C Cutter Gauthier - (2022, 5th, PHI; traded to ANA)

[DavidpauseReinbacher]

What a beast.

 

[Leonardo87]

3 point night for Cutter, 2+1 . Also was a beast on the PK tonight.

 

[De Montreal]

I have watched dozens and dozens of games of his before finally realizing yesterday who he reminds me of so much. Jean Béliveau. It is not a perfect comparison especially because I mostly watched Le Gros Bill later games, when he was older and more mature and complete. But I’m convinced this is the kind of player Gauthier can become with the right attitude, if he’s driven adequately by the right motivations. I have rarely seen someone with that particular of skillset. It seems so effortless for him because he has such a physical advantage over his opponents, but his biggest asset is his brain. The speed at which he process information is very similar to Béliveau, and then, there’s the size obviously. He is a typical dual threat, great shot, but if he can unleash it it’s because the opponents know they have to respect his playmaking abilities. Béliveau was also a very underrated defensively useful guy.

If he can put behind him the trade distractions he’s gonna be a star in the league : not calling him a future hall of famer, multiple Stanley Cup winner, best captain in the history or anything like that. But he plays like Béliveau and he will score goals like he did and punish other teams.

Special.

 

[sigx15]

Start to keep an eye on Gauthiet’s goal total. He had 2 more last night, up to 28 on the year. No one has scored more than 36 in a college hockey season in 20+ years. BC has anywhere from 6-11 games left, he definitely has a shot to get there

 

[coooldude]

I have watched dozens and dozens of games of his before finally realizing yesterday who he reminds me of so much. Jean Béliveau. It is not a perfect comparison especially because I mostly watched Le Gros Bill later games, when he was older and more mature and complete. But I’m convinced this is the kind of player Gauthier can become with the right attitude, if he’s driven adequately by the right motivations. I have rarely seen someone with that particular of skillset. It seems so effortless for him because he has such a physical advantage over his opponents, but his biggest asset is his brain. The speed at which he process information is very similar to Béliveau, and then, there’s the size obviously. He is a typical dual threat, great shot, but if he can unleash it it’s because the opponents know they have to respect his playmaking abilities. Béliveau was also a very underrated defensively useful guy.

If he can put behind him the trade distractions he’s gonna be a star in the league : not calling him a future hall of famer, multiple Stanley Cup winner, best captain in the history or anything like that. But he plays like Béliveau and he will score goals like he did and punish other teams.

Special.

We must be watching vastly different players.

I see Gauthier play a very direct, relatively uncreative "shoot first, shoot often, shoot more" offensive game. He does stand out for his physicality, and he does have a very hard shot. But he reminds me more of a poor man's Ovechkin. Shots, shots, shots, some of which are snipes and some of which are just spraying it to the net over and over again.

I do think he'll be a pain in the ass to play against but I'm way far away from thinking he has a shot at being the kind of player you're describing.

 

[Gliff]

We must be watching vastly different players.

I see Gauthier play a very direct, relatively uncreative "shoot first, shoot often, shoot more" offensive game. He does stand out for his physicality, and he does have a very hard shot. But he reminds me more of a poor man's Ovechkin. Shots, shots, shots, some of which are snipes and some of which are just spraying it to the net over and over again.

I do think he'll be a pain in the ass to play against but I'm way far away from thinking he has a shot at being the kind of player you're describing.

Honestly, a physical shooter that is hard to play against is exactly what the Ducks are missing. That would be perfect.

 

[coooldude]

Honestly, a physical shooter that is hard to play against is exactly what the Ducks are missing. That would be perfect.

I know... as a Sharks fan, I'm fully expecting to really dislike Gauthier. He also just has that smugness asshole factor. Not quite punk status like Perry, but definitely a little bit of that Getzlaf swagger (to be clear I do not think he is a Getzlaf level prospect).

 

[LemonSauceD]

Very overrated player.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Honestly, a physical shooter that is hard to play against is exactly what the Ducks are missing. That would be perfect.

Gauthier is absolutely a player who will fit the Ducks well, I don’t think anyone can deny that. In fact, I think he’ll benefit from not having to be “the guy” and not having to play center.

But the Jean Beliveau comparison suggests the hype is a little out of hand.

Gauthier is playing on Smith’s wing tonight, so it should be a good preview for Ducks fans for what he could look like on Zegras’ wing some day.

 

[Leonardo87]

Great play short-handed to get an assist. just assisted again , 2 points tonight

 

[majormajor]

Gauthier is playing on Smith’s wing tonight, so it should be a good preview for Ducks fans for what he could look like on Zegras’ wing some day.

I don't know why a team with that much forward talent to choose from would put a weaker defensive player (Zegras) in the position where he has to defend down low in his zone. Gauthier would be better at it. Really with Carlsson and McTavish there's no need for either to play center.

 

[Leonardo87]

Leonard and Gauthier connect again For another short handed goal.

1+2 tonight.

 

[sigx15]

I don't know why a team with that much forward talent to choose from would put a weaker defensive player (Zegras) in the position where he has to defend down low in his zone. Gauthier would be better at it. Really with Carlsson and McTavish there's no need for either to play center.

