Calgary Flames star and free agent winger Johnny Gaudreau has made a shocking decision on his future ahead of the NHL's free agency period. Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reports that Gaudreau has decided to test the open market in free agency.

Wow. It had been previously reported that the Flames had an offer on the table for Johnny Gaudreau that would make him the highest-paid player in franchise history. The offer was believed to be at least an eight-year deal worth $10 million.

Well, the decision definitely wasn't about money. Not only will Gaudreau be testing the open market, but the Flames won't be in the running, per Hockey Insider Frank Seravalli.

Clearly, the Flames wanted to keep their franchise star of nine seasons, who was drafted by the team back in 2013. However, Johnny Gaudreau had other NHL free agency aspirations. Now, the sights of every NHL fan will immediately be set on where the star winger will ultimately land.

He is one of the top available free agents, having tied for second in the league in scoring with 75 assists and 40 goals this past season. Perhaps Gaudreau, a Salem, New Jersey native, would like to play closer to home.

That would seem to make the New York Islanders, a team desperately in need of an infusion of talent in the attacking zone, the favorite to land “Johnny Hockey.”

Wherever he ends up, it figures to be one of the biggest storylines of the offseason. The Johnny Gaudreau NHL free agency sweepstakes has begun.