An in-depth breakdown of the Gauthier - Drysdale trade between the Philadelphia Flyers and Anaheim Ducks.

On Monday, The Philadelphia Flyers made a blockbuster move to acquire defenceman Jamie Drysdale, 21, and a 2025 second-round draft pick in exchange for highly sought-after prospect 19-year-old Cutter Gauthier.

Drysdale, a Toronto native, has one goal and four assists with the Anaheim Ducks this season, his fourth season in the NHL after Anaheim selected him with the sixth overall pick in 2020 — two years before Gauthier was drafted. He will carry a low cap hit, at $2.3 million over the next three years, with $6.9 million value carrying over from the Duck Capital of the World.

Gauthier returned to Boston College after the World Junior Hockey Championship in Sweden, after posting 10 assists and two goals in seven games. He took home Gold for Team USA. However, in Sweden, things spiralled, and this ordeal gained significant ground after reportedly months of negotiating and hush-hush conversations. 

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly:

Gauthier was drafted fifth overall in 2022. He expressed to Danny Briere and management that he was born to wear orange and black. Just not the Flyers' orange and black. "Gauthier told us at the draft that he was built to be a Flyer, he wanted to be a Flyer," Briere told the media during Monday night's game against Pittsburgh.

Briere said that Gauthier's camp told them after the 2022-23 World Championships that he would not play for the Flyers. They wanted to resolve these underlying issues. They gave Gauthier time and space and tried to protect a young kid, but ultimately, he never changed his mind. 

"I don't know. We never got an answer." Danny Briere, when asked about why Cutter Gauthier did not want to play in the City of Brotherly Love. "I don't know much more than that."

Gauthier's camp, agents, and himself have been quiet despite the hard-hitting news and rumours. TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun reached out to Gauthier's representative and agents overseas and said they are going to "clear the air in the next couple of days," LeBrun said during SC with Jay Onrait. "We don't really know 100% why Cutter Gauthier did not want to sign with the Flyers."

Cutter Gauthier wouldn't answer phone calls from the Flyers brass — Keith Jones and Danny Briere, let alone meet face-to-face with them. The two of them travelled to Sweden in an attempt to get things back on track, rather than having to move on from him. Gauthier wanted no part of it and forced management's hand.

Multiple sources confirmed Gauthier did not want to be a Flyer, resulting in General Manager Danny Briere dealing the winger in secret and engaging with upwards of 18-20 teams, Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff reports. 

Gauthier did not attend development camp last season and shared that it wasn't a popular decision. Briere was not happy with the choice nor were his future teammates. However, Gauthier reassured the higher-ups that he would be a Flyer after his final year at Boston College. “After talking to Danny, obviously it wasn't his favourite thing, but it was best for me,” Gauthier said.

His choice to skip development camp did not sit right with the locker room. "As a player in the locker room, that was something that stayed with us." Travis Sanheim said after Monday's 4-1 loss to the Penguins. "For as long as I've known you show up to development camp, whether you skate or not. If he doesn't want to be here, we're happy to move on."

To make matters more interesting, reportedly the Flyers quietly shopped Gauthier at the 2022 NHL draft. Charlie O'Connor of PHLY Flyers reported they tried to swap him for the No. 5 pick, presumably to land David Reinbacher, to ensure Matvei Michkov was available at seventh overall. Montreal said no. 

Pat Verbeek, the Anaheim Ducks general manager, has reportedly had a keen interest in Gauthier since day one, dating back to the 2022 NHL Draft. "He tried to trade for another first-round pick at the 2022 draft to draft Cutter Gauthier." TSN Insider Pierre LeBrun said during a segment with Jay Onrait. "Pat Verbeek has had his eye on him for a couple of years and obviously stayed with it." 

Both Keith Jones and Danny Briere have been very open about the rocky relationship they had with Gauthier, no pun intended. The Flyers viewed him as a winger. Gauthier thought more of himself and he wanted out of the City of Brotherly Love.

"If you don't want to be a Flyer, you're not going to be a Flyer and we were very pleased with the return that we got. We got a player that we coveted and were searching for in a right-handed shooting defenseman that was a former sixth overall pick." Keith Jones told Jim Jackson and Brian Boucher during NBCSNP intermission. "His value was never going to be higher than it was after the World Junior Championships."

John Tortorella spoke his mind after the Flyers' 4-1 loss to the Penguins on Monday. Not about the losses the club suffered, but rather the moral win overall. "I don't know Cutter from a hole in the wall, I'm not so interested in talking about him, I rather talk about Jamie. He's the guy coming here."

It is safe to say Gauthier has created an enemy for life with the Flyers' faithful and management. "I feel bad for Cutter, well I don't really feel bad for Cutter when he comes to Philadelphia. It's gonna be a rough ride here and he earned it. We're Philadelphians, and we want people who want to be here with us." CEO and chairman Dan Hilferty said on Snow The Goalie: A Flyers Podcast, "Philadelphians have long memories. Google: 'J.D. Drew' and 'batteries.'"

Kevin Hayes, The Good & Bad:

Shortly after the news broke out across social media, Anthony SanFilippo of Crossing Broad and Host of Snow The Goalie Podcast said a member of the Flyers organization thinks Kevin Hayes had his "fingerprints" all over Gauthier's decision to not sign in Philadelphia.

