If the Calgary Flames aspire to be a playoff team in 2021–22, they’ll need to have a healthy Johnny Gaudreau for the entire season.
Gaudreau, 28, is likely the Flames’ best offensive player. He’s been a fixture on the team’s top line since he entered the league in 2014–15 and led the Flames with 19 goals and 49 points last season.
According to Evolving-Hockey, Gaudreau led all forwards on the 2020–21 Flames with 11.3 total goals above replacement (GAR) and provided the team with $8.0 million of total value against his $6.75 million cap hit.
Among Flames skaters, only Elias Lindholm surpassed Gaudreau’s 8.