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Monahan seems confident Gaudreau will sign before season begins

Detroit Red Wings v Calgary Flames

CALGARY, AB - JANUARY 7: Johnny Gaudreau #13 (L) of the Calgary Flames confers with his teammate Sean Monahan #23 during a break in play against the Detroit Red Wings during an NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome on January 7, 2015 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)

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Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau seem primed to be the Calgary Flames’ dynamic duo for some time, but if they’re getting matching contracts, those deals will come at different moments.

Monahan’s seven-year, $44.625 million extension was settled on Friday, so what of Gaudreau? That remains to be seen.

For Monahan’s part, he doesn’t think contract talks will bleed into the 2016-17 regular season.

“It takes time,” Monahan said, according to NHL.com. “I’m positive he’s going to be here for Oct. 12 [regular-season opener at the Edmonton Oilers] and be playing for the Calgary Flames. I’m not worried about it. Brad is doing his work on that part. I’m just looking forward to getting off to the World Cup and playing with him there, and continue that chemistry into the season.”

You could make a very reasonable argument that Gaudreau is worth more than Monahan. He’s simply a magical talent; even Flames GM Brad Treliving acknowledges that there’s a “uniqueness” to the wizardly forward.

There are some more concrete differences that swing things toward a Monahan-like payout, mind you.

Gaudreau (23) is a little older than Monahan, who is 21. Monahan plays the more “crucial” center position while Gaudreau may be a little more worried about how a longer deal may eat up potential UFA years.

These factors pile up enough to build a little anxiety, but at least at the moment, the Flames seem optimistic about locking down Gaudreau.