Two highly regarded U-21 players are switching NHL teams, with Cutter Gauthier going to the Ducks and Jamie Drysdale joining the Flyers. Jacob Stoller has the video reaction.

The Anaheim Ducks and Philadelphia Flyers surprised the hockey world with a trade Monday evening.

Anaheim acquired left wing Cutter Gauthier from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick in the 2025 NHL draft.

Gauthier, 19, is just coming off a gold medal win for Team USA at the 2024 world juniors in Sweden. The 2022 fifth overall pick recorded 12 points in seven games and was named to the tournament all-star team. He's also in his sophomore year at Boston College, with 23 points in 17 games.

"This is a trade we felt we needed to make as a player with Cutter’s dynamic skill set are not available often," said Ducks GM Pat Verbeek in a written statement. "We see Cutter as a long-term, high-end player who produces in big moments."

Verbeek also thanked 21-year-old Drysdale for his four years in Anaheim after being drafted sixth overall in 2020.

Drysdale's only played 18 games in the past two seasons due to a shoulder injury last year and then a lower-body issue for most of this current campaign. In 10 games this season, he has four assists and five points. In total, Drysdale has 123 games of NHL experience with 37 assists and 45 points.

For more about what this means for both teams and for the players, here's Jacob Stoller: