A few months after Philadelphia selected him with the No. 5 pick of the 2022 draft, Cutter Gauthier told the team he didn’t want to be a Flyer.
The Flyers kept that information in-house until Monday, when the Boston College star forward got his wish and was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round draft pick.
Flyers general manager Danny Briere said Gauthier told the team he was “built to be a Flyer and wanted to be a Flyer,” when he was drafted but soon changed his tune.
“So, in our mind at first, we have to protect him,” Briere said. “If he changes his mind again, and it’s out there that he doesn’t want to play, it’s going to be tough for him to put the uniform on.”
Flyers coach John Tortorella cut to the chase when asked about Gauthier’s comments after Monday’s 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
“Then we don’t want you,” Tortorella said.
“I don’t know Cutter from a hole in the wall,” he added. “I’m not too interested in talking about him. I’d rather talk about Jamie. He’s the guy who’s coming here.”
Gauthier, 19, is fresh off leading the U.S. to victory at the IIHF world junior hockey championship last week in Sweden. With two goals and 12 points in seven games, he finished tied for first in scoring as the Americans won their sixth gold medal.
“At some point, we had to make a decision and we thought with what happened a few days ago, that this was our time to get the highest value,” Briere said, adding that the team tried to contact Gauthier several times recently and never got a reply from his advisers.
From the Ducks’ perspective, Gauthier — who hasn’t signed his entry-level contract yet — is poised to become part of their talented young core, which includes 2023 No. 2 pick Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras.
Gauthier is enjoying a strong sophomore season for BC, with 13 goals and 23 points in 17 games. As a freshman, he posted 16 goals and 37 points in 32 games.
Drysdale, the No. 6 pick of the 2020 draft, has only played one full season (2021-22) due to injuries. That season, he had four goals and 28 assists in 81 games, but he has only played 18 games over the past two seasons.
Despite Drysdale’s injury issues, Tortorella gushed about the 21-year-old blueliner.
“Just talked to Jamie and watched a lot of tape on him and obviously, had discussions. We’re really excited about the opportunity,” he said. “A 21-year-old right-handed shot. We’re going to put him on the power play right away — one of them. He’s just starting. Kid’s head’s spinning right now. It’s his first time at this, but we’re really excited about the opportunity. To get a second-rounder, it’s a really good deal for us.”
–Field Level Media