Sean Monahan plans long future with Flames

Unsigned restricted free agent forwards Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau are friends who would like to play together with the Calgary Flames for a long time, Monahan said Monday.
"We talk a little bit, and obviously we're in the same situation," Monahan told TSN. "We're good friends. It's something that we do talk about. ...
"It's not something that we're battling about or anything like that. We both want to be there, we both want to play together, and we want to win in Calgary."

Monahan, who will turn 22 on Oct. 12, said he would prefer a multiyear contract rather than a shorter bridge deal players in his situation sometimes sign.
"I definitely want to be there for a long time," Monahan said. "So I would prefer a longer-term contract, but that's not up for me to decide. So I think I want to be there, I want to be in Calgary for the rest of my career, so that's something that I'm looking forward to doing."

Monahan and Gaudreau, 23 next month, have been linemates for the past two seasons, when they have combined for 112 goals and 267 points. They have missed seven games total.
Monahan said he noticed that Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos may have taken less money in his eight-year contract to remain with his team and allow it some flexibility under the NHL salary cap.
"If you're a high-end player and you're playing somewhere at a young age, that's where your heart is and that's where you want to win," Monahan said. "Our goal is to bring a Stanley Cup to Calgary, so if that's what it is, that we can bring other players in, to have a little extra money room and get them in to help us to be a better team, I think that's the idea."
Monahan said negotiations with the Flames are ongoing.
"It's getting there, and it's a process," he said. "I mean, the deal has to work on both ends, and obviously I want to be in Calgary, so I'm just looking forward to getting it done and hopefully it gets done here soon."