Report: No contract discussions between Johnny Gaudreau and the Calgary Flames for almost a month

Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving and agent Lewis Gross reportedly haven't talked about a new contract for the star left winger since Sept. 9.

Contracts talks between left winger Johnny Gaudreau’s camp and the Calgary Flames have reached an impasse.

Lewis Gross, the agent for the unsigned Gaudreau, told Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman he and Flames GM Brad Treliving haven’t spoken in nearly a month.

“Our last conversation with the Flames was on Sept. 9,” Lewis told Friedman. “We were told we’d get a call in two days. It hasn’t happened.”

Gaudreau, 23, is absent from Flames training camp as he awaits a new contract. As Friedman notes, Gaudreau has little leverage because doesn’t he have arbitration or offer-sheet eligibility. This is because of a clause in the collective bargaining agreement (10.c), which gives the present NHL team the “exclusive right to negotiate with any such player” in the case of those with fewer than three years of professional experience.

Gaudreau was drafted by the Flames in the fourth round, 104th overall, in 2011. He signed a three-year, entry-level deal in April 2014 after winning the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s top player while with the Boston College Eagles.

Gaudreau played one game with the Flames to close out the 2013-14 season, burning the first year of his entry-level pact. He was a Calder Trophy finalist in 2014-15 after recording 24 goals and 64 points – tied for tops among NHL rookies with Ottawa Senators right winger Mark Stone. He finished tied for sixth in league scoring last season with 78 points.

“We’re not going to negotiate this publicly,” Treliving told Friedman. “We’ve said several times that we are optimistic this is going to get done. We want Johnny here.”

The Calgary Sun’s Eric Francis reported on Sept. 8 that Gaudreau asked for a contract worth approximately $8-million annually. The Flames, according to Francis, countered with compensation between that of Sean Monahan ($6.375-million annually) and Mark Giordano ($6.75-million).

Gaudreau recently competed in the World Cup of Hockey where he starred for the upstart North American team, scoring twice and adding two assists in three games.

After the tournament, North American teammate and restricted free agent Jacob Trouba asked for a trade from the Winnipeg Jets. Team Europe left winger Tobias Rieder, another Group 2 free agent, would reportedly like the Arizona Coyotes to move him as well.

When it comes to Gaudreau and the Flames, however, Gross told Friedman his client has no desires of following course.

“We have no intention of asking for a trade at this time,” Gross said. “He wants to stay in Calgary.”