Confirmed with Link: [ANA/PHI] Cutter Gauthier for Jamie Drysdale and 2025 2nd round pick

[Rybread86]

i would really like to know why he didn't want to play or even talk to Flyers management. sounds like he was all for joining them when he was drafted now a a complete 180 turn. doubt we'll ever know tho

General consensus from Flyers board with a few sources sounds to be Torts

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

Unless you think Drysdale will be much better than Mintyukov, Luneau, and Zellweger I don’t see why you wouldn’t like this trade.

I'd take Drysdale over Luneau and Zellweger. Donno about Mintyukov though.

I don't love the trade but I understand it. Personally I'm hesitant on trading away a d prospect like Drysdale after we gave up on Montour and Theodore only to have them become elite D-men. With that said, the Ducks have been terrible at drafting forwards and desperately need help there as there is obviously nothing coming to help the top 6 and given that we had to pay someone like Killorn a ridiculous price to come here, I'm guessing the Ducks aren't a hot spot for talent right now.

 

[CrazyDuck4u]

I'd take Drysdale over Luneau and Zellweger. Donno about Mintyukov though.

I don't love the trade but I understand it. Personally I'm hestitant on trading away a d prospect like Drysdale after we gave up on Montour and Theodore only to have them become elite D-men elsewhere while we ended up with nothing.

Montour and Theodore are not elite.. they are great offensive defensemen that are playing in a system. That supports there roles

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Jones is gone. I said this long ago. PV doesn't like players with a lot of injury problems. It's way he lowballed Lindholm and Manson and ran them out.

From what I recall, Manson wasn't even given a chance for an extension. With Lindholm, Verbeek didn't want the 8-year wifey commitment. Instead, he offered a shorter term deal with a high AAV b/c like Leonardo DiCaprio, Verbeek's got an age limit.

I dunno about the injury problems thing. Vaak is still around, but then again, Vaak was a Verbeek pickup.

 

[Rybread86]

It's a pretty jarring trade, but confused at the 2025 2nd round pick heading to Philly. Drysdale's a proven product at the NHL level while Cutter is still a prospect.

I think had it not been for the injuries, this could have been a 1-for-1 trade. The 2nd was essentially injury protection.

I know people don't like to admit it but Drysdales injuries are concerning.

I think Beeker tossed that in with the thought he could make up for it when trading a guy like Henrique. Use what you got as capital, make up for it where you can

 

[Hockey Duckie]

i would really like to know why he didn't want to play or even talk to Flyers management. sounds like he was all for joining them when he was drafted now a a complete 180 turn. doubt we'll ever know tho

It happens with collegians. Thrun did a similar thing. Nesterenko also did it too, which is how we got him. Plus side is that all three prospects informed their drafting team that they were not going to sign with them so the drafting team can regain some asset(s).

 

[Kalv]

I like the trade more and more, but it is obviously tough to see someone like Jamie go. Bit someone HAD to go. I can see the logic why Jamie - undersized and dealt with a lot of injuries.

Gauthier has some decent top6 potential, seems he's mature guy as well. Adds size and scoring.

Btw, turns out Bob is with the Flyers:

 

[Rybread86]

Montour and Theodore are not elite.. they are great offensive defensemen that are playing in a system. That supports there roles

Theo isn't elite but he would be the best Dman on our roster, and I say that as an avid Fowler honk.

But yes, neither are elite. Theo is a 1 and Montour is a 1/2
Both benefit from the systems.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

I think had it not been for the injuries, this could have been a 1-for-1 trade. The 2nd was essentially injury protection.

I know people don't like to admit it but Drysdales injuries are concerning.

I think Beeker tossed that in with the thought he could make up for it when trading a guy like Henrique. Use what you got as capital, make up for it where you can

We're dealing with a lot of "what if's". That's some serious overpayment for a player that a team cannot sign.

 

[Guadana]

Hey from Devils fan. I'm jealous. Gauthier was my top-4 player on the draft. Always liked him. Much more than Drysdale. Ducks with everything they have with Mintyukov, Luneau and Zellweger, should have no regrets. Top 6 is awesome
Just give them time, be patient. Next draft pick will help too.

 

[bracer028]

Why are there people crying about us giving up a 2nd rounder? According to you guys a guy picked 15th or higher in the first round arent even considered nhlers

 

[Rybread86]

We're dealing with a lot of "what if's". That's some serious overpayment for a player that a team cannot sign.

Fair but in the drafting and trade world, it's a bunch of "what ifs".

Drysdale does have a defensive hole and injury history.

 

[duckaroosky]

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

Montour and Theodore are not elite.. they are great offensive defensemen that are playing in a system. That supports there roles

They are absolutely elite. Saying otherwise is copiuim. If you look at most people's team Canada roster, many would have one of these or both on it. If you can make the best country's team in a best on best environment, you're elite.

 

[Hey234]

The general premise is that you trade from a position of strength for elite players when available. This seems to be that. The 2nd was to beat out other teams. Statistically speaking, the 2nd has low odds of becoming a high impact player and it usually takes them years. It doesn't fit the timeline which is why it was 2025. The Ducks have plenty of mid range players. High end, big, good skating scoring forwards are hard to find.

All that being said, it's shocking and I'm going to miss Drysdale. In a one for one comparison, it will be interesting see over time. Both teams take big risks but the Flyers had no choice.

