The Calgary Flames have re-signed forward Johnny Gaudreau to a new contract, keeping him in the fold for the next six years.

The Flames and Gaudreau himself revealed the news on social media on Monday about the new deal, worth $40.5M, just two days before the start of the regular season.

"We're proud, as everybody knows, to announce the re-signing of Johnny Gaudreau," said Flames' GM Brad Treliving on Tuesday. "Yesterday was an exciting day to get Johnny locked up to a six year contract.

"He's a top young player. He's established himself not only as a top young player but as a top player in the league. I think those that follow our team on a regular basis knows what he has done here the past two years."

Under the new contract, Gaudreau's annual salary is listed at $6.75M but includes a signing bonus of $3M.

Treliving said that there are pushes and pulls with any contract but the calendar helped this time. "Johnny's number one priority is to get here and play. Our number one priority is to get him here and play. As the days go by and the season get closer, things start to materialize and ultimately that happened yesterday."

He says he met with Gaudreau face-to-face several times for discussions. "Momentum started to build. I wouldn't say there was an 'aha' moment.

"It's about finding a deal that works and, critically, finding a deal that works before the season."

Treliving says the rest of the team is also glad to have Gaudreau with them for the long run and having a good team together is important.

Gaudreau spoke to the media about the signing on Tuesday afternoon and said he was happy to be back on the ice with his teammates.

“I’ve been looking forward to it all summer. It’s difficult to sit at home and watch your team go through training camp when you want to be there with them but I was fortunate enough to get out there with them today and meet some of the new faces and get back with the team and get excited for the season,” he said.

He says he wishes the situation was settled a little sooner but that it's business.

“Obviously, I wanted to get it done as quick as possible but my agent, my family, felt it was necessary to get a fair deal for myself so, but at the end of the day, I knew I wasn’t going to miss any games. I know how important it is for me to be here for my team.” 

Last season, Gaudreau scored 30 goals and 48 assists, leading the team and tying for sixth in the league.

He joined the team back in 2014 and has played 160 games over his career, scoring 55 goals and 88 assists over that period.

Treliving says the team is preparing for the opening of the regular season, which will see Mark Giordano wearing the captain's crest along with Sean Monahan and Troy Bouwer as assistant captains.