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

[HBK27]

Friedman's "theory" is total bullsh*t...

Yet the timeline as to when things turned sour aligns with the theory.

You also have Kevin Kurz reporting that the Flyers were "prepared to sign him in May 2023"...meaning they were not prepared to do so at the conclusions of BC's season last year when he could've burned the first year of his ELC and get in some NHL games as the Flyers played out the final stretch of the season.

What is your theory as to what happened that would make more sense for Gauthier doing a complete 180?

 

[Gliff]

Would rather have Drysdale, Kelly Hrudey said a month back while doing a game that he has the potential to become a top 5 dman in the NHL.

I love Jamie but that’s insane.

 

[Evergreen]

Yep, theAthletic Flyers reporter Kevin Kurz confirming that Flyers were ready to sign Gauthier as early as (or only as early as) May 2023 after the Worlds.

When they did talk at that time, Gauthier confirmed simply he no longer wanted to play for the Flyers at al, and then ceased communications

So yeah...if Gauthier wanted to sign earlier e.g. to qualify the 2022-23 season as his first contracted year, and Flyers did not, that makes it a reasonable breaking point. But talking it thru beforehand seems like it would also been a reasonable path.

The weird thing is that the Flyers changed up their entire leadership group right around that time. Briere and Jones were officially hired in May 2023, basically as the WC was happening. So the current management group couldn’t really bring Gauthier in any earlier than the end of the WC. The whole thing seems odd to me.

 

[HanSolo]

Yeah, exactly. A franchise, backed by the $ of a megacorp, that has never cut corners on costs, decides that is what they'd do. How realistic does that seem to you?

It's totally unfactual.

The fact that you're trying to seriously argue that a mega corporation with a lot of money wouldn't cut corners is pure hilarity.

 

[FlyguyOX]

The fact that you're trying to seriously argue that a mega corporation with a lot of money wouldn't cut corners is pure hilarity.

Flyers ownership has always given blank checks.

 

[HanSolo]

Flyers ownership has always given blank checks.

And? Trends don't prove falsity, evidence proves falsity. May not be hard evidence for the Flyers short changing Cutter but at least it is plausible for why he'd go from "I can't wait to play for the Flyers" to giving the team the cold shoulder and refusing to report for dev camp.

 

[HBK27]

The weird thing is that the Flyers changed up their entire leadership group right around that time. Briere and Jones were officially hired in May 2023, basically as the WC was happening. So the current management group couldn’t really bring Gauthier in any earlier than the end of the WC. The whole thing seems odd to me.

Briere was named Interim GM on March 10th, 2023 - he was in charge when Boston College's season ended and they could've signed Gauthier. Can't blame this screwup on the previous administration.

 

[JaegerDice]

I wouldn't be against getting rid of the draft.

I would also get rid of the salary cap.

For a healthy league it would have to be one or the other.

Im absolutely for getting rid of the draft, but that’s with the cap in place to ensure talent is dispersed.

That way, say Bedard turns 18, is an FA and wants 12 mil. NYR or TOR want him. In order to get him, some other high paid star player (or 2) is going to have to move off the roster to make room for him. Some other team(s) benefits.

With no cap and no draft, you’d have like 3 all-star teams in preferred destinations.

 

[bleedgreen]

THIS.

This is clearly 100% the Flyers fault for leaving their prospects out to dry and leaving them in an uncertain situation.

I don't blame Gauthier at all for wanting some security in his future. Absolutely disgusting that Flyers fans will continue to harass this kid despite the fact the the Flyers org scummed him PLUS they still got a good young player anyway.

How did they leave him out to dry? Just because a prospect thinks he’s ready to sign doesn’t mean the team thinks he is. They couldn’t promise him game time so they wanted him to wait another year. That’s their choice and it’s probably the best thing for him as a prospect. He’s having a hell of a year. Being salty about that shouldnt be a reason to force a trade. I’m not really buying this reason either but I don’t think the reason really matters.

