Adam Gaudette discusses expectations, what he wants to accomplish with Sharks | NBC Sports CA

Adam Gaudette discusses expectations, what he wants to accomplish with Sharks | NBC Sports CA

Coming off a career year over in Ottawa, enter free agency, people come to you. What was it about San Jose Sharks that made it the right fit for you? I think just the opportunity and um you know in being now an older guy and a little bit experience helping out with the younger guys. Um you know there’s obviously a lot of Massachusetts connections on this team too and a lot of history between some guys that go back to you know when I was a kid. So, it just felt like the right fit. And um you know, obviously the weather’s really nice here, too. So, that was a big plus. Who who’d you know for the longest here? Uh actually, I’ I’ve known Colin White since um I don’t know, we were 10 years old, maybe playing hockey, baseball together. So, I’ve known him. And then um you know, I think R’s seen me since I playing hockey around the rinks in Mass since I was a kid. and um you know um Warzo’s from a couple towns over from me and um you know just a lot of East Coast Massachusetts connections that you know felt very appealing to me. Does that make the trans It’s got to make the transition a lot easier when you’re doing that. Absolutely. especially, you know, not just that. I I’ve played with a handful of guys um before and, you know, it just made it easier coming in here and and getting the lay of the land, getting to know the other guys, and um you know, it’s always easier when you have stuff in common with with uh the group you’re coming into, and it just makes it easier to adjust. You signed a two year a two-way deal with the Senators last year. That’s basically betting on yourself, right? Like you’re going to go and then you never really sniff the miners after that. Well, how what did you feel like you accomplished in that season? I think I just proved that I’m an everyday NHL player. Um, you know, I I think I’ve gained trust from coaches and management and I was able to, you know, prove that, um, you know, I can do it and I can I can be effective and I can chip in to help win games. Um, you know, whatever my role is on the team, uh, I can fulfill that role and and just help out any way I can. 35 close games for the San Jose Sharks last year by NHL standards. What makes you believe that this group can take that next step that’s needed to compete for a playoff spot? I think uh you know the younger guys having some experience in the league and and seeing what it’s like to to uh you know battle and play against um you know best players in the world every night and you know now that they got few years under their belts and some confidence and you know we can we can build off that and um you know there’s a lot of learning when you get into the league uh you know I’m still learning at my eighth year in the league and you know I think every year you just get a little bit better and um you know I think there’s stuff that We realized what we needed to work on from last year and we’re gonna apply it pretty quickly in camp and uh you know get everybody on the same page and then we’ll get rolling. What was it like going against Mlin and Will last year? They were impressive for sure. Uh I remember talking in the locker room about uh just how you know not not just how skilled they are but how good they are uh thinking the game and defensively and making the right decisions and you know not just out there for for points. Um, so I think that as young guys they have a very mature game game style uh along with the skill and the skating and and you know the points that they put up um you know it’s very effective Hobie Baker thing probably around those things. Right. Right. Um Zach was Chuck was over there too, right? So you get that transition as well. What are you trying to accomplish here in in your first season with San Jose? uh just build off of my season last year and you know be a be a guy who can help chip in in secondary score and uh guy who could play on the penalty penalty kill in all situations and you know wherever I’m needed that’s where I’m going to go and do to my do that to the best of my abilities and I think I could chip in both offensively and defensively. It’s Olympic year so it’s not only big for you guys trying to make that roster have great first half but also NBC obviously we like we like the Olympics. What are some of your favorite win uh winter Olympic memories? Oh man. Um, I remember, you know, just being on family vacations come the Olympic break up in New Hampshire, skiing with the family and, um, you know, just I think, uh, that gold medal game that Crosby scored, the game winner, uh, against the US, uh, you know, obviously I’m rooting for the US, but it’s still just cool to see the best in the world uh, play with each other, uh, play together and against each other. And I was a big fan of Shawn White growing up and watching the snowboard and halfpike and uh I think the downhill skiing and and the snowboarding and um you know the halfpike and then you got the uh races that they do. Uh you know it’s it’s just fun to see different sports. You know it’s sports that aren’t on TV every day and um you know you get to watch football every week and baseball and basketball. So, it’s pretty cool to see these other sports that people train their whole lives for and and just to make it to the Olympics and and see them perform on the biggest stage. Other than the acquisitions that Mike Greer went out and got to bring into this group, uh the stadium lease agreement with San Jose is probably the biggest news from your standpoint, a player and free agent when they come into a stable franchise. What does that kind of show you about the area and what you’re getting yourself into? Yeah, I mean you you know it’s just like anything you you want to go into a place that has stability and and um you know you know you’re going to be there for a while and have a great uh relationship with the fans and people working the arena. So um you know it’s definitely more comfortable as a new player coming in where you know you have that stability and you’re able to you know start making this place your home. Dad, right? Dad, I’m a dad. I have a four-year-old and a 16-month-old. So, one of the topics I’m talking to all the dads is just kind of that part of your life and becoming a dad. What did how did that change you? I I think it definitely made me a better person. U made forced me to grow up a