DETROIT — Adam Gaudette is still waiting for his first game of the season with the San Jose Sharks.

The forward has been a healthy scratch since being activated from injured reserve on Oct. 10 after recovering from an upper-body injury. With San Jose adding several wingers over the summer, Gaudette is competing for a spot in the line-up, despite scoring 36 goals over the past two seasons. He believes his production shows he can contribute at the NHL level on a nightly basis.

The 29-year-old is in the final year of his contract and hopes to earn an extension with the Sharks. In Detroit last week, he discussed the frustration of watching from the sidelines, the coaching staff’s message to be patient, and whether he has considered asking for a trade.

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Gaudette, on staying positive while waiting for another opportunity:

It’s tough. I haven’t played since April, so I want to be out there with the guys, and I want to help them win. I feel like I can contribute to the group. It’s not something that I haven’t experienced before, so I know how to handle it. But when it happens over again, it’s just tough, but nothing I can do other than keep a good attitude, work hard on the ice, and root for the boys, hang out with them on the road and keep a good attitude.

Gaudette, on being told to be patient and wait for his opportunity:

Just patience. That’s all I’ve really been told, is just be patient. They want to see how the group does. So I’m trying to be as patient as possible and wait for my opportunity. I know when I get that opportunity, I’ll take full advantage of it, just like I always have. It’s just a matter of keeping a good head on your shoulders and knowing that opportunity is going to come. Just make sure you’re ready for it.

Gaudette, on competing for a spot after the San Jose Sharks’ off-season additions:

That’s kind of been the case for me every year of my career. Always kind of fighting on the bubble there, competing for a spot. I’m just doing all I can to earn a full-time spot. I just have to keep building off what I’ve been doing the past couple years. 36 goals in the past two years is a pretty solid sign that I can play in this league every night. So, just try to do all I can to prove that I deserve to be in the lineup and that I can help this team win. Just doing whatever I can, keeping a good attitude, having fun with the guys, and just showing up to the rink with a smile on my face every day.

Gaudette, on using limited opportunities to prove he deserves more playing time:

I think that’s always been the case for me. I’ve always felt like I had to prove myself, it’s probably always going to be the case. Although it’s a little more stressful, I wish it wasn’t always like that, but I think that’s when I perform at my best, when my back’s up against the wall and there’s some sort of pressure there. I just wait for that opportunity. I know I can do more than I’ve done, and I’m just trying to earn more minutes, more playing time, and I just want to be able to go out there and give it my all with the opportunities I’m given. I don’t want to look back and say I should have done this more or done that better. I want to be able to say at the end of my career, I gave it all I had. I did what I could with what I was given. There’s no shame in that. Just being ready, any situation, I’m ready to be used. Hopefully catch the eye of the coaches and the staff and earn a little more trust and be used in different situations.

Gaudette, on communication from coaches and watching team play:

Yeah, it’s been good, I think. They said patience. I’m trying to be patient, as best I can, but it sucks as a competitor being out and watching your team either lose or win. It’s always good to watch them win, but when you’re watching tough games that we’re losing, it’s tough to not be out there with them, be in the fight with them, and share the pain of a loss or the happiness of a win together with the guys. But, I’m just trying my best to be patient. As soon as I get that green light to go get in the lineup, I’m going to take full advantage of it.

Gaudette, on whether he would ask the San Jose Sharks for a trade:

I want to play, but I don’t want to do that. Truthfully, I don’t. I’ve been moved around enough. My family likes it here. I love it here. I love the staff, everything about it. I want to play here, but I’ve got to do what’s best for my career. Wherever that leads, the future will dictate that. Trade is not on my mind right now, anything like that. Lots of respect for [Mike] Grier and the coaching staff here, so I don’t feel the need to even be bringing that up yet. But I just hope I get the opportunity here because it’s an unbelievable spot. Great staff, great coaches, great guys in the locker room. So, I just have to be patient and when I get that opportunity, grab it.

Gaudette, on his goal of earning a new contract with the Sharks:

That’s the ideal goal, to earn a new contract here and be here as long as I can, honestly. Like you said, contract year, so there’s a lot on the line here. I’m getting to the second half of my career, and I just want to put myself and my family in the best situation possible. There’s nothing I can really control here. I’m just going out and working, and I believe by being a good person, showing up, having a smile on your face every day, and working hard, good things are going to happen. That’s a recipe for success, regardless of your situation. That’s the only thing I can do right now, just be a good teammate to the guys in the locker room. Cheer them on, hang out with them outside of the rink, have fun on the road, collect cards, create memories with the guys. That’s all I’m focused on right now.