GKJ
Global Moderator
- Feb 27, 2002
- 193,012
- 43,505
Prospect Info: Round 1, Pick 5: Cutter Gauthier, LW, USNTDP -> Boston College
- Thread starter GKJ
- Start date
CanadianFlyer88
Knublin' PPs
deadhead
Registered User
- Feb 26, 2014
- 50,842
- 22,165
It was him or a RHD with a bad knee (why would the Flyers shy away from a top pick with an injury history?).
Gauthier is a risky pick, so was everyone else left on the board.
If he can play center, he fills a big need - if not, he'll still be a solid fit at LW, which after JVR leaves is basically Farabee, Lindblom, Laughton and Cates, and Desnoyers (if he moves from center). Unless you think Ratcliffe has top 9 potential or Lycksell is going to emerge as a major offensive force.
Once thing I like about big centers, as we've seen with Couts, is it's easier to fit smaller wings around them - and you can find smaller scoring wings well into the second round, big centers rarely are found past pick #20. So from roster construction, IF he pans out at center it's a big win. At LW, it's more a high ceiling pick. WIth his size, skating and shot, he could be a solid PF at LW, but unlikely to be a star.
He's basically BPA at the point in this draft where the only better player had injury concerns, after that, throw names into a hat.
Flyers got screwed again, if they stay at #4, they have a no-brainer pick.
Gauthier is a risky pick, so was everyone else left on the board.
If he can play center, he fills a big need - if not, he'll still be a solid fit at LW, which after JVR leaves is basically Farabee, Lindblom, Laughton and Cates, and Desnoyers (if he moves from center). Unless you think Ratcliffe has top 9 potential or Lycksell is going to emerge as a major offensive force.
Once thing I like about big centers, as we've seen with Couts, is it's easier to fit smaller wings around them - and you can find smaller scoring wings well into the second round, big centers rarely are found past pick #20. So from roster construction, IF he pans out at center it's a big win. At LW, it's more a high ceiling pick. WIth his size, skating and shot, he could be a solid PF at LW, but unlikely to be a star.
He's basically BPA at the point in this draft where the only better player had injury concerns, after that, throw names into a hat.
Flyers got screwed again, if they stay at #4, they have a no-brainer pick.
Where are you reading that he's slow? The scouting reports I've read say he's an NHL-caliber skater already.
THW:
On top of that, he has NHL-caliber skating ability. He has shown that he can be explosive coming out of the defensive zone and generates a lot of breakaways. Not only that, but it’s very difficult to both knock him off balance and off the puck, which contributes to a relentless forechecking ability. He’s very strong with the puck on his stick
Habseyesontheprize:
He can burn defenders with pure speed, or push through them with his wide base and upper-body strength. Although some technical refinement is needed — his slightly upright torso and lack of knee bend limit his protection mechanics a bit — he projects well due to his lower-body strength as well as his willingness to push the pace and initiate contact.
Last Word on Sports:
With many big power forwards, the words “skates well for his size” are seen in scouting reports. This qualifier is not necessary for Gauthier. He skates very well compared to his peers both big and small. While his top-end speed isn’t the fastest, it also does not hurt him. That said, hockey is a game of quick stops and starts and this is where Gauthier excels.
Hollywood Cannon
I'm Away From My Desk
So I was 50/50 on this.
Until I saw Fletcher YET AGAIN, do the same shit he always does with drafting / signing / bringing on people he knew in his past job / life. It’s honestly sickening. Do other teams do this as much as Fletcher does?
Until I saw Fletcher YET AGAIN, do the same shit he always does with drafting / signing / bringing on people he knew in his past job / life. It’s honestly sickening. Do other teams do this as much as Fletcher does?
deadhead
Registered User
- Feb 26, 2014
- 50,842
- 22,165
Oh, everyone has a script and can't deviate from it.
If Jiricek was picked, we'd hear a different litany of complaint.
I think if they didn't have questions about the knee, they might have gone Jiricek, but can't blame them for being gun shy given their experience of the last few years.
They wanted a center or a RHD, so it was just a question of which one.
It wasn't like there was a slam dunk alternative they bypassed.
Hopefully, Gauthier was the consensus of the scouting group.
