Gaudette traded to Blackhawks by Canucks
Vancouver receives Highmore in swap of forwards
By
NHL.com @NHLdotcom
Gaudette has scored seven points (four goals, three assists) in 33 games this season. The center can become a restricted free agent after the season.
Selected by Vancouver in the fifth round (No. 149) of the 2015 NHL Draft, Gaudette has scored 52 points (21 goals, 33 assists) in 153 regular-season games and no points in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"Obviously, we saw him a lot last year when we played them," Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton said. "He's big and skilled, I think he scored, made some plays against us, but still a young player. We'll get him here and go from there."
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Gaudette scored three points (two goals, one assist) in three games against Chicago last season.
Gaudette was removed from the NHL COVID-19 protocol list Sunday. He was placed on the list March 30, the first of 22 Vancouver players and four staff members to test positive for a variant of the coronavirus. The Canucks haven't played since March 24 and have had eight games postponed. Vancouver remains scheduled to play the Edmonton Oilers on Friday.
"Adam's a right-handed center, a good-sized kid (6-foot-1, 170 pounds), and he's coming off a good season last year," Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said. " … We're trying to recapture some of that. As far as the COVID situation, yeah, he was on the list and … I talked to him today and he's excited, he can't wait to get to Chicago and get back on the ice. So, from that perspective, it should be all systems go."
Highmore has two assists in 24 games this season. The 25-year-old forward, who was signed by Chicago as an undrafted free agent March 2, 2017, has scored 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 73 games with the Blackhawks. He can become a restricted free agent after next season.
"My game style is to bring energy," Highmore said. "I want to get in on the forecheck, create turnovers, be responsible defensively and ultimately get the puck to the front of the net. That's the way I like to play hockey."
Vancouver (16-18-3) is sixth in the seven-team Scotia North Division, eight points behind the fourth-place Montreal Canadiens.
Chicago (19-18-5) is fifth in the Discover Central Division, four points behind the fourth-place Nashville Predators, and visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday (7 p.m. ET; NHLN, TVAS, BSOH, NBCSCH, NHL.TV).
"Obviously when you're with a guy for several years, you have a relationship," Colliton said. "One thing you appreciate about Highmore is his work ethic and attention to detail. Probably, it's hard to find a bigger team guy with his willingness to do the right thing for the team at all times. He's done well with the opportunity that he's gotten. From his standpoint, hopefully he can use this to get a little boost and new opportunity."
Highmore said he hopes he can continue to develop his game in Vancouver.
"I do believe I'm close," he said. "I don't believe it's necessarily for a lack of chances. If I was to go back through this year, I think I've had a good amount of chances. Sometimes they just don't go in. S, I think I'm close. Sometimes it's a little bit of a confidence thing too and I'm looking forward to doing anything I can to help the team."
The top four teams in each of the four divisions will qualify for the playoffs.
The Blackhawks also acquired forward prospects Josh Dickinson and Ryder Rolston in a trade from the Colorado Avalanche for forward Carl Soderberg on Monday, and traded forward
Mattias Janmark
to the Vegas Golden Knights for two draft picks.
"Want to thank Carl and Mattias for professional approach," Bowman said. "They brought something unique to the group and they did a very good job, put us in a position to where we could allow our young players to grow and they did that and they've shown progress, taking steps and they're playing bigger roles up and down our lineup. That's put us in this position where we're now able to move them along."
NHL.com staff writer Tracey Myers and independent correspondent Kevin Woodley contributed to this report
