Gaudreau signs seven-year, $68.25 million contract with Blue Jackets

The 28-year-old forward led the Calgary Flames and was tied for second in the NHL last season with 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists) in 82 regular-season games. He led the NHL with a plus-64 rating and set NHL career highs in goals, assists, points, game-winning goals (nine) and shots on goal (262).

Gaudreau led the Flames in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 12 games.

“Johnny Gaudreau is a superstar in the National Hockey League, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome him to the Columbus Blue Jackets family,” general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said. “He is an elite player with great character that makes the players around him better. We are thrilled to add a player of his caliber to our group. This is an exciting day for our franchise, our fans and the city of Columbus.”

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On Tuesday, Flames general manager Brad Treliving announced Gaudreau decided to test free agency and leave Calgary, where he has played his entire nine-year NHL career since being selected in the fourth round (No. 104) of the 2011 NHL Draft.

“It’s a disappointing day to say the very least,” Treliving said.

“I sat in front of you, those who are local here, at the end of our season, and I think my line was, ‘We would move heaven and earth (to sign Gaudreau).’ I can assure our fans we’ve done everything possible to keep Johnny in Calgary. I want to wish Johnny, his family, his wife Meredith — he’s going to be a dad in the upcoming months — I want to wish his family the very best. He gave us eight wonderful years here, great memories. It’s difficult. The hard part of this business is we do have to move on.”

Gaudreau has 609 points (210 goals, 399 assists) in 602 regular-season games and ranks fifth in assists and points, and ninth in goals in Flames history. He has 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) in 42 playoff games.