The Ducks have reached an agreement with one of their top youngsters, announcing that they’ve signed forward Cutter Gauthier to a three-year, entry-level contract. The team confirmed that the first year of the contract will be this season, meaning he will be eligible to play in their final game of the season on Thursday against Vegas. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but PuckPedia reports (Twitter link) that it breaks down as follows:
2023-24: $855K salary, $95K signing bonus
2024-25: $855K salary, $95K signing bonus, $950K ’A’ performance bonuses
2025-26: $855K salary, $95K signing bonus, $950K ’A’ performance bonuses, $950K ’B’ performance bonuses
That puts the cap hit for Gauthier at $950K and the AAV at $1.9MM.
The 19-year-old was the fifth overall pick back in 2022, going to Philadelphia. At the time, it looked as if the Flyers had landed a key cog for their forward group for the future. However, last year, Gauthier informed them that he was not willing to sign with Philadelphia. The Flyers’ brass made efforts to try to convince him to change his mind but were unsuccessful.
Instead of waiting longer in the hopes he’d eventually have a change of heart, Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere opted to trade Gauthier while his value was at its peak not long after the World Juniors where he tied for the tournament lead in scoring with a dozen points in seven games. While many teams showed interest, it was Anaheim’s offer that the Flyers accepted, acquiring blueliner Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round pick in return.
After being a go-to scorer with the U.S. National Team Development Program, Gauthier became an impact scorer with the Eagles right away, recording 16 goals and 21 assists in 32 contests. This season, he took that even further, notching 38 goals along with 27 helpers in 41 appearances. While that wasn’t enough to lead the Eagles in scoring – San Jose’s Will Smith was six points ahead of him, he finished second in NCAA Division I scoring. Gauthier was named a Hobey Baker Hat Trick Finalist, NCAA All-American, and a Hockey East First Team All-Star for his efforts.
Gauthier, who spent the majority of the season at center, joins an Anaheim group of middlemen that is quickly becoming one of the deepest in the NHL. The Ducks already have 2021 third overall selection Mason McTavish, 2023 second overall pick Leo Carlsson, and Trevor Zegras (who went ninth in 2019) among their group of centers. That allows them to let Gauthier get his feet wet on the wing next season if they want although lots can change roster-wise between now and the time the puck drops on the 2024-25 campaign in October. Regardless, the Ducks now have another core forward under contract as their rebuild continues.
Another top guy who will fail in Anaheim and no one will notice or care
For real. The Ducks seem to put together top prospects every season and yet they are unwatchable every season
Cutter will love Anaheim. He won’t have to win any championships there, either.
Enjoy Anaheim buddy.
There will be lots of tears in anaheim
Denver U had all of Flyers nation voting for them yesterday, lol!
Why let this kid dictate the contract and sign him now…and burn one year of ELC with one game left?
Management needs some bawls. Because this is a joke
Because leverage. The kid has two years of eligibility left, and could have easily just kept playing college hockey until the point where he’d reenter the draft, and Anaheim would get nothing. Why wouldn’t Gauthier look for the best deal he could get?
Two years is a long time. What’s the rush?
Seems like this kid thinks he’s incredibly special. Fitting into the stereotypes of his generation no doubt.
He wants to play two more years and risk injury? Let him
By signing him for one game, to pay him $800,000 and burn a year, is embarrassing to management
Come now. He IS special. Exactly how many people in all the world are capable of playing NHL-level hockey? If you were one of only six, seven hundred people in all of creation who could do a certain job, yeah: you’d value your talent pretty highly, and like just about any other working stiff, you might actually fancy a choice as to what city you lived in. So would I. So would anyone.
NCAA players don’t recenter the draft. They become UFA when the signing rights expire.
Lmao . So funny people upset someone picked their spot. It is Philadelphia As the old saying. They booed santa claus . will americans cheer for him if plays for a Team U.S.A. Wonder feel same about american not wanting to play in canada. Zegras maybe he is a better fit In philadelphia. Torts and him would love each other. lmao
Director of Pro Development really lacking in ANA
For all of you naysayers – you should have watched a Ducks game this year. Very entertaining team going in the right direction. First year in too long that I can say that. Fast play, strong passing, physical forechecking. This trade was a risk and this deal minimizes that risk and ensures a return. The Ducks are deep in every position (except goaltending) with talented young players. I can honestly say that I am looking forward to next season – and to another good draft.
Welcome to Anaheim Cutter!! You will find out soon that the Anaheim fans are nothing like the Philly hateful. Great to have you here!!
You’re right about that because Anaheim could care less about Hockey. If he played well in Philly he would have been huge. Bad move which he still hasn’t had the guts to explain.