little bit and and mature more and uh especially after two. Like like one was pretty easy, but now now when you got two, it’s a whole different ball game. But uh man, it’s just been so much fun, especially now that my three-year-old’s getting into hockey. He’s skating now. Loves sports. and you know, he just wants to hang out with dad all the time, whereas our fourmonth-old still loves his mama. But, uh, you know, it’s just been it’s so much fun uh to see him learn new things and come home from school and learning new words or, uh, figuring out things on their by themselves and just seeing it click in their head when they light up and figure something out. Um, you know, it’s it’s a lot of fun and it’s even more special that I get to share uh my career with them and they get to see the behind thes scenes access even though they probably have no idea what’s going on. And um, you know, any kid uh would be lucky to be able to experience this and they don’t realize it yet, but I’m sure they’ll appreciate it once they get older. Four month man, you’re in the sleep wars, huh? How’s how’s the sleep going? All right. Sleeping 13 hours. Oh, there you go. That’s perfect. Hey, great sleep. Hit a little hiccup the past couple nights. wake up quick bottle back to sleep. But both our kids slept sleep great, so that’s awesome. We’re lucky. Uh you’re just getting to know the area a little bit, but what are some things that you’re looking forward to maybe doing with them on your off days? Uh my wife really wants to go to Napa. Okay. So I um you know, I like red wine and and uh I’m very interested to see up there. Uh we really want to go to a 49ers game. Um, and uh, if I could swing it too, now that I got the two kids, I don’t know if I’ll be able to swing it, but I’d love to go down, check out Pebble Beach one day and maybe play around there. But, uh, just seems like there’s so much to do. Uh, we’d like to get up north if we have the time, see the mountains, uh, see Tahoe and, um, you know, head down to Santana Row and and and check out, uh, the spots there. Heard there’s a lot of great food and just seems like there’s endless things to do here, which is great because it keeps uh, us. There’s stuff for the family to do when we’re away. And um yeah. What’s it like those pregame warm-ups where where the kids are all on the glass and you get to go be dad dad the hockey player for that that that brief moment? Yeah, it’s fun. Um I think my my oldest really started to get it last year and really enjoyed it and brought him a puck every game and you know he’s got a bag of 82 pucks at home right now so he’s just collecting them. But uh it’s definitely special to see them uh see you in uniform up close on the ice and they’re all excited and and you get to share that moment with them. What is it about opening night that still makes you feel like a kid? Well, I think just, you know, a long summer of training and and you know, it’s nice to be home and to rest, but there’s only so many skill skates and workouts that you can do before you start uh wanting to get back into the action. And you know, the start of every season, whether it’s the NHL or college or wherever you’re playing, is always exciting. And you know, that’s why you play the game. You get to play a game for your job. So when that first game comes around, everybody’s excited and chomping at the bit to get going. Talk said 49er game 81 is a kind of a football number. Is is there a story behind that? I’ve always my number’s always been eight. Um, high school, college, uh, but ever since I turned pro in the NHL, I’ve never been able to wear eight. So, um, I wore 81 last year and had a good year with it. So, I I like this number and I think it’s my new number now. But, you know, uh, Randy Moss and the Patriots, you could go you can name and I don’t know how many guys football players, but uh, when I think of 81, I think of Moss back when he signed with the Pats and played a couple years with Tom Brady. Do you have a cork, a equipment cork that’s off the wall or have you heard of one or witnessed one? Not really. I guess my stick’s probably the shortest on the team. I use a really short stick. Uh, and I I’ve always noticed I’ve always, even with the smaller guys, my stick’s been a little shorter. So, I guess that’s a little quirk. Um, uh, nothing that really comes to mind, though. Okay. And then some theme nights. Our first game is WWE night. Are you wrestling fan or enjoying a little bit of it? Yeah, I mean, I I I keep up a little bit like on on online and stuff, but I used to be a big fan when I was younger. Me and my brothers would watch um mostly just Friday Night Smackdown because we weren’t allowed to stay up for Monday Night Raw. Yeah. But uh yeah, I’m excited about that. I There’s a lot of celebrities now that were ex wrestlers and now they’re coming back in into the programs and and making their comebacks. So, it’s cool to see. Who would you pick as a tag team partner from from this group? My favorite’s always been Oh, from our team? Yeah. From your team? Oh, um probably Desi. He’s got to be the biggest one, right? Yeah. Yeah. Probably him. Got to go the biggest. Uh, and then another theme night is Barry Unite where they talk about other pro franchise and stuff. Earthquakes are coming. What’s your favorite sport to go to as a fan? Probably football. Football. Um, you know, I think they always say it’s best to watch football on on TV than live, but uh I went to my first NFL game last year in Seattle and it was a blast and I’m just a huge football fan. Uh, but I really love watching baseball live, too. Mhm. Went to a socks Yankees game, Yankee Stadium this this summer and uh the Socks smacked them so it was it was a treat. All right. And then the last one is NextGen. Talking kind of about kids. That’s another night. How did you originally get into hockey? My dad just stuck me on skates when I was when I was young when I was about 2 years old. And um you know he said uh stop your crying and get back out there. And uh once I turned three I started to you know really get into it and like it more. and uh it just took off from there. All right, that’s all I got for you. Appreciate you. Thanks so much. Nice meeting you. Thank you.

Sharks center Adam Gaudette joins NBC Sports California’s Alan Hoshida to discuss his transition to San Jose and more entering the 2025-26 NHL season.

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Adam Gaudette discusses expectations, what he wants to accomplish with Sharks | NBC Sports CA