The Blue Jackets only had to make a contract that worked for both parties, and he would sign it.
Seven years and $ 68.25 million (average annual value of $ 9.75 million) did the trick.
Gaudreau put the pen to paper Wednesday night and was introduced to the Columbus community at a press conference at the Nationwide Arena on Thursday afternoon.
“I wanted to come here,” Gaudreau said. “This was always a circled place on my list.”
The 28-year-old striker led the Calgary Flames and was tied for second place in the NHL last season with 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists) in 82 regular-season games. He led the NHL with an over-64 rating and set career highs in goals, assists, points, winning goals (nine) and goal shots (262).
Gaudreau also led the Flames to the Stanley Cup playoffs with 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 12 games.
The Flames made Gaudreau an eight-year contract offer that is said to be worth more annually than the one he received from the Blue Jackets. But he told Flames general manager Brad Treliving on Tuesday night that he would not sign with them.
Once he made that decision, Gaudreau and his wife, Meredith, went to the Eastern Conference so he could play closer to where he grew up in South Jersey. He said it was always a dream of his to play with an East Coast team.
They decided that Columbus, although not close to the coast, was close enough.
“I only played here once a year and it was from the hotel to the track and then to the hotel and I had never been to Columbus before that,” Gaudreau said. “But all summer I did homework in places that I thought were good for me, I talked to some former players. After every time I talked to a different person in this city, it seemed like the person was more excited than the previous one. person I was talking to. It seemed like a perfect place. “
The young core of the Blue Jackets was also part of his decision.
“I think there’s a lot of potential,” Gaudreau said. “There are good players on this team. I’ve heard a lot of great things. They’re a very close-knit group. It’s who you want to play with, guys who get along well in the locker rooms and love to come. The track and working every day. It’s just an environment healthy to be around “.
The Blue Jackets did not qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs the last two seasons, losing by 19 points last season and 16 by 2020-21.
But that did not matter to Gaudreau.
“I’m very excited, I think we have a good group here,” he said. “I didn’t come to Columbus to see the sights. I came here to win hockey games.”
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Gaudreau said making the decision to leave Calgary was difficult, but he thought it was right for him and Meredith, who is pregnant and expecting the couple’s first child in September.
“It probably went down until 11pm before the free agency where I decided I wouldn’t go back,” Gaudreau said. “It was tough, but it was the best for us. We were very excited to sign here in Columbus. It was one of the teams that interested us a lot and when they called, we all had smiles.”
The general manager, Jarmo Kekalainen, said that at the reception of the Blue Jackets it was unanimous that they had to make it work with Gaudreau for the interest he showed in it.
“We all agreed that we can’t pass up an opportunity like this with a player of his caliber who wants to come here,” Kekalainen said. “Obviously, he was wanted by several teams. We had seen him – I don’t know how many times – with our listening staff and we continued conversations with his agent and he arrived pretty quickly after we realized that we were both I wanted that. An agreement had to be made and we signed it. “
Gaudreau could find himself playing along the same lines as Patrik Laine, who is a restricted free agent. Kekalainen said they hope to have Laine under contract.
Midfield options include Boone Jenner, Cole Sillinger, Jack Roslovic and potentially Kent Johnson, the No. 5 in the 2021 NHL Draft, who played nine games and had three assists last season.
Johnson gave No. 13 to Gaudreau, the number he had throughout his eight seasons at Calgary.
Johnson wore the number 13 because Gaudreau was his great idol.
“I talked to everyone right after signing and I said, ‘I don’t need 13, he can be 13.’ I feel bad. I don’t want to take his number. I’ll start again. ‘” Gaudreau said. “I’ll have to take him to a couple of dinners. It was really nice for him to do this. I shouldn’t have done it. Show what you’re around here, guys who are willing to do it. Little things and don’t expect anything in exchange”.
Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said he has yet to talk to Gaudreau about where he could fit into the lineup, the players he could play with, the systems Columbus plays with, or anything like that.
These conversations will pass, but for now the coach is happy that Gaudreau wanted to be a part of what they are doing in Columbus.
“He chose to come here,” Larsen said. “He chose us, this organization, this city to grow his family by really reaching the best of his career. It’s a great statement.”