Sharks’ Adam Gaudette Out With Upper-Body Injury

According to Max Miller of Sharks Hockey Digest, San Jose Sharks forward Adam Gaudette will miss the next few days with an upper-body injury. Gaudette is unlikely to play in the Sharks’ first preseason contest against the Anaheim Ducks tomorrow afternoon.

While missing a few days due to injury is usually unimportant for Gaudette, this preseason carries larger implications. San Jose has several younger forwards aiming to secure spots on the opening night roster, so any days Gaudette misses could have significant consequences.

To put it lightly, Gaudette’s spot on the roster is no longer guaranteed. The 29-year-old winger is entering the final season of a two-year, $4MM contract with the Sharks and was injured for a decent chunk of the 2025-26 season.

Despite missing 16 games, Gaudette still contributed valuable secondary scoring. He’s not much of a playmaker, but Gaudette finished the 2025-26 season with 17 goals and 25 points in 66 games with a -9 rating, averaging 11:28 of ice time per game. Adding in his 2024-25 season with the Ottawa Senators, Gaudette has scored 36 goals in his previous 147 games.

Given their access to prospect capital, the Sharks could replace Gaudette’s offensive skills at a lower cost. San Jose isn’t hurting for cap space, but they’ll have to give their younger players some NHL opportunities sooner rather than later. Once Gaudette returns from his upper-body injury to finish off the preseason, it’ll be interesting to see if his role with the Sharks changes.