In the span of 48 hours, former 2022 first-round draft pick Cutter Gauthier has become public enemy No. 1 in Philadelphia, and his camp is not exactly doing him any favours.
In the span of 48 hours, former 2022 first-round draft pick Cutter Gauthier has become public enemy No. 1 in Philadelphia, and his camp is not exactly doing him any favours.
In the span of 48 hours, former 2022 first-round draft pick Cutter Gauthier has become public enemy No. 1 in Philadelphia, and his camp is not exactly doing him any favours.
Gauthier's camp, agents, advisers, and himself have been quiet despite the ongoing rumours and news following his departure from Philadelphia to Anaheim for Jamie Drysdale and a 2025 second-round pick in return.
Gauthier wouldn't answer phone calls from the Flyers organization — Keith Jones and Danny Briere, among others, let alone meet face-to-face with them. Whether or not it was purposely ignoring the Flyers brass or not answering phones, Gauthier made it easy for fans to turn on him, not even just Philly fans.
TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun reached out to Gauthier's representative and agent, Kurt Overhardt, who said they would clear the air in the coming days. That was on Jan. 9. Since then, some statements have been made public. "It's a private issue between the player and his family," Gauthier's agent told LeBrun.
We may never know why Gauthier closed a chapter of his life that barely began, so rather than facing the music, his advisers have copped out and "chosen just to take the high road and leave all information private." Overhardt said.
Gauthier has stayed remotely quiet about the matter, as has his camp, but did release a brief statement while he was a guest on the "Light the Lamp" podcast. "It's kind of tough to talk about. It's a personal matter between myself, my family, and my agent." Gauthier said during his interview. "I'd like to officially say Kevin Hayes had zero conflict with anything that had to do with the trade... I can't really say too much about it, but I'm going to keep it to myself and my family."
Speaking to Jackie Siegel of the Philadelphia Inquirer: "It wasn't one specific reason why I asked for a trade, It was multiple, re-occurring issues that I'd seen over the past year and a half, two years of being under the Flyers organization,” Gauthier said. “Thinking 'I can't move forward with this' and 'I really need to step up for myself and see what's best for my future' and that's what I did."
These statements did little to answer the question on everyone's mind - why didn't Gauthier want to sign with the Flyers?
"We understand why people are upset, and people are allowed to be upset and make their own judgment. Gauthier's advisers continued. "But, on the other hand, along the same lines, when a college player is drafted by an NHL team, there's no entitlement by that team, nor is there a requirement by the player to have to sign there."
This did not sit well with fans, making Gauthier's side look bad and putting the stigma onto other college players to not draft them, and they should be able to do as they please. NHL Teams will take notice and reconsider their options when drafting from the NCAA/college level.
President of Hockey Operations Keith Jones and General Manager Danny Briere have been honest about what went down, compared to their supposedly future star. Gauthier thought more of himself and wanted out of the City of Brotherly Love. It can't get any more cut and dry than that.
Cutter Gauthier will reportedly sign his entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks after the conclusion of his final year at Boston College.
Siegel of the Philadelphia Inquirer summarized the situation this way: "It's been interesting how the Flyers brass has handled it. We just want it handled with integrity, and we know people will be upset with Cutter for his whole career. But as you know, in pro sports, you can't please everybody."
Related: Cutter Gauthier Duckin' Flyers; Jamie Drysdale Soars Into Philadelphia
Related: Flyers Trade Star Prospect To Ducks