Tampa Bay a potential landing spot for Adam Gaudette in free agency
NHL free agency officially begins one month from today and the rumor mills are beginning to spin, including one that could have the Tampa Bay Lightning making waves in the Atlantic Division.
When free agency opens in July, Lightning veteran forwards Yanni Gourde, Cam Atkinson, and Luke Glendening all become unrestricted free agents, however, so does Ottawa Senator star forward, Adam Gaudette. And many analysts are beginning to think the Lightning could attempt to pursue Gaudette.
With Gourde, Atkinson, and Glendening all set to become unrestricted free agents, the Lightning would be in need of help to assist and lead their secondary scoring , and Gaudette could be a strong addition for that role in the bottom six.
Gaudette is coming off of a breakout season in which he scored 19 goals, had seven assists, 26 points, and was +12 on the season. His 19 goals was a career-high in a season for the 28-year old from Masachusetts. This is his second stint with the Senators. He was also with the Senators organization in 2021-22, whether he had four goals, eight assists, and 12 points. This has been his best season since 2019-2020 with Vancouver.
Like the Lightning, the Senators also clinched a spot in the postseason, but made an early exit. However, Gaudette was a key factor in their postseason offense. In game two of their series against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Gaudette scored the game-tying goal in the third period of game two and in game five he had the primary assist on a Dylan Cozens’ goal that forced a turnover.
Come July, the Senators will be forced to decide whether or not they want to keep Gaudette. However, should they decide not to, or if the Lightning offer more, he could be headed to Florida. Based on the season he had in 2025, Evolving Hockey predicts Gaudette to be signed for an annual average value of $1.28 million.
Along with the Lightning, analysts are predicting the Montreal Canadians as another team that could purse Gaudette.
The question that stands is, who offers him most? And does Gaudette choose to return to Ottawa, does he consider Florida, or Montreal; or does another team come in as a surprise favorite landing spot for the righty?
Teams may begin talking with unrestricted free agents on July 1st at 12:00PM.