Flyers Trade Cutter Gauthier to Anaheim
The Flyers have traded star prospect Cutter Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks in return for defensemen Jamie Drysdale and a second round pick in the 2025 draft. This might seem like the craziest thing that could possibly happen but there is a good reason for it.
Cutter Gauthier just came off of an impressive performance at the World Junior Championship this past week. He led the tournament with 12 points in route to America’s gold medal win over host country Sweden. Gauthier is nineteen years old and is currently playing his second year of college hockey for Boston College. The young American was drafted 5th overall by the Flyers in the 2022 NHL entry draft. When he was drafted Cutter stated that he was eager and existed to be playing for the Flyers. But rumor has it that all that changed over this past summer. When communication stopped between the Gauthier camp and the Flyers.
It is speculated that relations between Gauthier and Flyers went south during the summer of 2023. Either from conversations Gauthier had with former Flyer Kevin Hayes who had a falling out with the organization and was traded to St. Louis in June. Or the fact the Cutter wanted to turn pro while General Manager Danny Briere wanted him to developed for one more season while playing college hockey. Both stories have not been completely validated at this point and we may never know the true reason for why Cutter did not want to play for Philadelphia. The Kevin Hayes story comes from Anthony SanFilippo, which Hayes himself has already claimed is false.
Cutter Gauthier elected not to come to Flyers development camp this past summer which should have been one of the first warning signs to the public. Travis Sanheim stated after Monday night’s game
“so obviously as a player in the locker room, that was something that stayed with us. For as long as I know, you show up to development camp whether you skate or not.”
If this has been a situation brewing within the organization for the past six months it has been impressive that they were able to keep it a secret this long. As there have been rumors that Gauthier was being shopped at this past draft. As well as 15-20 teams that the Flyers were in conversation with regarding a trade.
One thing that is constant throughout the organization from Head Coach John Tortorella, General Manager Danny Briere, President Keith Jones and CEO Dan Hilferty i if you don’t want to be a Flyer, you’re not going to be a Flyer.
Keith Jones and Danny Briere traveled to Sweden as a last chance opportunity to reach Gauthier.
“His value would never be higher than after it was the World Junior Championships.” said Jones.
During a press conference Danny Briere stated that Gauthier changed his mind multiple times about playing in Philadelphia. And the reason why the organization kept it a secret was to protect the young play incase things would work out.
Coach Tortorella also had an amazing sound bit after the Pittsburgh game.
“I don’t known Cutter from a hole in the wall. I’m not too interested in talking about him. I’ll rather talk about Jamie he’s the guy coming here.”
Jamie Drysdale is 21 year old right handed defensemen who was drafted sixth overall in the 2020 draft by the Ducks. Through 123 NHL games he has 8 goals and 37 assists. Drysdale did miss most of last season with a torn labrum. Jamie Drysdale could be a player like Owen Tippett, one who performed well but not up to his potential with their former club. And then really excel in a new environment.
Photo by Rena Laverty
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