ADAM GAUDETTE - Center - 22 - $.916MM Cap Hit - RFA in 2020-2021
LAST UPDATED 8/29/19
As a former Hobey Baker Winner, expectations were high for Gaudette's NHL debut. Some fans probably expected him to score more, seeing as he scored 60 points in only 38 games in his final NCAA season, but that's not to say that his rookie season was a total disappointment. Sure, the offensive production wasn't there. All year, Gaudette struggled to translate his NCAA scoring success to the professional level, and at times the NHL game just seemed too fast and claustrophobic for him. There are habits you sink into in lower levels of hockey that allow you to score very well, but in the NHL those habits don't work, and as a result it's a real challenge for many young players to find consistent ways to score. Gaudette didn't find those very often, but what he did do successfully was change his playstyle to be able to stick in the NHL. Knowing that his scoring wouldn't be there in his rookie year, Gaudette prioritized grit, versatility, and relentless defensive play in order to keep his spot in the NHL. Gaudette has the size, strength, and work ethic to be a real defensive player, and he flashed that at times in his rookie year. He can still be caught out of position or outmuscled for pucks, but he has all the makings of an impact defensive forward within him. Offensively, Gaudette needs to get stronger on the puck to be able to produce more consistently. His skating isn't at the level where it alone would allow him to create chances, so he needs to find a way to grit & grind his way to the space with the puck he needs to create plays. I think that Gaudette can definitely become a 50-ish point player, but he'll need to gain some bulk and get bigger with the puck on his stick. He's still a high-end prospect, don't let his low scoring numbers fool you, but there are a few things he definitely needs to do if he wants to become an impact NHL player.
As a former Hobey Baker Winner, expectations were high for Gaudette's NHL debut. Some fans probably expected him to score more, seeing as he scored 60 points in only 38 games in his final NCAA season, but that's not to say that his rookie season was a total disappointment. Sure, the offensive production wasn't there. All year, Gaudette struggled to translate his NCAA scoring success to the professional level, and at times the NHL game just seemed too fast and claustrophobic for him. There are habits you sink into in lower levels of hockey that allow you to score very well, but in the NHL those habits don't work, and as a result it's a real challenge for many young players to find consistent ways to score. Gaudette didn't find those very often, but what he did do successfully was change his playstyle to be able to stick in the NHL. Knowing that his scoring wouldn't be there in his rookie year, Gaudette prioritized grit, versatility, and relentless defensive play in order to keep his spot in the NHL. Gaudette has the size, strength, and work ethic to be a real defensive player, and he flashed that at times in his rookie year. He can still be caught out of position or outmuscled for pucks, but he has all the makings of an impact defensive forward within him. Offensively, Gaudette needs to get stronger on the puck to be able to produce more consistently. His skating isn't at the level where it alone would allow him to create chances, so he needs to find a way to grit & grind his way to the space with the puck he needs to create plays. I think that Gaudette can definitely become a 50-ish point player, but he'll need to gain some bulk and get bigger with the puck on his stick. He's still a high-end prospect, don't let his low scoring numbers fool you, but there are a few things he definitely needs to do if he wants to become an impact NHL player.
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