The Philadelphia Flyers announced on Monday that they are trading forward Cutter Gauthier, considered the team’s top prospect, to the Anaheim Ducks.
The Ducks will send defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a second-rounder in 2025 to the Flyers in exchange for Gauthier.
Speaking with the reporters on Monday, Flyers’ general manager Danny Briere said that he made the trade because Gauthier didn’t want to play for the franchise.
“He told us he didn’t want to be a Flyer and didn’t want to play for the Flyers,” Briere said. “So, in our mind, at first, we have to protect him. 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.”
The Philadelphia Flyers drafted Gauthier with the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft and were expecting him to join the franchise after he finishes his time at Boston College. However, the 19-year-old player apparently stopped communicating with the team, with his representatives ignoring calls from Briere.
Gauthier recently helped the U.S. win a gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, scoring two goals and adding 10 assists. His 12 points were tied for most in the tournament.
According to Briere, Gauthier’s good outing was part of why the team pulled the trigger on the trade.
“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.
Jamie Drysdale is currently in his third season as a pro. The former sixth overall pick in 2020 has played 123 games in the NHL, contributing with eight goals and 45 points overall.
