Prior to the 2024-25 season, Adam Gaudette needed a solid season to save his hockey career. At 28 years old, Gaudette delivered for the Ottawa Senators.
In 2024-25, Gaudette recorded 26 points, but set a new career-high with 19 goals on the season. Gaudette became a solid bottom-nine scorer who can play on the powerplay.
As the season concluded, it was uncertain if Gaudette would return to Ottawa with being an unrestricted free agent. Now, Gaudette is off to the West Coast.
Gaudette leaves Ottawa for the Bay
After being in earlier rumors of being linked to the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens, Gaudette is not staying in the Eastern Conference after all. Today, Gaudette joining the San Jose Sharks on a two-year contract at $2 million per year was announced.
Adam Gaudette 2 x $2M
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 1, 2025
San Jose
Yesterday, the Senators re-signed Gaudette's fourth line teammate Nick Cousins to a one-year deal. Then earlier today, fourth liner Matthew Highmore left the Senators to join the New York Islanders.
After Highmore to the Islanders happened, Lars Eller joining the Senators was announced. Now, Gaudette is not returning for the Senators.
Gaudette had solid value for a 19-goal scorer in 2024-25. However, the Senators didn't bring him back.
Gaudette will have a chance to face his former teammate Anton Forsberg in the Pacific Division after Forsberg signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Kings.