Gauthier's issue isn't the defensive zone responsibility, he's plenty good enough there and responsible there. He's BC's go to match up defensively to shut down the best forward on the other team and does a good job at it. It's carrying the puck up the ice and neutral zone where he makes a lot of mistakes. I just don't think he doesn't have the vision and poise for it as a #1 center but I think he has all the skills needed for a top line winger. Ultimately it becomes, what do the ducks think they can develop, Zegras's defensive zone presence or Gauthier's neutral zone/transition game

 

[majormajor]

Gauthier's issue isn't the defensive zone responsibility, he's plenty good enough there and responsible there. He's BC's go to match up defensively to shut down the best forward on the other team and does a good job at it. It's carrying the puck up the ice and neutral zone where he makes a lot of mistakes. I just don't think he doesn't have the vision and poise for it as a #1 center but I think he has all the skills needed for a top line winger. Ultimately it becomes, what do the ducks think they can develop, Zegras's defensive zone presence or Gauthier's neutral zone/transition game

A team with Carlsson and McTavish isn't going to sweat it too much. There's little chance that Zegras will be at center. Gauthier will probably also be at wing, that or run him at center on a middle six line. He doesn't need to be a 1C.

 

[Gliff]

Gauthier is absolutely a player who will fit the Ducks well, I don’t think anyone can deny that. In fact, I think he’ll benefit from not having to be “the guy” and not having to play center.

But the Jean Beliveau comparison suggests the hype is a little out of hand.

Gauthier is playing on Smith’s wing tonight, so it should be a good preview for Ducks fans for what he could look like on Zegras’ wing some day.

I agree it is not appropriate. Obviously Gretzky is better

But seriously, I don’t think any Ducks fans are expecting anywhere close to that and if they are then that’s on them.

 

[De Montreal]

Gauthier is absolutely a player who will fit the Ducks well, I don’t think anyone can deny that. In fact, I think he’ll benefit from not having to be “the guy” and not having to play center.

But the Jean Beliveau comparison suggests the hype is a little out of hand.

Gauthier is playing on Smith’s wing tonight, so it should be a good preview for Ducks fans for what he could look like on Zegras’ wing some day.

You obviously dont have to be in agreement with me and your evaluation of his play is as good as mine. However as someone like me who believes in reincarnation I’m struck by the parallels, it’s uncanny.

Every time I watch his game, I’m fazed by the way the puck always end up on his stick even though he is never looking at the puck. He always keep his head up, always picking his spot, visualizing his shot in his head, always thinking 10 seconds ahead, that reminds me of the great Béliveau.

It’s like the puck is watching him. In some ways I feel like there’s a spiritual connexion between Gauthier and the puck, like they are fundamentally linked some way in the universe.

https://x.com/bc_mhockey/status/1761572022373827036?s=61&t=Lg93Mm1Wza4IfrqTw0MM3A

Very impressed by that goal on the PK, create the turnover with his big body, anticipate the trajectory of the puck (where most individuals could only guess where a puck will bounce, he knows right away its future, like a medium reading the destinies in the palms), get it and score. This is Cutter Gauthier to me.

 

[Juxtaposer]

I agree it is not appropriate. Obviously Gretzky is better

But seriously, I don’t think any Ducks fans are expecting anywhere close to that and if they are then that’s on them.

You’re totally right, it’s really been fans of other teams. Every Ducks fan I’ve seen has been very reasonable about Gauthier, to be honest.

 

[Kalv]

You obviously dont have to be in agreement with me and your evaluation of his play is as good as mine. However as someone like me who believes in reincarnation I’m struck by the parallels, it’s uncanny.

Every time I watch his game, I’m fazed by the way the puck always end up on his stick even though he is never looking at the puck. He always keep his head up, always picking his spot, visualizing his shot in his head, always thinking 10 seconds ahead, that reminds me of the great Béliveau.

It’s like the puck is watching him. In some ways I feel like there’s a spiritual connexion between Gauthier and the puck, like they are fundamentally linked some way in the universe.

https://x.com/bc_mhockey/status/1761572022373827036?s=61&t=Lg93Mm1Wza4IfrqTw0MM3A

Very impressed by that goal on the PK, create the turnover with his big body, anticipate the trajectory of the puck (where most individuals could only guess where a puck will bounce, he knows right away its future, like a medium reading the destinies in the palms), get it and score. This is Cutter Gauthier to me.

These went from 0 to Weird really fast
He is a smart player tho. That meshes well, because I think our other core forwards are really smart as well, especially TZ and Leo.
Eventually they might make some crazy plays

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

You’re totally right, it’s really been fans of other teams. Every Ducks fan I’ve seen has been very reasonable about Gauthier, to be honest.

We already built him a statue in front of Honda center, whachu talking bout

 

[Leonardo87]

Congrats Dude!

 

[Leonardo87]

3 point game!

Including this snipe..

 

[JT3]

3 point game!

Including this snipe..

That's an absurd shot. The way he has to adjust his stick and hands to get it off but still does it in a flash, woof

 

[Our Lady Peace]

Holy smokes I had to watch twice cause that release was lightning quick. Beautiful. Okay, so you have:

Carlsson
Zegras
McTavish
Gauthier

Anaheim is gonna have a Toronto-lite big 4 of their own. All these players have unique offensive elements to their games and are going to crush opposing defenses.

Oh and the future beast Mintyukov to run your defense? Throw in Zellweger too for fun as he won't be pressured to be 'the guy'? Jesus Christ Anaheim I'm glad Detroit isn't in the West anymore...

 

[Oak]

I don't know why a team with that much forward talent to choose from would put a weaker defensive player (Zegras) in the position where he has to defend down low in his zone. Gauthier would be better at it. Really with Carlsson and McTavish there's no need for either to play center.

Zegras at center is not the same as Smith at center. Fun concept but don't think its a good idea.

 

[macbowes]

Reminds me of a L-shot Sam Reinhart, I think he's a really nice part of the Ducks rebuild.