 

[Rybread86]

They are absolutely elite. Saying otherwise is copiuim. If you look at most people's team Canada roster, many would have one of these or both on it. If you can make the best country's team in a best on best environment, you're elite.

Eh, I get your sentiment but this can get complicated depending on who you are and how you view things. There are very few that I would consider "elite". Elite, for me, is top 8. Theo and Montour are top 20, maybe even 25.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

Fair but in the drafting and trade world, it's a bunch of "what ifs".

Drysdale does have a defensive hole and injury history.

Does Drysdale have a defensive hole? He looked like he was our best defenseman.

 

[McDonald19]

I liked Drysdale, didn't have as high of hopes or expectations for him that many did, but I still expected him to be a 2/3 and a PP specialist

Same here. There are deficiencies in his game (soft, undersized, injury prone) that will prevent him from being a #1 D or maybe even a #2 D. He is fun to watch skate though.

 

[Rybread86]

Does Drysdale have a defensive hole? He looked like he was our best defenseman.

You can go off his limited time back, but I'll go off of a longer track record. He was looking MUCH better when he came back. And maybe that was him turning that corner, but now you're playing "what if". He's had small stretches where he looked good defensively but then longer stetches where he didn't.

It comes down to this, dealing from a position of strength. Our D core looks much better than our forward core. It's all a risk. As was the LAK and CGY trades getting guys that were proven they thought would be an answer. You never know, you have to trust your scouting, look at your entire pool of assets and make decisions you believe will be good for the future.

 

[Emerald Duck]

I think Zegras future is at wing unless we build just 3 excellent lines which is doable but damn a line with Zegras/McTavish/Gauthier makes alot of sense to me. Those guys will make space for him and he can focus on what he does best which is playmaking

Patrick Kane as a playmaking forward shows how it can be done within the right system with the right player. I'm not suggesting that Zegras will have the HoF career of Kane, but he has a similar style and skillset. Zegras' strengths are not in the faceoff circle or on the forecheck.

Whether or not Cronin has the flexibility to adapt his system to his players' talents or whether he forces players to play his system remains to be seen.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

You can go off his limited time back, but I'll go off of a longer track record. He was looking MUCH better when he came back. And maybe that was him turning that corner, but now you're playing "what if". He's had small stretches where he looked good defensively but then longer stetches where he didn't.

It comes down to this, dealing from a position of strength. Our D core looks much better than our forward core. It's all a risk. As was the LAK and CGY trades getting guys that were proven they thought would be an answer. You never know, you have to trust your scouting, look at your entire pool of assets and make decisions you believe will be good for the future.

Why are you going on a tangent when I'm inquiring about Drysdale being a defensive hole? It's as if you didn't read my dissertation on the trade that you quoted from. Crazy.

We're not using data from two seasons ago. We're talking about Drysdale this season. There isn't a "what if" he's turning a corner, he did turn a corner b/c he was looking like our best defenseman out there at age 21 in the NHL. In my dissertation, I didn't say we should keep Drysdale, but I gave other factors why Drysdale was made expendable. You should go read it again.

The 2nd round pick could be due to injury or could be to "offer the Flyers they cannot refuse" in order to beat out the other 10-18 teams inquiring about Cutter. We just don't know, which is why I called out your scenario as a "what if".

 

[Kalv]

As a guy I can confirm. The dude you pee together with, is usually your closest friend.

PS
As the day goes on I'm more and more excited about the fit. I think still very likely Drysdale is the best player in this trade, but he comes with his own risks and we could afford this.

 

[duckpuck]

Why are you going on a tangent when I'm inquiring about Drysdale being a defensive hole? It's as if you didn't read my dissertation on the trade that you quoted from. Crazy.

We're not using data from two seasons ago. We're talking about Drysdale this season. There isn't a "what if" he's turning a corner, he did turn a corner b/c he was looking like our best defenseman out there at age 21 in the NHL. In my dissertation, I didn't say we should keep Drysdale, but I gave other factors why Drysdale was made expendable. You should go read it again.

The 2nd round pick could be due to injury or could be to "offer the Flyers they cannot refuse" in order to beat out the other 10-18 teams inquiring about Cutter. We just don't know, which is why I called out your scenario as a "what if".

I don't think that Dry was a defensive hole, but his play in his own zone was inconsistent and sometime just bad. His gap control was not great and he often seemed lost/out of position.

For sure that's to be expected from a young d-man and he has the tools to develop into a solid 1-2 D - he'll have to model his game after Niedermeyer, though Scott seemed bigger/more solid.

If you look back at my posts, I was a huge Drysdale pumper after his first year. I still think he'll be great. But at this stage, in the D-zone, Minty > Dry, so there's that.

You have to give to get. I don't know much about Gauthier, but if he's proves to be as good as some people predict (TBD), then this is a good trade for the ducks. Verbeek and the Ducks have done a good job scouting elite guys - McTavish, Minty, Carlsson. So I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now.

 

[Dryish]

I just saw the news so this is me reacting with emotion, but damn it if this doesn't have the stench of losing Theodore all over again.

Someone had to go, sure, but damn it, Jamie?

 

[AngelDuck]

Verbeek better put together a f***ing stacked defense long term or I’m going to be pissed

Need to draft one now. I’m sorry but putting our hopes on Minty, Luneau, and Zell is a lot of hope and pray to me. I like them, but I want someone who has a higher projection

If the plan is to either take Celibrini or the best defenseman available, then this trade becomes slightly more palatable