Johnny Gaudreau informs the Flames he won't be re-signing with them

We're less than 24 hours away from the opening of free agency and Johnny Gaudreau has FINALLY informed the Calgary Flames that he'll be testing the free agent market.

Flames GM Brad Treliving confirmed the news and met with the media to discuss his efforts to re-sign Gaudreau:

Gaudreau, of course, is a pending unrestricted free agent and NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported earlier today that the Flames had been pulling out all the stops to keep him in Calgary. According to Seravalli, the team offered Gaudreau an eight year, $80 million contract which would make him the highest paid player in franchise history.

Check it out:

"I can assure our fans that we have done everything possible to keep John in Calgary," Treliving said echoing Seravalli's sentiment. "I want to wish him and his family the very, very best. He gave us 8 great years here."

"I firmly believe there's nothing more we could have done. We respect it ... I think this was a real hard decision for John ...I think everybody operated with the right intentions." is my strong belief that this was a family decision and I respect that fully. John has every right and we have nothing but respect for John the player and John the person."

There's a belief out there that Gaudreau would welcome a return to Calgary, but that he also has some sentimental feelings for his hometown Philadelphia Flyers, whom are expected to court him if he indeed heads to free agency. As Seravalli reports, if Gaudreau does in fact leave the Flames it won't be over money.

Not to be outdone though, New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello appears to be planning something BIG for when Gaudreau hits the free agent market.

From Islanders insider Chris Botta:

Yowza... that's a lot of money but still short of the Flames' offer.

Wherever Johnny Hockey ends up it's clear that he's going to be set for life.