Johnny Gaudreau on his future in Calgary.

On Thursday night, the Calgary Flames were eliminated at the hands of their arch rivals, the Edmonton Oilers, in Game 5 of their second round series in the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. It was a valiant effort on the part of a Flames roster that largely exceeded expectations this season, but now all thoughts turn towards the future of that roster and what it will look like come next season.

At the forefront of that discussion is Flames star forward Johnny Gaudreau who was playing in the final year of his current deal with the Flames this season, a 6 year contract he signed with the Flames in 2016 that carries an average annual value and salary cap hit of $6.75 million per season. At 28 years of age Gaudreau is coming off what is inarguably the best year of his career with the Flames, scoring a career high 40 goals, adding a career high 75 assists, and finishing with a career high total of 115 points over a full 82 game season and is likely looking at a significant raise in salary from any number of potential suitors around the National Hockey League.

As you would expect Gaudreau was asked about this very topic during the Flames end of season press conference and Gaudreau made it clear that, while he loves the city of Calgary, he will be putting himself and his loved ones first.

"I don’t know anything but Calgary," said Gaudreau on Saturday. "It’s kind of a big decision here - I have to figure out what’s best for myself first and my family."

Perhaps the biggest blow to those who are hoping to see Gaudreau remain a member of the Flames for the foreseeable future came when the star forward admitted that he had said his goodbyes to all of his teammates.

"You try to say goodbye to everyone because you never know what’s going to happen," admitted Gaudreau.

Gaudreau also spoke of his hopes that he will be remembered fondly once his time in Calgary does come to an end.

"When my time does end here I hope people remember me as a good person," said Gaudreau. "I want people to know how grateful I am to be here."

If you're looking for a silver lining though it may actually come in the form of Gaudreau's family. The star forward admitted that his wife loves the city of Calgary, and a happy wife makes for a happy life.

"Obviously Calgary is a special place in my heart," said the star forward. "My wife loves it here."

It sounds like Gaudreau's neighbors are also doing a great job of representing the Flames fanbase, with Gaudreau admitting on Saturday that he suspects his neighbors have also been trying to sway him to remain in Calgary.

"My next door neighbours were shovelling my driveway just to have me back. It’s a little overwhelming at times. It’s super nice to hear."

Unsurprisingly though when he was asked who was lobbying the hardest for him to return, he admitted that Flames general manager Brad Treliving was likely at the top of that list.

"Probably Tree," said Gaudreau.

Aside from the fact that he has a chance to earn millions by offering his services to the highest bidder after a career season in free agency, there's another reason to suspect that Gaudreau might not be long for the Flames. Prior to signing his current contract with the Flames in 2016 Gaudreau famously said:

"Everyone wants to play for their hometown team eventually."

Will the call to go back home be too much for the native of South Jersey to resist?