In the midst of Monday evening’s NHL games, the Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have traded Cutter Gauthier’s rights to the Anaheim Ducks, getting Jamie Drysdale and a 2nd round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft in return. The news comes as a bit of a surprise, as the Flyers drafted Gauthier fifth overall in 2022 and it seemed as though they were building the future of their franchise around him & their first round draft pick in 2023.
Gauthier reportedly informed the Flyers that he would not sign in Philadelphia, prompting them to make this trade.
Sources say Cutter Gauthier informed #Flyers organization he did not want to play in Philadelphia.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) January 9, 2024
Gauthier joins former Eagles Nikita Nesterenko and Drew Helleson in the Ducks organization, both of whom are playing with their AHL affiliate currently but have played games with the NHL club in the past.
Gauthier currently has 23 points in 17 games this season and has 60 points in 49 games at BC so far. He’ll be returning to BC for the second semester fresh off a gold medal at World Juniors and being named the tournament’s best forward.