 

[FlyguyOX]

How did they leave him out to dry? Just because a prospect thinks he’s ready to sign doesn’t mean the team thinks he is. They couldn’t promise him game time so they wanted him to wait another year. That’s their choice and it’s probably the best thing for him as a prospect. He’s having a hell of a year. Being salty about that shouldnt be a reason to force a trade. I’m not really buying this reason either but I don’t think the reason really matters.

You'd think this was common sense

 

[HBK27]

How did they leave him out to dry? Just because a prospect thinks he’s ready to sign doesn’t mean the team thinks he is. They couldn’t promise him game time so they wanted him to wait another year. That’s their choice and it’s probably the best thing for him as a prospect. He’s having a hell of a year. Being salty about that shouldnt be a reason to force a trade. I’m not really buying this reason either but I don’t think the reason really matters.

The last forward drafted in the top 5 to wait until after their D+2 season to turn pro was Ryan Strome, who was drafted 5th overall in 2011.

Gauthier had a very good D+1 season at BC and a very good WJC, so I'm not buying the excuse that they didn't think he wasn't ready. He's also the only player in the top 10 of that draft not to play in the NHL. Hell, all 4 defensemen drafted in the top 10 are NHL regulars at this point, despite that position usually taking longer.

Gauthier had every right to expect to be signed as soon as he wrapped up his freshman season at BC. Going back to BC this season likely cost him millions.

 

[timw33]

Would rather have Drysdale, Kelly Hrudey said a month back while doing a game that he has the potential to become a top 5 dman in the NHL.

Kelly "The Oracle" Hrudey

 

[I Hate Philadelphia]

Would rather have Drysdale, Kelly Hrudey said a month back while doing a game that he has the potential to become a top 5 dman in the NHL.

He's missed 83 of 101 games over the last 2 seasons with injuries so good luck with that.

 

[Gregor Samsa]

Just curious from other fans, who is the best prospect or pick from your team you would give up for Cutter?

 

[FiveTacos]

Briere was named Interim GM on March 10th, 2023 - he was in charge when Boston College's season ended and they could've signed Gauthier. Can't blame this screwup on the previous administration.

Assuming it's even a screw up. Maybe the new admin just isn't as high on him as the previous, and a prior promise to sign him after the NCAA season was no longer being honored by the new guy since he has a different evaluation of the player.

In which case there really is no one in the wrong. A new GM isn't bound to previous GMs decisions, but a player can feel fully betrayed by a broken agreement with the organization, even if it was only verbal.

That said even if that's all true, these leaks trashing Gauthier, which are clearly from the org side, would be very petty.

 

[Evergreen]

Briere was named Interim GM on March 10th, 2023 - he was in charge when Boston College's season ended and they could've signed Gauthier. Can't blame this screwup on the previous administration.

I don’t really see it as a screw-up, honestly. The Flyers didn’t want to burn a year of Gauthier’s contract for a handful of games during a meaningless season. Not an unreasonable decision. For a prospect to decide at that point they will no longer even communicate with the team’s mgmt is pretty bold. I don’t blame the Flyers for being surprised by Gauthier’s reaction.

 

[joestevens29]

The last forward drafted in the top 5 to wait until after their D+2 season to turn pro was Ryan Strome, who was drafted 5th overall in 2011.

Gauthier had a very good D+1 season at BC and a very good WJC, so I'm not buying the excuse that they didn't think he wasn't ready. He's also the only player in the top 10 of that draft not to play in the NHL. Hell, all 4 defensemen drafted in the top 10 are NHL regulars at this point, despite that position usually taking longer.

Gauthier had every right to expect to be signed as soon as he wrapped up his freshman season at BC. Going back to BC this season likely cost him millions.

Also had a pretty impressive world championship too

 

[bleedgreen]

The last forward drafted in the top 5 to wait until after their D+2 season to turn pro was Ryan Strome, who was drafted 5th overall in 2011.

Gauthier had a very good D+1 season at BC and a very good WJC, so I'm not buying the excuse that they didn't think he wasn't ready. He's also the only player in the top 10 of that draft not to play in the NHL. Hell, all 4 defensemen drafted in the top 10 are NHL regulars at this point, despite that position usually taking longer.

Gauthier had every right to expect to be signed as soon as he wrapped up his freshman season at BC.

