If you’re a Toronto Maple Leafs’ fan who’s interested in the team that general manager Kyle Dubas put together during the offseason, one question you might be asking is: “Whatever happened to Adam Gaudette?”
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Gaudette Signed During Offseason as a Bottom-Six Option
During the offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Adam Gaudette to a one-year contract for the NHL’s league minimum of $750,000. Gaudette had played 58 games for both the Chicago Blackhawks and Ottawa Senators last season. In total, he scored five goals and added nine assists (for 14 points).
When he was signed, the former Hobey Baker Award winner from Massachusetts was destined to see action in the Maple Leafs’ bottom six – somewhere. At first, it looked like he’d be put at the center position at the fourth line with Zach Aston-Reese on one wing and Nicolas Aube-Kubel on the other.
But a lot has happened since preseason began. Aube-Kubel is no longer with the team and was picked up by the Washington Capitals. Gaudette was waived (as I will note later) and Aston-Reese is the last of those three left standing.
During Preseason, Gaudette Injured His Shoulder
In late September, things began to look good for Gaudette. When training camp began, he started by skating on the team’s second line with John Tavares and Mitch Marner. He also was given a shot on the team’s number-one power-play unit during one preseason game.
Sadly, it didn’t take too long before the injury bug bit Gaudette. In the last week of September, he suffered a shoulder injury and had to miss time. Fortunately, within a few days, Gaudette was feeling better (except for some soreness) and was able to finish the team’s training camp.
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Gaudette Was Placed on Waivers and Cleared
On October 9, with so many forwards and too few spots to fill, the Maple Leafs decided that Gaudette had not risen high enough on the team’s list of forwards. He was placed on waivers and cleared. Even with his NHL history of 218 games over five NHL seasons, Gaudette began his season with the Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies.
Although Gaudette didn’t make the initial roster, with injuries almost certain to happen, he’ll likely be on the organization’s shortlist of players it will be likely to recall.
Gaudette’s Time with the Marlies
Since Gaudette was waived almost a month ago, he’s been playing a significant role with the Marlies. In nine AHL games, he’s scored eight goals and added two assists (for 10 points) – or, over a point-a-game pace.
In Saturday’s game (November 5), Gaudette recorded the first hat trick of his professional career against the Belleville Senators. Those three goals gave him points in four straight games (four goals and an assist). He now leads the AHL in goals with eight.
The word on Gaudette is that he’s “not been fazed by the reassignment to the AHL as we sometimes see with veteran players with significant NHL career histories.”
In fact, Marlies’ coach Greg Moore added that Gaudette “has been great.” Moore added about Gaudette that. “He’s your stereotypical power forward: wide drives, gets to the net, makes it hard on defenders. And then there are times when he can be slippery and make in-tight plays in a small space. He has a great shot.”
Gaudette’s Future with the Team?
Hard to say when Maple Leafs’ fans might see Gaudette. However, it’s good to know that he’s ready to play when called upon.
In the meantime, he’ll work hard to add to his league-leading eight AHL goals.
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