Magua
Entirely Palatable Product
The 3 biggest boondoggles in drafting high are 1.) reaching on centers 2.) reaching on size 3) reaching on shoot-first players. Re-drafts are littered with the skulls of these archetypes, because teams want the good versions desperately, and Chuck Fletcher is an unimaginative GM who obsesses over certain traits and certain players. In a gallows humor way, it was always the obvious pick for this team.
Without saying Gauthier can't be a useful player, the Flyers possibly pulled the trifecta, and that's if Gauthier can even play center. I'm slightly more open to it than some -- I think he operates better in space, his puck control is fine, he's a utilitarian passer, and he already gravitates towards 3rd man high (so much for that PWF label, eh?) -- but it's assuming added risk, without a reward in keeping with 5th overall. If he can't make the switch, it's that much worse. It's hard to escape the idea they drafted your garden variety 15th overall type at 5th.
This isn't a gigantic swing, like it's being portrayed. That's the stuff that dreams are made of. It's a middle 6 floor pick. I'm skeptical he projects as a top end player, without anything resembling high-end skill or creativity; he'll probably always be a complimentary player, at ES/PP (flank?....trigger?). I'm a believer in this level pick needing to be used on real impact line drivers with a path to stardom. They painted themselves into a corner, colored by daydreams and (alleged) fit, to all but guarantee it looks bad from a future value/evaluative standpoint. The Flyers talking about needing elite talent, while not wanting to rebuild, and making this pick are totally incongruous. I'll gladly eat my words, but this will be one of those "what could've been" picks. It's the exact type of pick that prevents this organization from achieving escape velocity from the bubble.
Without saying Gauthier can't be a useful player, the Flyers possibly pulled the trifecta, and that's if Gauthier can even play center. I'm slightly more open to it than some -- I think he operates better in space, his puck control is fine, he's a utilitarian passer, and he already gravitates towards 3rd man high (so much for that PWF label, eh?) -- but it's assuming added risk, without a reward in keeping with 5th overall. If he can't make the switch, it's that much worse. It's hard to escape the idea they drafted your garden variety 15th overall type at 5th.
This isn't a gigantic swing, like it's being portrayed. That's the stuff that dreams are made of. It's a middle 6 floor pick. I'm skeptical he projects as a top end player, without anything resembling high-end skill or creativity; he'll probably always be a complimentary player, at ES/PP (flank?....trigger?). I'm a believer in this level pick needing to be used on real impact line drivers with a path to stardom. They painted themselves into a corner, colored by daydreams and (alleged) fit, to all but guarantee it looks bad from a future value/evaluative standpoint. The Flyers talking about needing elite talent, while not wanting to rebuild, and making this pick are totally incongruous. I'll gladly eat my words, but this will be one of those "what could've been" picks. It's the exact type of pick that prevents this organization from achieving escape velocity from the bubble.
Last edited:
CanadianFlyer88
Knublin' PPs
Just remembered that the Hakshell cost the Flyers the #4 pick by blowing a 2 goal 3rd period lead in that make up game against Winnipeg.
Would the Flyers have taken Wright at #4, or would Fletcher's connection have still won out?
Would the Flyers have taken Wright at #4, or would Fletcher's connection have still won out?
bauer
I MISS GHOST
- Nov 11, 2007
- 4,634
- 4,850
i hope the kid turns out, but it does boggle the mind how you can pass up a RHD that is projected to be a #2/3 only to draft what will likely become just another middle 6 forward, something the Flyers have a ridiculous amount of. unless they think he's gonna be the next Tkachuk, this doesn't make much sense.
deadhead
Registered User
- Feb 26, 2014
- 50,842
- 22,165
It's a big swing if you're gambling he'll become a 2C, but has a relatively high ceiling as a LW.
As far as trading down, who was willing to trade up to 5? Not a lot of teams trying to trade up that high.
The two big trades were for players, DeBrincat and Dach.
As far as trading down, who was willing to trade up to 5? Not a lot of teams trying to trade up that high.
The two big trades were for players, DeBrincat and Dach.
Who is the elite talent here? Jiricek? Nazar? One of the Scandinavian forwards? It seems like after the 4 that went ahead (which didn't really seem elite just best in this draft) that 5-15 are all pretty close.
