logo
‘Stock has definitely risen' on potential Rangers free-agent target Adam Gaudette

‘Stock has definitely risen' on potential Rangers free-agent target Adam Gaudette

Yahoo20-05-2025
There are many reasons why Adam Gaudette's name is being mentioned as a possible free-agent fit with the New York Rangers this offseason.
The Rangers likely are looking to upgrade their bottom six and Gaudette is one of the more intriguing options out there on the open market this summer. Not only is the 28-year-old coming off a breakthrough 19-goal season with the Ottawa Senators, but his price tag should still be reasonable.
Advertisement
All of that is appealing to the Rangers, who could use more depth scoring at an affordable price.
'I think the stock has definitely risen,' Gaudette said after the Senators were eliminated in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Toronto Maple Leafs. 'That was a personal goal of mine, proving that I am an everyday NHL player and finally getting over that hump of, is he an AHL player or NHL player? I had personal goals when I signed here and pretty much nailed every one.'
Gaudette signed a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Senators last summer after the forward played just two games with the St. Louis Blues in 2023-24. He had 26 points playing in an NHL career-high 81 games, averaging 10:25 TOI. His 19 goals were sixth on the Senators; and in the playoffs, Gaudette was tied for fifth in scoring for Ottawa with three points (one goal, two assists) in six games.
Advertisement
'I've always had the mindset that I can be an impactful player in this league, just needed the chance to prove it,' Gaudette explained. 'I think this is just the beginning and I have a lot more to give.'
Gaudette has played 301 NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, Blues and Senators. And he did notch 33 points in 50 games with the Canucks during the pandemic-shortened 2019-20 campaign. But he struggled with consistency, lack of production, and finding a set role in the NHL until this season.
Now he understands better who he is and where he fits.
'Good playoff teams need a good bottom six to support them through the playoffs,' he said. 'I accepted my fourth-line center role and ran with it.'
Advertisement
If the Rangers move Mika Zibanejad to right wing on a line with J.T. Miller, that would open up a spot on their third line at center. There are in-house candidates like Juuso Parssinen and Jonny Brodzinski, and maybe even Noah Laba, who turned pro at the end of his NCAA career with Colorado College. But it's easy to see why the Rangers could consider Gaudette, as well.
Related: Why it's time for Rangers to trade Chris Kreider this offseason
Why Rangers should proceed with caution when it comes to free agent Adam Gaudette
Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
There are a slew of red flags with Gaudette that the Rangers must be aware of, though.
Advertisement
First and foremost, as mentioned above, it was thought that he already had his breakout season in 2019-20. Gaudette followed that up with 10 goals and 25 points the next four seasons in the NHL, yo-yoing between the bigs and the minors. That's a major warning sign that perhaps Gaudette played well above grade this season.
Of course, it could be that a more mature Gaudette simply found himself and his game in 2024-25. But let's face it, his track record isn't great. So, general manager Chris Drury really would need to rely on his scouts here, those who've seen Gaudette on a regular basis, not only this season but in previous ones.
Gaudette had an unsustainable shooting percentage of 21.1 percent this season. He only recorded 90 shots on goal, despite playing all but one game. Those are important stats. Gaudette also scored 13 of his goals before the New Year, and petered out in 2025 with six, including two in the final game of the regular season.
The flip side is that he did play well against the Maple Leafs in the postseason, and his defensive play was much improved this season, including time spent on the penalty kill. The Senators outscored the opposition 32-19 with Gaudette on the ice 5v5 this season, per Natural Stat Trick. And his other metrics were largely positive.
Another thing for the Rangers to consider is whether Gaudette has what it takes to play on the third line with higher expectations than on the fourth line as he did in Ottawa. The Rangers already have Sam Carrick to center their fourth line, and he's a perfect fir there, likely playing with Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom next season.
Advertisement
The best case scenario would be if Gaudette followed in Carrick's footsteps to become a free-agent steal at an affordable price. But there's much to consider before the Rangers pull the trigger on a deal July 1.
Related Headlines
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NHL Rumors: Bruins Targeted New Maple Leafs Forward
NHL Rumors: Bruins Targeted New Maple Leafs Forward

