Burning Questions For the 2025-26 Season: Adam Gaudette

With the 2025-26 season now in sight, the plan is to address the burning questions surrounding every player on the roster (or competing for a roster spot). These questions are focused on how the player is expected to contribute to the Sharks this season and what their role will be.

Adam Gaudette
6'1" 187bs
29 years old (start of season)
2015 5th round pick

Last Season

81 games, 19 goals, 7 assists, 10:25 TOI (Ottawa Senators)

Adam Gaudette exploded for the Ottawa Senators with 19 goals despite playing less than 11 minutes a night. After spending the majority of the 2023-24 season in the AHL playing for the Springfield Thunderbirds (St. Louis Blues affiliate). Gaudette got a chance to reestablish his game with the Sens and took advantage.

He posted solid analytics despite playing 4th line minutes for Ottawa. He did take advantage of lesser competition and shot an astronomical 21.1% last season. While that shooting percentage isn't sustainable from year to year, it shows that when given an opportunity, Gaudette can add scoring pop to a team.

Burning Question

What is Gaudette's role going to be?

Where does Gaudette slot into the Sharks' lineup? He could legitimately push for a second-line wing spot or play on the fourth line, and none of those would be surprising. Gaudette performed well playing weaker competition in Ottawa. Could he help boost the fourth line that struggled to score? Barclay Goodrow, Ty Dellandrea, and Carl Grundström combined for nine goals last season. Gaudette had 19 last year.

How much special teams time Gaudette earns will be interesting. He played a career-high 5:46 of penalty kill time last season with the Senators. Can Gaudette earn more ice time by being a mainstay on the PK? Gaudette isn't going to crack the top power play unit, but he could improve the second unit that is desperate for an injection of talent. He played 113 minutes of power play time last year and contributed three goals. Gaudette's path to playing time will most likely depend on whether he can secure a role on special teams.

Expectations

Adam Gaudette will be a player who moves up and down the lineup for the Sharks and should help to stabilize their bottom six, which could use an injection of talent. While expecting Gaudette to repeat his 21.1% shooting percentage is unrealistic, it also wouldn't be surprising for him to lead the bottom six in scoring. And since he's one of the few players brought in this season with a multiyear deal, he could easily become a fan favorite with his style of play.