see what happens in the next few weeks, but I love it here.
"I love the fans. I love the city. But I never really had that moment where I was like, 'This is it for me.'"