The Ducks held their development camp from July 1 to July 5, culminating in a 40-minute 3v3 scrimmage on Friday.

The Anaheim Ducks held their annual development camp during the first five days of July. They featured potential future core members of the organization like Cutter Gauthier, Beckett Sennecke, and Stian Solberg. 

Though not many significant overarching aspects can be concluded from a five-day skills camp, there were nuggets of insight to be found.

Cutter's Disregard for Complacency 

Gauthier was one of the best players outside of the NHL in 2023-24. 

He was a Hobey Baker finalist playing for Boston College, scoring 38 goals and 65 points in 41 games. He wore an "A" for the United States at the World Junior Championship, leading his team and co-leading the tournament in scoring with 12 points in seven games en route to a gold medal. 

He finished his campaign by playing in the Ducks' season finale against the Golden Knights in Las Vegas, tallying his first NHL point on a primary assist to set up defenseman Jackson LaCombe with the game-winning goal.

Ducks’ Cutter Gauthier speaks at development camp

Gauthier is among the favorites to win the 2025 Calder Trophy as the player "most proficient in his first year of competition" in the NHL. According to BetMGM, he is +500 to win the Calder, just behind Flyers forward Matvei Michkov (+350) and Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini (+400).

Simply put, Gauthier didn't need to attend the Ducks development camp.

By watching ten seconds of Gauthier running through any of the drills the Ducks' prospects were put through the week of camp, one would come to the conclusion he's head and shoulders above the rest and as NHL-ready as they come.

Ducks Development Camp Takeaway: Sennecke's Self-Awareness

He wasn't just there to go through the motions, however. He was competing with every stride, shot, and battle. 

He was there to learn from the Ducks' coaching staff and soak up as much information as possible. 

"Feels like I’ve known them a lot longer than I actually have,” Gauthier told THN's Derek Lee after an on-ice session when asked about the coaching staff and management. "I met a couple of them at the end of the year and throughout the season and after the trade happened. I have no complaints. It’s been a couple of great months with the organization.”

Gauthier's Dedication to Leadership

Ducks legend, all-time points leader, and 12-year captain Ryan Getzlaf joined the coaching staff to assist with on-ice instruction at this year's camp. Gauthier wasn't about to let an opportunity to work with the greatest Ducks player in history slip through his fingers.

Gauthier, a center who may project as an NHL winger, took it upon himself to pull Getzlaf aside after an on-ice session to help him refine his faceoff skills. 

That kind of assertiveness didn't go unnoticed by San Diego Gulls head coach Matt McIlvane. 

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"Cutter said right away, 'I want to be a leader for the guys who are experiencing camp for the first time.'" McIlvane said when asked what stuck out to him with Gauthier's camp. "For someone new to the organization to jump in and take on that responsibility right away, I applauded him for it."

Gauthier's game doesn't need much refinement or polish before jumping into the NHL for a potential Calder campaign in 2024-25. He took this opportunity to become more familiar with the organization, and its principles and set an example for players he will one day call teammates. 

Cutter Gauthier's Short-Term (and Long-Term) Fit in the Ducks' Lineup

“Yeah, it’s been great,” Gauthier said about meeting fellow Ducks prospects. “Maybe they’re not all going to make the (Ducks) this coming year, but they’re going to be here in the future. These are future teammates that you’ve got to grow bonds with and get used to for years to come."

Gauthier treated fans in attendance at development camp to a display of the skills he'll bring to his rookie season in the NHL come autumn. His shot is already one of the best in the world, the release quick, heavy, and accurate. His stride seems more fluid yet powerful, and his frame more solid. 

Gauthier is clearly seen as one of the most important pieces to the future of the Ducks organization and he's taking that responsibility seriously.

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Trade: Ducks Acquire Robby Fabbri and Draft Pick from Red Wings in exchange for Prospect