Defenseman Michael Gaudet has been sent to the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL by the St. Louis Blues. The 22-year-old is now entering his third straight season with the Thunderbirds.
The long road from Moncton to the 152nd overall pick
Michael Gaudet's journey to the professional ranks began in the QMJHL, where the Moncton, N.B. native developed his game across three different teams. According to the report, Gaudet played for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan, the Chicoutimi Sagueneens, and the Sherbrooke Phoenix before catching the eye of NHL scouts. His tenure in junior hockey culminated in a productive 2022-23 season, where he recorded 15 goals and 61 points in 66 games split between Chicoutimi and Sherbrooke.
The St. Louis Blues originally selected Michael Gaudet in the fifth round of the 2022 NHL Draft, taking him at No. 152 overall. this late-round selection often requires a slower developmental curve, which is evident in Gaudet's professional trajectory. He did not jump straight to the AHL,instead spending time with the ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears in 2023-24 and later the Florida Everblades, gradually proving he could handle the physical demands of the pro game.
A 20-point contribution and the shadow of Calle Rosen
During the 2025-26 season, Michael Gaudet established himself as a legitimate offensive threat from the blue line. As the report says, Gaudet collected five goals and 20 points across 53 games with the Springfield Thunderbirds. This performance placed him as the second-highest scoring defender for the Thunderbirds, trailing only Calle Rosen.
Gaudet's impact extended into the postseason, where the 6'3", left-shot defenseman added one goal and four points in 11 playoff appearances. This ability to contribute offensively while maintaining a significant physical presence makes him a versatile asset for the Springfield Thunderbirds, even as he struggles to break into the primary St. Louis Blues roster.
The $877,500 cap hit and the 2026-27 deadline
From a financial and contractual perspective, Michael Gaudet is approaching a pivotal crossroads. he is currently under a contract that runs through the end of the 2026-27 season, carrying an NHL cap hit of $877,500. Because he is entering the final year of his entry-level deal,the upcoming season will largely deetrmine his future with the organization.
If Michael Gaudet cannot secure a permanent spot with the St. Louis Blues this year, he will become a restricted free agent next summer. for a fifth-round pick, the transition from an entry-level contract to a standard NHL deal is the ultimate litmus test of whether a prospect is viewed as a core piece of the franchise or a depth player for the AHL.
The 'non-game group' and pending cuts at Enterprise Center
The immediate outlook for Michael Gaudet is sobering, as he has been placed in the "non-game group" during the St. Louis Blues training camp. This designation means he will not participate in the preseason game scheduled at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, signaling that the coaching staff views him as an extra defenseman rather than a candidate for the opening night roster.
While Gaudet's assignment to the Springfield Thunderbirds is confirmed, the full scope of the St. Louis Blues' roster cleanup remains unclear. It is still unknown how many additional players the Blues intend to cut from their training camp roster in the coming days, or if other defensive prospects will be joining Gaudet in Springfield to bolster the AHL affiliate.
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