Gaudreau focused on Qualifiers, 'has never looked better' with Flames

CALGARY --Johnny Gaudreau said being in a smaller practice group at the start of Calgary Flames training camp could be an asset and he's certain he'll be well-prepared when the Stanley Cup Qualifiers begin.

"It's definitely the longest I think ever I've been off the ice, even with summers and a lot of guys spending time off the ice," Gaudreau said Thursday. "It was definitely difficult, but I think these skates we've been having with just nine guys is definitely something I can take advantage of. We're getting pushed pretty hard in those practices, which is great, and we're catching up to game speed pretty quickly here with all those extra reps."

Gaudreau opened camp Monday apart from regular linemates Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm, and instead skated in a smaller workout that included forwards Milan Lucic and Sam Bennett, defenseman Noah Hanifin, and goalie Cam Talbot.

The absence from the larger, 24-player primary group fueled speculation that Gaudreau's assignment was a punishment for subpar conditioning, but Flames general manager Brad Treliving said that was not the case.

"Johnny Gaudreau has never looked better," Treliving said. "For us to focus on one guy I think is completely unfair. Listen, he's a top player in our league and I know when people look at our groups … we're in a different world here. We have to take precautions. I would just caution everybody. Speculation and speculating in the environment where we are … be cautious of it.

"But I can't speak high enough to the work level that Johnny has put in. It's evident when I saw him. He's never looked better. He's absolutely flying out there. He's in a great frame of mind. I'm totally ecstatic to where Johnny Gaudreau is right now."

Gaudreau said he doesn't believe getting up to speed with his longtime linemates will be an issue prior to the Qualifiers. Calgary (36-27-7, .564 points percentage) is the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference and will play the Winnipeg Jets (37-28-6, .563), the No. 9 seed, at Rogers Place in Edmonton, the hub city for the 12 West teams.

Game 1 of the best-of-5 series is Aug. 1. The winner will advance to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the loser will have a chance at the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft in the Second Phase of the NHL Draft Lottery, which will be held Aug. 10.

"I obviously miss those two," Gaudreau said of Monahan and Lindholm. "I haven't gotten to see them too, too much since I've been here in Calgary. We've had a lot of good chemistry together, and I don't see it being a problem not practicing for a week or week and a half together. I've played with [Monahan] most of my entire career … 15 or 20 games I haven't played with him. I feel we just pick up our sticks and be fine together. [Lindholm] did a great job last year hopping on our line.

"A couple practices and get together a bit and we'll be fine and go from there."

Gaudreau was second on the Flames, three points behind forward Matthew Tkachuk, with 58 (18 goals, 40 assists) in 70 games this season after scoring an NHL career-high 99 (36 goals, 63 assists) in 2018-19. Gaudreau scored 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) in his last 20 games before the NHL season was paused March 12 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus.

"I've liked him," said Flames coach Geoff Ward, who Monday said the uneven groupings were a result of circumstance.

"I've liked a lot about him. He's got a lot of jump. He's come back in great shape. He's working extremely hard. He's having fun out there. He's got a smile on his face, which is extremely important. This is the time of year that you have to enjoy. Everything we've wanted out of Johnny … right now he's checked all the boxes.

"We're real, real pleased where he is. We're real pleased with how he's playing. And we're anxious to get him back on the left side with [Monahan] and [Lindholm]."