I’m still missing him being left out to dry. Like he’s toiling away mopping floors somewhere and not being treating like a king living a glorious life of a top prospect playing in the NCAA for a great team. No team needs you or I to approve a prospects readiness, you not believing to support some personal bias is a bit ridiculous to me but that’s your right. They also may have not wanted him to play pro if they thought it would be a rough season - and many thought this would be a rough season.

Either way, coming up with some theory about a teams intentions to do a prospect wrong because they are incompetent or evil is interesting.

Nemec is only there for injuries. Korchinsky being thrown to the wolves is the Hawks choice, as is Cbus. It’s a choice, not every team has to go ahead and do the same. Who cares what the other prospects are doing? Slav has been rushed most would say. Savoie and Wright are in the NHL? Kasper?

 

[ninetyeight]

Wait one speculative report from Friedman and everyone is all of a sudden blaming the Flyers. The fact that this kid has gone on record on a video saying he's a lifelong Pittsburgh fan and refuses to play for the Flyers, most definitely is unrelated to the issue.

Even supposedly if the report is right, the guy wanted to sign right after his draft and got pissy that he didn't, how many guys get signed right after their draft? To me that just screams that he was looking for reason not to sign or part ways with the Flyers asap.

 

[TkachukMyAho]

He said she said, blah blah blah. Flyers made the right move getting this guy out of there ASAP. Everyone can debate why and how all they want but to me the immaturity and lack of professionalism is all I see here.

He made his life tough as a prospect. This will be brought up to him at every available opportunity. Best of luck kid, you bet on yourself. Now you have to back it up without the wind at your back.

 

[HBK27]

Assuming it's even a screw up. Maybe the new admin just isn't as high on him as the previous, and a prior promise to sign him after the NCAA season was no longer being honored by the new guy since he has a different evaluation of the player.

In which case there really is no one in the wrong. A new GM isn't bound to previous GMs decisions, but a player can feel fully betrayed by a broken agreement with the organization, even if it was only verbal.

That said even if that's all true, these leaks trashing Gauthier, which are clearly from the org side, would be very petty.

I mean...I suppose that could be a theory, though a few things still don't add up.

For starters, Briere was still part of the administration that drafted Gautheir as a special advisor to the GM...though theoretically, he could've objected to the pick. Additionally, it's been reported that they tried to sign him in May 2023. Even if they weren't as high on him, why not sign him after BC's season ended in March versus waiting two months?

 

[JaegerDice]

Anaheim wins this hands down. Drysdale is a small 5'11 defencemen.

Duncan Keith was 5’11. He did alright.

 

[SakuKoivu11]

I don‘t know about bad the injury to Drysdale, The second round pick will be a high pick in the 2nd round. I think Gauthier could have fetch maybe Mason McTavish Or David Reinbacher.

 

[tictactoe]

The last forward drafted in the top 5 to wait until after their D+2 season to turn pro was Ryan Strome, who was drafted 5th overall in 2011.

Gauthier had a very good D+1 season at BC and a very good WJC, so I'm not buying the excuse that they didn't think he wasn't ready. He's also the only player in the top 10 of that draft not to play in the NHL. Hell, all 4 defensemen drafted in the top 10 are NHL regulars at this point, despite that position usually taking longer.

Gauthier had every right to expect to be signed as soon as he wrapped up his freshman season at BC. Going back to BC this season likely cost him millions.

Wait, you blaming Briere with your bogus theories? and I am not a big fan of Briere/Jones office positions...
Why the f would Briere do something stupid to a draft pick? Did Gautheir camp say anything, deny it? No right?

I don‘t know about bad the injury to Drysdale, The second round pick will be a high pick in the 2nd round. I think Gauthier could have fetch maybe Mason McTavish Or David Reinbacher.

2nd round pick will be 2025.

 

[SakuKoivu11]

Wait you blaming Briere with your bogus theories? and I am not a big fan of Briere/Jones office positions...
Why the f would Briere do something stupid to a draft pick? Did Gautheir camp say anything, deny it? No right?


2nd round pick will be 2025.

No doubt. I think it will be around 33-45.