Player Discussion Adam Gaudette (C/RW)Claimed off Waivers from Chicago

[KnuckChuckinTkachuk]

MacEwen has consistently been really physical and is willing to drop the gloves, I have a hard time taking him out, particularly when the 4th line has been our most consistent all year.

He average's 8mins of TOI a game, by far the lowest on the team. Everyone else is over 10 mins a game. If anyone can afford to be the 13th forward and sit every now and again, it's MacEwen.

 

[jbeck5]

He average's 8mins of TOI a game, by far the lowest on the team. Everyone else is over 10 mins a game. If anyone can afford to be the 13th forward and sit every now and again, it's MacEwen.

I wouldn't mind it. Honestly, they should probably all get a game off except Gaudette.

I would have said no to MacEwan a couple weeks ago when he was flying out there but he seems to have slowed down quite a bit, so he could use a game.

But I love his physical play. I gave him shit in preseason but I'll admit he's been good in that department this year so far.

He was flying after that LA game. Every time he got the puck he would rush the zone to create something at full flight. Now he seems to be getting pucks at half speed and dumping it in and going for the hits...which is nice, but I miss the full speed ahead play in the neutral zone that he was doing that reminded me of Kessel on the Leafs, but not because they're drastically different haha.

 

[frightenedinmatenum2]

Crazy theory:

Adam Gaudette has always been an excellent goal scorer, but his defence (and skating?) have always lacked.

I think he's a late bloomer that had the discipline to finally put it together, and is now sitting on the precipice of his emergence as a 2nd-line player for the next five years.

This aint no Alex Chiasson or Dom Kubalik statline. The eye test backs up the numbers.

He's never had a big deal before. He's not so rich that he would bet on himself and shoot down a guaranteed $10M contract.

Let's give it to him. Lock him up for a 5-year/$10M deal right now.

Best case scenario we get the best middle-six contract in the league. Worst case scenario he's a $2M 4th line center for a few seasons then we buy out the rest.

I'd take that bet.

I appreciate your enthusiasm for him, but at this point he would probably very seriously consider any extension that guaranteed him 1 way money for 1 or more seasons.

He has been fantastic in his role, but he has shown nothing to the effect that he will be a top 6 forward or a star.

Expansion is coming soon, so if he can leverage his strong play and his obvious relationship with Green into another 2-3 years as a 4th liner/PP specialist, another 23 roster spots in the league might guarantee that he sticks around for longer.

 

[dumbdick]

He has been fantastic in his role, but he has shown nothing to the effect that he will be a top 6 forward or a star.

I didn't say he'll be a star or a bonafide top-6 player. I said best case scenario he could be playing in the middle six on a very cheap deal.

He has one less goal than stutzle this season (same number as crosby) while playing about 10:30 a night on our 4th line.

He led the AHL in goals last season. I bet he'll hit 20 goals this season. Your standards are way too high if you consider that "showing nothing".

He's 28. He's not going to be a star or keep up that pace.

But personally, I think the eye test shows he's playing right and taken a step both offensively and defensively. I think we're seeing a talented player that's gotten over some of the warts that were keeping him from cementing himself in the league. I think he's gonna lock down a 3rd line role permanently somewhere soon.

And I'd be willing to gamble on some cheap term with him.