Prior to the 2024-25 season, Adam Gaudette signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Ottawa Senators. Gaudette desperately needed a solid season to save his hockey career.
Gaudette delivered with a surprising 19-goal season and finished with 26 points in the 2024-25 season in Ottawa as a fourth liner. The "Hockey Gaud" slowly became a fan favorite and underappreciated player with the Senators. However, Gaudette is not returning to Ottawa in 2025.
Ten days ago, Gaudette signed a two-year contract with the San Jose Sharks at $2 million per year at 28 years old. For the season he had in Ottawa, Gaudette deserved a higher salary, but he will walk into a tough situation in San Jose that he will need to embrace.
Gaudette needs to be a reliable player every game in San Jose
There's no denying that the Sharks have been in the bottom of the league for years now. Since losing in the 2019 Western Conference Finals, the Sharks have missed the playoffs every year. That is the team that Gaudette is now a member of.
San Jose does have solid players to build on for the future highlighted by Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith. The Sharks also have William Eklund, Tyler Toffoli. The Sharks' biggest free agency splash in 2025 was signed Dmitry Orlov.
Even with some young talent on the roster, the Sharks were the worst team in 2024-25 with a 20-50-12 record (52 points). However, the roster does looked heavily improved for 2025-26. Gaudette will need to be one of those players to improve the Sharks, but the team needs to be caucious about him.
Gaudette started 2024 hot for the Senators with scoring 13 goals from October-December, but 2025 was a major struggle. Gaudette would only score six goals in 2025. At one point in 2025, Gaudette had a 23-game goal drought.
Another reason Gaudette will be relied on by the Sharks deeply is his salary. Although his salary is $2 million per year, Gaudette is the fourth highest paid forward on the Sharks roster for the 2025-26 season now that Logan Couture retired this past April.
The Senators signed Lars Eller over Gaudette to make up the fourth line depth for 2025-26. Eller has been more of a consistent fourth liner than Gaudette has in his career, and Eller signed for $775,000 less than Gaudette. However, a fresh start in San Jose has arrived for Gaudette.