Yahoo

time43 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

NHL Rumors: Bruins Targeted New Maple Leafs Forward

The Boston Bruins made several new additions to their roster so far this summer. While this is the case, they were also reportedly interested in a recently acquired Toronto Maple Leafs forward. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Bruins were one of the teams interested in Matias Maccelli before he was traded by the Utah Mammoth to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Advertisement "I heard there were three or four teams that were in on Maccelli," Friedman said. "I think Boston was one, and I think Edmonton was one." With Maccelli being a 24-year-old winger who has had past success in the NHL, it is not particularly surprising that the Bruins had him on their radar. It is no secret that their forward group needs more offense, and landing a winger like Maccelli could have helped things a bit on that front. While Maccelli posted just 18 points in 55 games last season with Utah, he is a prime bounce-back candidate heading into 2025-26 with the Maple Leafs. Just back in 2023-24 with the Arizona Coyotes, he recorded 17 goals and 57 points in 82 games. He also recorded 11 goals and 49 points in 64 contests with Arizona back in 2022-23, so there is no question that he can be an impactful forward when playing at his best. Nevertheless, Maccelli would have had the potential to be a strong addition to Boston's middle six. However, the Bruins will instead be facing him more often now that he has been traded to Toronto. NHL Rumors: Bruins Were Interested In New Oilers Forward NHL Rumors: Bruins Were Interested In New Oilers Forward The Advertisement Boston Bruins brought in several new players this off-season. While this is the case, they were reportedly interested in another unrestricted free agent (UFA) who ended up signing with the Edmonton Oilers. Photo Credit: © Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Oilers playoff run gave Edmonton restaurants a boost: Moneris report
Oilers playoff run gave Edmonton restaurants a boost: Moneris report

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Oilers playoff run gave Edmonton restaurants a boost: Moneris report

TORONTO — The Edmonton Oilers failed in their quest to bring the Stanley Cup home, but a new report says their playoff run gave a significant boost to spending at the city's restaurants. The report by payment processor Moneris says spending at restaurants near Rogers Place and across the city was up on game nights when the team was at home. Moneris says spending near the arena was up 58 per cent, while the rest of the city saw a six per cent increase, during the first game of the Stanley Cup final. Game 2, which was also played in Edmonton, saw spending near the rink rise 92 per cent and 10 per cent citywide. Spending for Game 5, which the Oilers lost at home, was up 79 per cent near the arena and up 18 per cent in the rest of Edmonton. The Oilers lost the best-of-seven series in Game 6 in Florida. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2025. The Canadian Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Red Wings Announce Michael Leighton Hired As New Goaltending Coach
Red Wings Announce Michael Leighton Hired As New Goaltending Coach

Yahoo

time2 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Red Wings Announce Michael Leighton Hired As New Goaltending Coach

The Detroit Red Wings had a vacancy to fill after deciding to part ways with goaltending coach Alex Westlund in late April. They've officially filled that position, announcing that former NHL veteran Michael Leighton has accepted the job as Detroit's new goaltending coach. He'll be overseeing Detroit's tandem of John Gibson, who was recently acquired from the Anaheim Ducks, and Cam Talbot, who is entering his second season in Detroit. Advertisement Leighton, who played 110 regular season NHL games, already has a connection to a pair of current Red Wings players. In 2010, he and James van Riemsdyk helped the Philadelphia Flyers advance to the Stanley Cup Final, where they would be defeated by Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks. Kane's wrist shot from a sharp angle slipped under the pads of Leighton shortly into overtime of the decisive Game 6, clinching the first Stanley Cup win for the Blackhawks in 49 years. van Riemsdyk was also on the ice for the Flyers at the time of the infamous Cup-winning goal. It was Philadelphia's first appearance in the Stanley Cup Final since they were swept by the Red Wings in 1997. Advertisement Leighton was originally selected by the Blackhawks in the 1999 NHL Draft after rising through the ranks of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association, the Western Ontario Hockey League, and the Ontario Hockey League. After playing two seasons with the AHL's Norfolk Admirals, Leighton would officially debut in the NHL for the Blackhawks in January of 2003 and recorded a shutout in his first start, a scoreless tie against the Phoenix Coyotes. Leighton then spent brief stints with the Buffalo Sabres, Anaheim Ducks, and Nashville Predators before he began what would be the first of a pair of tenures with the Flyers. While playing with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2009, the club signed former Red Wings goaltender Manny Legace after starter Cam Ward suffered a leg injury, and he was placed on waivers and subsequently claimed by the Flyers. Advertisement Leighton would eventually help lead the Flyers to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final, which included an improbable reverse sweep over the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Semi Final. He recorded three shutouts in the Eastern Conference Final over the Montreal Canadiens, which tied an NHL record for most shutouts by a goaltender in a single postseason series. The bulk of the remainder of Leighton's professional playing career, which lasted until his retirement in 2019, was spent playing in the AHL. Overall, he was named to five All-Star Classic appearances during his time in the AHL , including in 2012, 2016, and 2017. His 50 shutouts are the most by any goaltender in AHL history, and he also holds the AHL record for most saves in a single game, stopping an astounding 98 shots as part of a five-overtime marathon contest while with the Albany River Rats against the Philadelphia Phantoms. Leighton amassed an NHL record of 37-43-14 with a 2.98 goals-against average, a .900 save percentage, and four shutouts. Advertisement He also racked up a 250-186-50 record in 507 AHL games, with a 2.38 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store