On Saturday night, the Seattle Kraken may not have come away with the win against the Utah Mammoth, but veteran forward Frederick Gaudreau had a moment worth celebrating-his 100th NHL assist. It came on a slick sequence that showcased exactly why Gaudreau continues to be a steady, reliable presence on the ice.
With just two minutes left in regulation, the Kraken were chasing the game. Utah fired a shot on net, but Philipp Grubauer stood tall with the initial save.
Eeli Tolvanen was quick on the rebound and wasted no time moving the puck up to Gaudreau. From there, Freddy did what he does best-he found space, kept his head up, and made the smart play.
Skating through the neutral zone with Chandler Stephenson on his wing, Gaudreau waited until just the right moment. As they crossed the blue line, he slid a pass to Stephenson, who drove hard to the net and tucked the puck five-hole on Karel Vejmelka to tie the game.
It was a textbook transition play-clean, efficient, and clutch. For Gaudreau, it was assist No. 100 in his NHL career, a milestone nearly a decade in the making.
Gaudreau’s NHL journey began back on November 29, 2016, when he picked up his first assist in just his third game with the Nashville Predators. He’d go on to spend parts of three seasons in Nashville, adding four more assists to his total before the Predators opted not to re-sign him after the 2018-19 campaign.
From there, it was a stop in Pittsburgh, where he picked up eight more assists in a single season with the Penguins. Again, he found himself unsigned at season’s end, but Minnesota came calling, and that’s where Gaudreau’s game really found its groove.
In his first season with the Wild in 2021-22, he put together a career year-44 points, including 19 assists. Over the next three seasons in Minnesota, he added 48 more helpers, consistently carving out a role as a dependable two-way forward with offensive upside.
After the 2024-25 season, the Wild traded Gaudreau to Seattle in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. And while he’s not lighting up the scoreboard, he’s been exactly what the Kraken hoped for: a savvy, versatile veteran who can slot in wherever he’s needed. Through 34 games in a Kraken sweater, Gaudreau has chipped in nine assists and four goals, good for 13 points.
He’s been anchoring the fourth line alongside Ryan Winterton and Tye Kartye, and while injuries have forced him up and down the lineup, it’s with that fourth line where he’s found the most chemistry. Gaudreau brings a calming presence to the ice-he doesn’t force plays, he reads the game well, and he’s always in the right spot.
Reaching 100 career assists is a testament to Gaudreau’s perseverance and adaptability. He’s not the flashiest player on the ice, but he’s the kind of guy every coach wants in the room and on the bench-a player who knows his role, plays it well, and shows up when it matters.
For a Kraken team still building its identity, having a player like Gaudreau hit a milestone like this is more than just a stat-it’s a reminder of the value of experience, consistency, and doing the little things right.