Gaudet graduated to professional hockey in the 2023-2024 season, and has bounced between the ECHL and AHL. He has yet to earn a point at the AHL level in 13 games split between two seasons, and has 10 points and 26 assists in 67 ECHL games. His game in the ECHL picked up in 2024-2025, scoring four goals and six assists in 12 games, and he will need to build on that growth and show it can be done in the AHL before he can be viewed a real competitor for a spot on the Blues’ NHL back end.

In his first game of this preseason, Gaudet struggled. He wasn’t able to showcase his offensive skills, and defensively, he had a tough time with blown coverage and being beaten on zone entries. He finished the game with only 9:31 of ice time and an expected goals for percentage of just 36%. Given this performance, I anticipate that he will be sent down to the AHL, and he may not be a fantasy-relevant option this year.

Gaudet’s stocks have been consistently rising since his draft in 2022. Last season, he ranked fifth in points among defensemen in the QMJHL with 61 points in 66 games, and fifth in goals with 15. This season, he is going to take a significant step forward in competition as he qualified to play in the AHL. This will allow the Blues to see Gaudet in a less offensive-friendly environment and see what they have in this 5th round pick.