Another Strong Game for Gaudette

Canucks’ management have a tough situation on their hands thanks to the exceptional performances Adam Gaudette has turned in this preseason. Last night marked yet another strong performance for the 2018 Hobey Baker Award winner.

When you look at it, there’s not a roster spot on this team for Gaudette. The Canucks are basically set when it comes to their centers, with Elias Pettersson, Bo Horvat, Brandon Sutter, and Jay Beagle. That’s not to say Gaudette is Utica bound for certain, as both he and Sutter are comfortable playing the wing if need be.

Gaudette is playing like a player who knows they won’t be handed a spot on the team. Unfortunately, players in the same boat as Gaudette such as Jake Virtanen and Nikolay Goldobin, haven’t played with that same fire that Gaudette has brought to nearly every game he’s played in this preseason.

Gaudette showed some great chemistry with Sven Baertschi, who in my opinion, could form an extremely effective third or fourth scoring line with one another. The offseason top-six forward acquisitions have a trickle-down effect, and having the ability to slide Baertschi lower in the lineup is something that will be extremely beneficial for the Canucks this season. Just look at this pass from Gaudette to Baertschi.

Last night’s performance from Gaudette revealed that he’s truly doing everything he can to earn a spot on this team, and it was noticed by his coach too:

“He always puts the effort in and he’s here to make the team. He’s shown that.” -Travis Green

The comments Green has been making hint that Gaudette has done enough to earn a spot on the team. General manager Jim Benning showed last season that he isn’t afraid to make tough decisions in order to allow younger players an opportunity to play in the NHL, when he buried Sam Gagner‘s contract in the minors to make room for players like Pettersson and Goldobin.

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If the Canucks send Gaudette to the minors after the performances he’s turned in, what kind of message does that send to their other young players? I doubt this will happen after hearing Green’s comments last night and throughout the preseason, but we’ll have to see if Gaudette forces management’s hand into making a move in order to keep the Hockey Gaud in the NHL.