Flyers Trade Cutter Gauthier in Stunning Blockbuster Deal
Danny Briere and the Philadelphia Flyers pulled a stunner on Monday night. They sent Cutter Gauthier to the Anaheim Ducks for Jamie Drysdale and a second-round pick in 2025.
Gauthier had no interest in playing in Philadelphia, according to Briere.
Danny Briere explained his knowledge of the decision made by Cutter Gauthier not to negotiate a contract to join the Flyers pic.twitter.com/iFpIW1w1gS
— Colin Newby (@ToNewbyginnings) January 9, 2024
Flyers Trade Cutter Gauthier
The Flyers selected Gauthier with the 5th-overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft out of the US National Development Team. He’s currently playing in his second season at Boston College. The Eagles sit atop the NCAA with a loaded offensive attack, and Gauthier leads the team in goals.
The trade came less than a week after Cutter Gauthier helped Team USA to a gold medal at the World Juniors in Sweden. He was tied for the tournament lead in scoring.
The first sign of trouble came when Gauthier chose to skip Flyers Development Camp in July. He had just compeeted for Team USA in the World Championships. His original reason was to limit his offseason workload. Danny Briere expressed mild displeasure about the decision, but there was no obvious discontent on either side before the midseason blockbuster.
Jim Iacovone pointed out that Gauthier didn’t show the most aggressive style at the World Juniors. He sometimes skipped out on puck pursuit looking for offensive opportunities.
He shouldn’t expect the warmest reception when he skates in an opposing uniform at the Wells Fargo Center during his NHL career. He’ll forever go down as the J.D. Drew of hockey.
Jamie Drysdale
The Ducks drafted Drysdale with the sixth-overall pick in 2020. He’s played 145 games in parts of four NHL seasons. His only full season came in 2021-22 when he scored four goals and added 28 assists. He will likely join the Flyers immediately for the game against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday.
Keith Jones has emphasized an organizational need for a deep pool of defensemen. Cam York and Travis Sanheim have played on the top pair for the Flyers during the 2023-24 season, but neither has extended experience in the role.
“You have a back end in hockey, your blue line, you’re going to be around a long time. That’s how it ends. So that’s a big focus for us, no doubt about it.” –Keith Jones on 97.5 The Fanatic
Danny Briere talked about Jamie Drysdale as the return package to the Flyers in the Cutter Gauthier blockbuster pic.twitter.com/f7yfr6bibS
— Colin Newby (@ToNewbyginnings) January 9, 2024
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6 Philadelphia Flyers Retired Numbers & 1 More That Deserves It
Bernie Parent #1
“Only the Lord saves more than Bernie Parent.”
Countless drivers in Philadelphia during the 1970s read the iconic bumper sticker about the future Hall of Fame goaltender. Parent accumulated Hall of Fame numbers over 13 NHL seasons, 10 of which included stints with the Flyers.
The real mark of his legacy came in the 1973-74 and 1974-75 seasons. He won the Vezina Trophy as the top goaltender in the NHL after both regular seasons. His 47 wins in 1973-74 stood as a league record until 2007.
Parent won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP for each of the only two Stanley Cups in franchise history after both of his Venzina seasons. The famed Broad Street Bullies built their reputation on intimidation and grit, but they never would’ve sniffed a Stanley Cup without Bernie Parent between the pipes.
Mark Howe #2
Mark Howe played six seasons in the WHA to begin his professional career and didn’t make his debut with the Flyers until age 27. However, he established himself as the indisputable best defenseman in franchise history.
He still holds franchise records for goals, assists, points, shorthanded goals, and plus/minus rating among defensemen. Most of the blueliners behind him in the major statistical categories played more games with the Flyers. Howe published a book cleverly named Gordie Howe’s Son in 2013.
Eric Lindros #88
The Flyers made arguably the biggest splash in NHL history when they acquired the rights to Eric Lindros in 1992 after some lengthy drama. He was supposed to be the next Wayne Gretzky, and his dynamic skill and intimidating power didn’t disappoint when he was on the ice. He won the Hart Trophy after the shortened 1994-95 season and helped the Flyers to an appearance in the 1997 Stanley Cup Final.
Concussions derailed the career of arguably the most talented hockey player ever to lace up the skates. He struggled to stay healthy in a stretch that infamously ended with a devastating hit from Scott Stevens in the 2000 Eastern Conference Final.
He ranks sixth in franchise history in scoring, but his 1.36 points per game average blows every other Flyers skater out of the water. The organization has properly moved on from disagreements with one of their all-time greats whose number has hung in the rafters of the Wells Fargo Center since 2018.
Claude Giroux #28
The Flyers were in Stanley Cup contention when Claude Giroux broke into the NHL. The crafty forward developed into the organizational centerpiece, but the team dragged through a forgettable era in franchise history during his captaincy.
Giroux is second in Flyers history in points, games played, and assists trailing only the legendary Bobby Clarke. He played on teams that won six total playoff series and recorded 73 postseason points, including an overtime goal in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2010. He has finished fourth or higher in Hart Trophy voting three times during his tenure in Philadelphia.
The Flyers will someday retire the number of one of their all-time greats who unfortunately never broke through with a Stanley Cup.
