Johnny Gaudreau’s contract talks might be at an impasse, but don’t expect the talented restricted free agent to request a trade from the Calgary Flames anytime soon.
[link_box id=”22277″ site_id=”17″ layout=”link-box-third” alignment=”alignright”]Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.ca spoke with Gaudreau’s agent, Lewis Gross, who said the 23-year-old winger doesn’t intend on asking for a trade.
“No,” Lewis Gross answered, when asked if Gaudreau wants to follow the path of another unsigned free agent, Winnipeg’s Jacob Trouba.
Could we see a point where that changes?
“We have no intention of asking for a trade at this time,” he replied. “He wants to stay in Calgary.”
As Friedman mentioned, Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba decided it was best to demand a trade in Winnipeg. Arizona Coyotes forward Tobias Rieder, while not on the same level as Gaudreau or Trouba, also had his agent publicly request a trade this week as well.
What’s different with Gaudreau than those two situations, is Gaudreau has a defined role in which both he and the team understands. Nobody wants to break up the band – it’s just a matter of finding commonplace on a long-term arrangement. It’s more when than if. Gaudreau will be in a Flames jersey for years to come.