For teams out of the playoffs, there’s still some excitement to come down the stretch. As the NCAA schedule comes to a close, top prospects can turn pro and get their feet wet in the NHL before setting in for an offseason of training and development.
That is, if they decide to leave the college ranks.
One of the names to watch is Philadelphia Flyers prospect Cutter Gauthier, picked fifth overall in the 2022 draft. The big, speedy forward played mostly wing during his junior days but has transitioned to the middle of the ice (with some bumps along the way) for Boston College, and is now leading the club in goals and points.
That’s despite a leave to suit up at the World Juniors, where he had ten points in seven games for Team USA. Gauthier is a shining star in the Flyers prospect pool, and it’s hard to not get excited thinking about his NHL debut this spring.
Not so fast, says Philadelphia assistant general manager Brent Flahr, who spoke with Charlie O’Connor of The Athletic. When asked if Gauthier could be a one-and-done player at BC, Flahr wouldn’t commit, explaining that while players often want to go that route, it isn’t always best for their development.
The decision won’t come until after the college season ends, and they have a full examination of where Gauthier’s game stands. There is still more than a month left in the Eagles’ schedule, plus the potential of a playoff run if they can get things moving in the right direction. Plenty of time, anyway, for Gauthier to impress the Flyers front office enough to earn an entry-level contract at the end of the year.
To be clear, there is no risk of losing Gauthier’s rights if he decides to go back to school. Philadelphia holds them until the summer of 2026, and there’s virtually no chance of the big forward waiting that long before turning pro.