Magua
Entirely Palatable Product
I like Charlie, but his prospect opinions I usually wave away. I think the 2nd video is more encouraging than the 1st fwiw. He's not without flashes, but obsessing over flashes is a risky game. It's hard for me to see his 99th percentile projection being a "star," let alone something more realistic.
Flyerfan4life
Registered User
BernieParent
In misery of redwings of suckage for a long time
My depression about this pick is tempered by the question marks around every top player in this draft. However, it is so consistent with the Flyers' history of everything finding a way to go wrong that, after a disastrous season blowing up in their ready-to-compete illusions, their entire 1st round hope lies in a player whom they hope is able to become a centre. What genuine hockey-related aspect of this team is hope-inspiring? Nothing present and very little future.
Flyerfan4life
Registered User
Curufinwe
Registered User
- Feb 28, 2013
- 56,978
- 45,373
Maybe Jiricek is a #4 who gets hurt a lot. Nothings guaranteed about most of these top prospects. Just look at Juolevi’s disastrous carer so far.
Slow in the sense that youd hope with a top 5 pick, wed get a dynamic skater...which hes not.
Its just a boring pick. Hes the kinda player who will come in the league at 20 and just be okay for a few years...and even if he hits his potential, the fans will be ready to move on from him before that happens.
Magua
Entirely Palatable Product
Possibly Nazar is the most likely to be a top 6 player in this range. Ostlund went higher than I figured, so he slips into this range. I wouldn't have been gaga over Jiricek either, but I would've preferred him, I guess. I'm not pining for anyone who went immediately after, i.e. Boldy.
I desperately, maddeningly wanted to trade down for the reason you just said: there's not much separating anyone. Because this draft is chock full of inconsistencies and question marks. Some question marks I prefer to others. When that's the case, targeting volume is always the right bet. It's a recurring theme in Fletcher's drafts in that he avoids tough decisions and risk, and he loathes volume. 2021 was a master class in it. The Flyers could've walked away with 2 players with a chance to surpass Gauthier, and that's not being rosy.
Last edited:
Tripod
I hate this team
The irony.
If we picked Jiricek, you would have said:
They have a need at RHD
They know the cost to aquire RHD are thru the roof, great value pick
They obviously have looked at the reports on his knee and are fine with it
The were not going to pick the LW trying to become a C, they saw Farabee fail at that
They picked the BPA who has been in most top 5 lists AND he fits a need
Anyone hating on this pick is just pushing an agenda against Fletch
Great pick!
Hollywood Cannon
I'm Away From My Desk
Big swing in that outside of dinosaur attribute bumps he probably shouldn’t have been under consideration at #5?
deadhead
Registered User
- Feb 26, 2014
- 50,842
- 22,165
Well, that's what happened when they got pushed down a slot.
Everyone who wants to get rid of Hayes should be encouraged, since this pick may allow them to move Hayes in the summer of 2023 or 2024.
I'm not worried about "excitement," I'll be happy if he turns out to be what we hoped for Patrick, a 40+ ES, two way physical center.
Did anyone expect to get a 1C in this draft, or a 1st pair D-man?
I'll just take a solid 2nd pair forward, whether at LW or center.
As far as shooting, it's not like the Flyers have many good shooters, TK has never taken his shot to the next level, Atkinson is solid but not elite, Allison probably has the best shot on the team along with Farabee. Maybe Foerster down the road. Brink is more of a playmaker. I'd love to add a forward who can consistently put his wrist hot in the upper corners of the net. Especially a LH one.
deadhead
Registered User
- Feb 26, 2014
- 50,842
- 22,165
But isn't that the same? Neither player was without warts, but it's not like there was anyone else clearly better at #5.
I don't know which would have been better, I hope the scouts made that call, but I know there wasn't a "no-brainer" that they passed over.
I mean even if Wright was available, was he considered as good as Nico, who is a marginal 1C and really a 2C on most playoff teams.
This wasn't your slam dunk draft with five no-miss picks at the top.
That's fair. I wanted Nazar or trade back. There just seems to be a lot of the "omg this is so dumb" without explanation other than "typical Flyers" or "Fletch is dumb!" Outside of the top four picks it looked pretty much the same, hard to say any pick really would have been bad (or good) unless something wild happened.
