Headlines

Go To MLB Trade Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Jacob Gaucher

Philadelphia Flyers Recall Jacob Gaucher, Reassign Anthony Richard

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

Feb. 8th: According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Richard has gone through waivers unclaimed. Philadelphia announced they’ve reassigned Richard to AHL Lehigh Valley and have recalled forward Jacob Gaucher in a corresponding roster move.

Feb. 7th: The Flyers have placed center Anthony Richard on waivers with intent to reassign him to AHL Lehigh Valley, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports Friday. Whether he clears or not, he’ll be the second corresponding transaction as the Flyers look to activate Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier from the non-roster list before tomorrow’s game against the Penguins after reassigning forward Jacob Gaucher earlier today.

Richard, 28, has played eight straight games since being recalled on Jan. 22. It was the smooth-skating pivot’s second recall of the season after a weeks-long trial in the NHL back in November.

The ninth-year pro signed a two-year, two-way deal with the Flyers in the offseason and has been a quality depth scorer when called upon. He has two goals and four assists across the pair of recalls, averaging 12:22 per game with good possession numbers (49.4 CF%, +2.2 expected rating at even strength). It’s the 5’10” forward’s third straight season seeing NHL ice after brief action with the Canadiens and Bruins in 2021-22 and 2022-23.

A longtime farmhand in the Predators’ system after they selected him fourth overall in 2015, he’s suited up for five organizations in the past four years after a mid-season trade in 2022 sent him to the Lightning. He was a decent depth scorer there but has only broken out in earnest post-COVID, clicking above a point per game in the minors since 2022-23. When on assignment to Lehigh Valley this season, Richard has 8-11–19 in 18 games with a plus-six rating.

The Quebec native needed waivers today because he’s played more than 10 games since last clearing during training camp. His strong point production in both leagues this season and experience playing down the middle means there’s a solid chance an offense-needy team takes a flyer on the veteran on the wire, but if not, Philly will be thrilled to keep him around as a reliable recall option.

Flyers Reassign Jacob Gaucher

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Flyers have reassigned forward Jacob Gaucher to AHL Lehigh Valley, per a team announcement. Doing so opens one of the two roster spots they’ll need to activate Andrei Kuzmenko and Jakob Pelletier from the non-roster list ahead of their Philly debuts tomorrow against the Penguins, which was delayed due to visa issues after their acquisition from the Flames last week.

Gaucher, 23, was signed to a two-year entry-level contract in December after spending parts of three seasons on minor-league deals with Lehigh Valley. He’d spent time in the ECHL as recently as last season but landed a fringe depth role with the Phantoms, posting 8-8–16 with a -7 rating in 59 AHL contests in 2023-24. It was a significant step forward for the 6’3″ pivot, who was still finding his footing in the pros after finishing off his junior career with a 68-point campaign for the QMJHL’s Baie-Comeau Drakkar in 2021-22.

This year, Gaucher had a strong camp with Philly on a tryout and returned to the Phantoms rejuvenated. He’s operating at over double last season’s point-per-game pace, and his plus-one rating is tied for ninth on the team. He totaled 14-13–27 in 44 games before receiving his first NHL call-up last Saturday.

Gaucher served as the Flyers’ fourth-line center for their last three contests, going without a point but managing three shots on goal and winning nine out of 13 faceoffs. He averaged 7:30 per game, all at even strength, and posted strong possession numbers in limited minutes with a 53.3 CF% and a +0.1 expected rating.

His reassignment also comes as Ryan Poehling, the Flyers’ usual fourth-line pivot, returned to practice today in a non-contact jersey, per Jackie Spiegel of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Poehling, who’s on injured reserve, has been out with Jan. 16 with an upper-body injury and has missed 10 games. He’ll presumably miss tomorrow’s game against Pittsburgh but should be good to go when the team resumes its schedule after the 4 Nations Face-Off later this month. His return indicates that recent call-ups Rodrigo Abols and Anthony Richard will likely join Gaucher on the road back to Lehigh Valley over the break.

Flyers Recall Emil Andrae And Jacob Gaucher

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

With their newest players unavailable due to visa issues, the Flyers have brought in some extra reinforcements.  The team announced (Twitter link) that they have recalled defenseman Emil Andrae and center Jacob Gaucher from AHL Lehigh Valley.  To make room on the roster, Egor Zamula was placed on injured reserve while newcomer Andrei Kuzmenko has a non-roster designation.

Andrae has split the season between the Flyers and Phantoms.  With Philadelphia, the 22-year-old has suited up in 20 games, picking up five points along with 28 blocks and 22 hits while averaging 19:18 of playing time.  He has been a bit more productive with Lehigh Valley with nine points in 15 outings with them.  With Erik Johnson absent from practice today, it’s possible that Andrae could be counted on for Sunday’s game in Colorado.

As for Gaucher, it’s his first recall after his minor league deal was converted to an entry-level pact in December.  The 23-year-old has done well this season with the Phantoms, notching 14 goals and 13 assists in 44 games, well surpassing his rookie-year numbers in fewer games.  Gaucher’s 27 points put him in a tie for second on Lehigh Valley in scoring, two behind leader Samu Tuomaala.

As for making roster room, Kuzmenko and winger Jakob Pelletier were acquired from Calgary on Thursday.  However, both players are dealing with visa-related concerns and are not yet available to the team.  Their debuts may have to wait until Tuesday in Utah.  Zamula, meanwhile, has missed the last week with an upper-body injury.  His retroactive IR placement came on Friday, meaning he’s eligible to be activated at any time.

Flyers Sign Jacob Gaucher To Entry-Level Deal

at CDT | by Leave a Comment

The Flyers announced that they’ve signed center Jacob Gaucher to a two-year, entry-level contract. PuckPedia later reported that Gaucher’s deal carries an $872.5K cap hit and breaks down as follows:

2024-25: $775K NHL salary, $80K signing bonus, $85K minors salary
2025-26: $800K NHL salary, $90K signing bonus, $15K games played bonus, $85K minors salary

Gaucher, 23, lands his first NHL contract amid his third professional season, all of which have been spent in the Philadelphia organization on an AHL contract. The older brother of Ducks first-rounder Nathan Gaucher is now eligible for a call-up and counts against their 50-contract limit, which now stands at 45 with five open slots.

The 6’3″ pivot has stuck in the AHL with Lehigh Valley full-time this season after seeing action with ECHL Reading in each of the last two years. He’s broken out for 10 goals and five assists for 15 points in 23 games, leading the team in goals and ranking fourth in points.

The former captain of the QMJHL’s Baie-Comeau Drakkar is just one point shy of tying the 16 he had in 59 games with Lehigh Valley last season, his first in the AHL. Gaucher spent the entirety of 2022-23, his first professional season, on assignment to Reading, where he racked up 22 goals and 39 assists for 61 points in 71 games.

Gaucher certainly still qualifies as a prospect, albeit one on the older end – he was initially eligible for the 2019 draft. He’ll be a restricted free agent upon expiry of his ELC in 2026.

Pro Hockey Rumors is not affiliated with National Hockey League, NHL or NHL.com

scroll to top