In 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks drafted Hayes 24th overall. He spent four years at Boston College — the same school as Gauthier, and like Cutter, both decided to not sign with the teams that drafted them. 

Despite extensive negotiations, Hayes felt it was in his best interest to become a free agent and test his luck elsewhere. Similar to Gauthier's situation, taking the trade route instead. Rumours spread that Hayes likely told Gauthier to play in college for a few more years and then play for practically whoever he wanted to.

Gauthier spoke highly of Hayes in an interview with Philly Hockey Now in March 2023. "[Hayes] reached out to me and we actually met up and went golfing. Such a great guy," Gauthier said. "Definitely a role model of mine, someone to look up to moving forward."

There are rumours that Hayes got into Gauthier's head about playing for John Tortorella after him and Hayes didn't meet eye to eye during his time in Philadelphia. That has not been confirmed, but Hayes denied having any involvement. 

"Whoever that is is a complete clown and anyone who thinks I had anything to do with this doesn't have a brain," Hayes told Ryan Whitney of Spittin' Chiclets about Anthony SanFilippo. "This guy is a f*cking clown and making s*it up."

Hayes also spoke with Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic 

More politely, Charlie O'Connor of PHLY Flyers reached out to Hayes regarding the rumours. Hayes stuck to his guns and said, "I have never said a negative thing about Torts or the organization to him in my life."

Jamie Drysdale, The Good:

Drysdale, drafted during COVID-19, was forced into a role he wasn't necessarily ready for, despite being a sixth overall draft pick. The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) was shut down, so due to very unique and odd circumstances, he played in his first season shortly after being drafted. 

Albeit having four NHL seasons under his belt, he has only played one at full length. He only missed one out of 82 regular season games in the 2021-22 season. In 123 games, Drysdale has 8 goals, 37 assists, and 45 points in his young career.

During an immediate press conference after the Flyers acquired Drysdale, Briere took the floor and said the organization practically jumped at his name when they heard it.

"When his name was made available, we got really excited," Briere told the media. "A chance to add a player of this calibre to a premium position, as a right shot defenseman...made a lot of sense and it was the right time to do it."

The Flyers brass realized that this was the right decision for all parties involved, especially after Drysdale was made available. Briere could not stress enough that he was truly a special player. "The chance to add him, they don't come very often."

Using Dobber Prospects statistics, Mason Black's PNHLe data and collecting my own from each individual's game, this could be a home run for the Philadelphia Flyers in the long run, at least on paper. It's a matter of translating it to the NHL level more consistently. With the proper development and the groundwork already laid out, associate coach Brad Shaw will play a massive role in Drysdale's future success.

Not to mention having to change one's game to be cohesive with Tortorella's style of play. The Flyers head coach is very pleased with Drysdale. They have already spoken over the phone. Both parties are excited about the future ahead. Drysdale will be expected in Voorhees, NJ, for a full skate with the club on Tuesday, Jan. 9.

If everything goes well, expect Drysdale in the lineup as early as Jan. 10, when the Flyers take on the Montreal Canadiens in Philadelphia at 7:00 p.m. ET. Drysdale will wear No. 9 in a Philadelphia Flyers uniform, previously wearing No 34 and 6 in Anaheim. 

All things considered, there will most definitely be an adjustment period for the 21-year-old, based on the different style of play in Anaheim, but long term he will be a fantastic player. Tortorella's system differs from Anaheim's and Drysdale knows that. Flyers head coach said they don't want to throw too much at him too quickly. He would like Drysdale to focus on his offensive ability, "we'll teach him defense." Tortorella said.

Fans were quick to jump ship and rattle off concerns with Drysdale, which could not be more far-fetched. Among NHL defensemen, his upside is off the charts and quarterbacks special teams well. He is a speedy defenseman with an emphasis on elite skating ability, especially for his size. Considering the adjustment period, Flyers associate coach and penalty kill coach Brad Shaw will have another reclamation project on his hands.

Shaw has redeveloped a handful of Flyers during his time in the front office: Sean Walker, Rasmus Ristolainen, Nick Seeler, and Owen Tippett, among others. Four out of those five will likely be in trade talks as well at the deadline, with the addition of Drysdale.

Compared to the likes of Cutter Gauthier, the Flyers locker room and players feel a lot better about Drysdale. Flyers goaltender Carter Hart told Jordan Hall of NBCSP that he didn't know Cutter personally. All he heard was that he was a good player. Although he said Jamie Drysdale is a great player and a better person.

Travis Sanheim and Cam York are friends with the new Flyer, previously before ending up on the same team — and now likely linemates. Sanheim will see some time on the left side with the club's new addition. The organization wants to give Drysdale every opportunity they can in order to succeed. 

Drysdale will be on the first defensive pairing with Sanheim, moving back to the left side, see if things stay that way heading into Wednesday's game.

"This was a unique situation that was kind of thrown at us and we had to react appropriately," Jones said. "And so we did."

Related: Flyers Trade Star Prospect To Ducks

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Related: Kevin Hayes accepting that time with Flyers could be coming to an end

Related: Tortorella Keeps Flyers Accountable in Loss