Gaudreau could have played last game in Flames’ uniform

Johnny Gaudreau did everything he could to keep his Flames alive on Thursday, but Calgary still dropped a 5-4 overtime decision to the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 and were eliminated from the Western Conference semifinals. As the Flames’ fanbase is still getting over the elimination, it also has to wonder if Gaudreau has played his last game with Calgary.

Gaudreau is a prospective unrestricted free agent who just had a career season, setting highs in goals (40), assists (75), points (115, second in the NHL) and plus-minus rating (league-best plus-64).

While Calgary GM Brad Treliving has said the Flames will “move heaven and earth” to keep him, Gaudreau will come at a price. He made $6.75 million annually over the last six years, and that number will probably be in the $9 million range in his next deal.

Most insiders believe he will stay in Calgary, but they still have to consider the possibility of Gaudreau looking at a chance to play for his childhood team, the Philadelphia Flyers.

He owns a home at the Jersey Shore, and his wife and his family have ties to the region, so he seems like a natural fit for the Flyers, who would do anything to get a player like him for a quick rebuild.

Here is how Matt Larkin of Daily Face-off puts it:

“Plenty of speculation will link Gaudreau to his childhood team – which, to set the record straight, is the Philadelphia Flyers, not the New Jersey Devils, as Gaudreau is a South Jersey boy – but signing with a team like Philly would set Gaudreau’s championship aspirations back years. He’s only 28. He has enough time left to sign a lucrative long-term deal with Calgary, compete for championships and then enjoy a homecoming with the Flyers on the contract after this one if it’s what he really wants. But right now? There’s too much good to walk away from in Calgary. The Flames have built something promising here.”

Fans in Calgary will hope that the Flames can keep building with Gaudreau as a core player.