Prior to the 2024-25 season, Adam Gaudette needed a sharp season to save his hockey career with the Ottawa Senators. Gaudette's 2024-25 season was one the Senators didn't see coming.
Gaudette recorded a career-high 19 goals for a fourth liner. Along with 19 goals, Gaudette's 26 points were the second highest of his career for a single season. Gaudette was a solid player for the Senators' second powerplay unit with scoring three powerplay goals.
After the season, Gaudette became an unrestricted free agent. The Senators didn't re-sign Gaudette when free agency started, and he would sign a contract with the San Jose Sharks. Even with signing in San Jose, Gaudette has the ability to become easy trade bait down the road.
Sharks were bad in 2024-25, contracts on team aren't long-term
Gaudette's contract in San Jose was a two-year contract at $2 million per year. Signing in San Jose has brought a new challenge and opportunity for Gaudette to embrace. However, trade bait could be in the works for Gaudette in San Jose.
What some might find shocking is that the Sharks roster doesn't have many players on board for years to come. Gaudette is one of them with being under contract until 2027. With Logan Couture announcing retirement this Summer, the Sharks have 19 skaters combined under contract until 2026 or 2027. Two of which are Will Smith and Maklin Celebrini, but both are part of the Sharks long-term future at their young age.
With many skaters under contract short-term, trade bait can be expected within the next two years by San Jose if the team struggles. The Sharks will build their franchise around Smith, Celebrini and William Eklund. However, the Sharks will need to have quality depth to make sure they end their six-year playoff drought. One of those players can be Gaudette, but he will have to make a jump immediately in his game.
Along with a career year in goal scoring, the Sharks will need Gaudette big in 2025-26 to turn around the Sharks quickly. Last season, the Sharks finished with the worst record in the NHL with a 20-50-12 record (52 points).
Gaudette going from playing for a 2025 playoff team to the worst team in the NHL might have been shocking to some. If the Sharks struggle again over the next two seasons, that is where the Sharks could trade Gaudette to get another draft pick or two in exchange to build more for the future.
Like Ottawa ending its playoff drought in 2025, San Jose is due eventually. However, not having many skaters under contract for more than two years can put many players at trade bait, and one of them is Gaudette.
The Sharks ending their playoff drought within two years of Gaudette under contract can be a challenge with a stacked Western Conference. However, the former Senator will have a fresh start to his hockey career in San Jose when he turns 29 in early-October.