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Philadelphia Trades Cutter Gauthier To Ducks After Refusing To Play For The Flyers

Trey Daubert / NHL / January 9, 2024

Philadelphia Trades Cutter Gauthier To Ducks After Refusing To Play For The Flyers

Cutter Gauthier decided that he wanted to follow in the footsteps of JD Drew. Despite being drafted by the Flyers, Gauthier decided that he had no interest in playing for the city of Philadelphia. Daniel Briere and Keith Jones aren’t playing games and quickly decided to trade him.

Gauthier has been traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Jamie Drysdale and a second round pick.

The Flyers team account were the first to report the news.

TRADE ALERT: We have acquired defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a second-round selection in the 2025 NHL Draft from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward Cutter Gauthier. https://t.co/sxQDDJRVtD
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 9, 2024

Frank Seravalli at Daily Faceoff was the first to reveal that this trade happened because Gauthier was essentially refusing to sign.

Sources say Cutter Gauthier informed #Flyers organization he did not want to play in Philadelphia.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 9, 2024

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The Flyers brass wasn’t shy about this at all. Briere, Jones, and head coach John Tortorella all chimed in. Torts didn’t really say much on Gauthier other than lowkey insulting him by calling him a “hole in the wall” (Bagdonas has a post coming on that shortly).

Both Briere and Jones both addressed the media on the matter.

Flyers GM Daniel Briere meets with the media to discuss the trade with Anaheim and acquiring defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 2nd round NHL Draft pick. #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/ACEmUYBZvr
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 9, 2024

"He's an extremely popular player and a great person."

Flyers President of Hockey Operations Keith Jones discusses the acquisition of defenseman Jamie Drysdale and the trade with Anaheim. #LetsGoFlyers pic.twitter.com/4xsSxECCB1
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 9, 2024

Both Briere and Jones reiterated much of the same message. They felt they were selling high on Gauthier after winning the MVP Award at the World Juniors after he helped lead Team USA to the gold. If Gauthier didn’t want to be a Flyer, they didn’t want him.

You never know with prospects but Gauthier sure seems to have potential to become a premium goal scorer. Gauthier was selected by the Flyers 5th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. Something Andrew covered to a pretty good extent if you want to know more about the new Ducks farmhand.

What’s funny is just a few months ago Philly said that Gauthier was the only untouchable on the roster. It turns out he’s the only player they’ve traded since the start of the 2023-24 NHL Season. Weird…

The Flyers receive Jamie Drysdale and a second rounder in this trade. Drysdale has potential to be a high end offensive defenseman. He just needs to stay healthy. Drysdale has only played in 10 games this season notching five points. He only played eight games the season before. Keeping him healthy will be the key to this deal working out.

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