Jessica Belmosto

Johnny Gaudreau is currently playing some of the best hockey of his career. The 28-year-old is averaging the most points per game (1.29) of his career. The bump to the first line has encouraged a Johnny Hockey resurgence and made the Calgary Flames even stronger.

After linemate Sean Monahan’s season ended with a hip injury, Gaudreau ended his season on the top line. Playing those few games with Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk showed newly hired Darryl Sutter, what could happen.

The jump to the first line proved to pay off. Although the Flames were out of the playoff picture, offensive production increased. Tkachuk had five goals in the last five games. It was a taste of what could be for the following season.

Sutter saw what could be and kept Gaudreau as his number one left wing to start the 2021-22 season.

He’s accumulated 48 points in 37 games. 9 of those coming in the last five games. Gaudreau has found his way into the Flames’ history books by becoming the 4th all-time leading player in Flames history to have the most 30+ assist seasons.

Gaudreau passed Lanny McDonald, Sergei Markov, and Gary Roberts with his 11th 4+ point career game against St. Louis Blues.

He is currently on pace for 106 points, 71 of those being assists. It is safe to say he is having himself a year.

There are always trade rumors surrounding the New Jersey native but with him becoming a free agent at the end of the season, it makes sense to speculate. The Flames trading away their best player signifies a rebuild. They’d also be foolish to get nothing for him if they do let him walk. All fans can do is hope Brad Treliving and Gaudreau’s agent meet somewhere happily in the middle and work toward bringing the Stanley Cup back home.