Gaudreau thinks Lucic can push Flames 'over the edge'

Don't count Johnny Gaudreau among the critics of the Calgary Flames' offseason acquisition of Milan Lucic.

"Obviously we've been looking for a bit of toughness for our team and Lucic brings that," said Gaudreau, according to NHL.com's Adam Kimelman.

"You don't really realize how big of a presence he is on the ice," he added. "When you play against a team like that and you have a player like that who can get into the corners, big body, get in front of the net, he really helps your team. I think that's what we've been looking for in our team. I think he can push us over the edge here."

Lucic was traded to the Flames by the Edmonton Oilers earlier this summer for winger James Neal. The deal was met with criticism from Flames fans due to Lucic's declining production and steep contract.

The 31-year-old winger had 20 points in 79 games in 2018-19 and will cost the Flames $5.25 million per season until 2023.

Calgary captured the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference last year by collecting 107 points during the regular season, but it was eliminated in five games by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.